Freebie frenzy

Portland State students, numbering around 4,500, turned out for Party in the Park 2009 in hopes of getting students involved with various student groups and campus activities.

The event, which took place yesterday in the South Park Blocks outside Smith Memorial Student Union, has been an annual campus tradition since 1990. It is organized by Student Activities and Leadership Programs with the help of Campus Recreation, and is meant to promote student involvement and showcase as many student groups as possible.

Christian Aniciete, events coordinator for SALP, expressed his satisfaction with the turnout.

“I’m very, very pleased. I’m inspired,” Aniciete said. “It’s so amazing to be able to see the campus come together at such a large scale event. It was fun.”

Many groups utilized unique displays on their tables to attract prospective members. The Jewish Student Union had a hookah set up because it is both attention-grabbing and a part of Middle Eastern culture, JSU treasurer and sophomore Austin Riley said.

The Women’s Resource Center had free condoms available at its table, as well as T-shirts with feminist messages.

Party in the Park also offered free lunch to students who visited at least four groups, an offer that most attendees took full advantage of.

Groups were pleased with the turnout and excited about sharing their goals with new students.

“We want to let people know about our organization and how to get involved politically,” said Kira Woodworth, a member of the International Socialist Organization.

Organizers expect planning for next year’s event, its 20th year, to begin soon now that Party in the Park 2009 has wrapped.