About 8,000 students expected to attend Mainstage
Nearly 8,000 students are expected to flock to the parking lot near Kelly-Shorts Stadium this Saturday for Mainstage.
The end of the summer student event is scheduled to run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in parking lot 62 East. This school year kickoff event allows for new and returning students to acclimate themselves to university life again.
Dani Rossman, assistant director for the Office of Student Activities and Involvement, said an estimated 300 Registered Student Organizations and 100 local businesses are expected to be in attendance.
Here, students will be able to pick up free handouts such as planners, posters, and coupons for restaurants and shops around town. They'll also have the opportunity to meet leaders of student organizations and sign up for clubs and volunteer opportunities.
What to expect at Mainstage 2016
Mainstage is a time when students can figure out organizations to join, sororities or fraternities to pledge, and clubs to sign up for. Here are just some of the groups people can expect to see at Mainstage 2016:
Academic Organizations:
From the Student Government Association to the Speech Language and Hearing Club, students will have the opportunity to meet presidents and members of more than 300 Registered Student Organizations.
Greek Life:
Fraternities and sororities are a staple of campus life at most colleges. Students will have the ability to meet with the different Greek Life organizations here and have to opportunity to learn more about them before deciding if it’s right for them to make the pledge.
Community Stores and Chains:
Businesses like Meijer, Walmart, local salons and stores will also be setting up booths for students to peruse and get themselves familiar with life outside of campus.
"Mainstage is a great opportunity for students to get involved on campus and to figure out (which student organizations_ they want to spend their time with," Rossman said.
While Rossman said the event will be largely similar to past years, this year the Clare-based radio station 95.3 CFX will also be live on location. Students will be able to take part in giveaways from the contemporary hits radio station, as well as participate in on-air interviews.
The event is free and open to the public.
