The Student Organization Achievement Recognition (SOAR) program linked to the House of Representatives, a subset of the Student Government Association (SGA), provides service to organizations on campus and established the House Party during the 2017 spring semester.
Located in the atrium, the House Party took place on Tuesday, Jan. 16, where a variety of organizations clustered in the middle while a few clubs were scattered across the top floor. The party has free pizza and games as well as raffles and was DJ-ed by WWSU.
A student could find multiple opportunities to join a sorority or fraternity or they could be invited to join. “The House Party is a place where we can table and try to get more girls for our sorority,” said Emily Herting, a UAB volunteer and part of Phi Sigma Rho, and mentioned their sorority limits due to majors.
Religious affiliated groups were also around and if a person had interest in an activist like organization, many were found on both floors.
“It brings people the opportunity to maybe join the club,” Kat Madison said.
Zack Majors, 21, likened the event “similar to April Craze, but smaller.” Both Madison and Majors identified as Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance members.
The House Party is a “way to get the word out about who we are and what we offer on campus,” according to Aaliyah Mcclure, an African American Residential Caucus Club member
Athletic and academic clubs also played a part. Morgan Karr, a Gymnastics Club member, discussed their organization’s size difference versus the other clubs and how their crowds have varied from last year to this year’s event.
University Activities Board (UAB) had teased about their incoming spring surprise on social media days before; they made their announcement at 12:30 to an eager crowd. Gabriel Iglesias, a comedian, will be coming to the Nutter Center on March 22, UAB stated. Over 9,000 tickets will be made available to the public and to students, according to UAB Vice President Rael Sammeroff who said the hype will be “on the same plane as Kevin Hart.”
Last year’s House Party had about 49 organizations and reached full capacity, according to Speaker of the House of Representatives Nathan Price, while this year’s event was expected to host over 50 organizations and reach full capacity once more.
