It had been a grueling task. She’d made endless phone calls, sent out letters, drew up lists of representatives, canvassed for volunteers and handed out fliers to every passing student. And now, as the appointed hour drew near, she was nervous.
“What if nobody shows up,” she worried.

However, soon after 11 a.m. last Thursday, Evans’ fears evaporated as streams of people flooded the Free Speech area near the campus bookstore and cafeteria.

It was the perfect location for the event, since the line for the bookstore snaked past the rows of metal tables bedecked with blue and white balloons, brochures, pamphlets and freebies enticing students to find out more about each of the many services available to students on campus.

As the liaison between the Associated Students and all SMC student services, Evans is committed to giving references and information to anyone needing assistance with academic, social, financial and personal matters. The event also provided an opportunity to network with other students.

Although primarily aimed at new students, many returning students would also discover for the first time that they have access to a wide range of services that include psychological counseling, health care, child care, scholarships, financial aid, assistance from campus police and instructional support, such as the use of computers in the Cayton Center.

“That’s why we encourage everyone to pay the $10 Associated Students fee every semester,” said Evans, explaining why all these services are offered at no extra charge to the thousands of new, returning and international students on campus.

Second year student, Ada Jauregui was one of the many returning students who had little idea of what her A.S fee covered. “I am only now becoming aware of all that’s available to me as a student,” she said, having just learned from the Resource Fair representatives about ticket discounts, clubs and computer access.

Associated Student President, Luis Barrera, was not surprised that so many students hadn’t previously taken full advantage of the services offered.

“With SMC being a matriculation school, like most community colleges, many students just come to class and leave afterwards without realizing all the services available that could help them,” said Barrera.

By making everyone aware, through the Resource Fair, Barrera and Evans hope to get students acclimated to the campus, make use of the services and meet new people.

“It’s important to get involved,” said Evans, “especially in a community college where people come from all over and may find it difficult to form friendships or ask for help.”

Getting involved can also entail becoming a member of one or more of the student clubs. This year, for the first time, Evans worked together with the chairman of the Inter-Club Council, Marcos Lazaro, to have various clubs represented at the fair as well.

The ICC is another organization within the student body, supporting and promoting the activities of all student clubs, which range in interests from business to the environment to social or political affairs.

Although the final club list for Fall 2002 will be available mid-September, Lazaro wanted to create early awareness of the many types of clubs students can join.

“We used to have Club Row in the middle of the semester, when the various clubs would be promoted. But that’s too late,” said Lazaro. He’s hoping that 60 clubs will be registered with the ICC this year.

“Joining a club is a great way to practice your abilities and hobbies, meet a lot of people with similar interests and have fun in school,” said Lazaro.

An hour and a half later, as the crowd thinned and the volunteers started packing up, Lazaro, Evans and Barrera were satisfied that the Campus Resource Fair had accomplished their goal of creating awareness.

“By knowing what’s available, students will be more at ease on campus and more successful. That’s our main goal - student success,” said Evans.