Four days before Valentine's Day, UB's academic spine was packed on Thursday by Student Association clubs promoting "Love Your SA Day" with chocolate, carnations, and condoms.
"In a way it has become an SA tradition," said SA Vice President Dela Yador. "This is the least we can do for the clubs. They are the most active part of SA because there are so many of them."
Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., 92 of SA's clubs, ranging from sports to science and politics, lined up tables from the Student Union through Capen Hall giving out Valentine's goodies.
Although the clubs are the most active part of SA, club membership is less than the attendance of large SA events like Fall Fest, Yador said. Now in its fifth year, Yador said he hopes more students will get involved because of "Love Your SA Day."
Club members also said they hoped being visible to students walking to and from classes would generate interest.
"I think with the level of apathy on campus it is truly difficult to reach the students," said Ayo Onikutu, president of Community Action Corp and a senior history major. "Having a table outside classrooms allows students to stop and talk to each club and understand what they are about. Having this day is better then nothing."
Cuong Nguyen, a junior art history major who is a member of the ballroom dance club, Generation, the gymnastics club and Art History SA, said he thinks SA has a wide selection of clubs and choices so that almost any student on campus can find something they're interested in.
Other students said they enjoy the yearly event for the atmosphere that it brings to campus for a day.
"It is great to see everybody hanging out even when the weather is dismal," said Brad Schwagler, senior computer engineering major and vice president of the men's volleyball club.
Yador said any success from "Love Your SA Day" this year is the result of SA being on top of things.
"We learned from last year and made sure that we plan ahead of time to give the clubs plenty of preparation time," he said.
"This year we have been consistent to get ahead of things and the organization can be attributed to the directors of SA and staff members," added SA Treasurer Jessica Dangler.
For some students who have participated in this day before, the novelty of it has worn off a little bit.
"It is the same thing every year," said Matthew Pelkey, a junior legal studies major and president of College Republicans. "It is chocolate, condoms and carnations. For first year students it is new, but for me it is getting old."
Yador said the SA provides the basics of chocolate, condoms, carnations, and tables for each club, but it is up to the clubs to think of a creative way to call attention to their table.
Some students said they feel the sudden promotion and gathering of all the clubs at once is a lot to take in.
"I think it is great how they are putting the option right out there for the students," said Aaron Wolk, senior psychology major.
"I think that it is good," said Alex Dahl, junior psychology major. "However, I don't stop at any of the stations because I feel it is a little overwhelming."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
