Some registered student organizations are going beyond the typical 10-foot square this year to promote their organization at Quad Day. A demonstration area will be added to the event Sunday where organizations can showcase larger, nonstandard displays.
From noon to 4 p.m., the Quad will host over 600 RSO displays and performances to promote the various extracurricular opportunities on campus. Most organizations will be arranged in categories throughout the Quad, labeled by colorful 17-foot banners, said Scott Carrico, Quad Day coordinator.
Quad Day is the biggest recruiting day of the year for RSOs to find new members who will keep their organization going for the next four or more years, Carrico said.
The area behind Foellinger Hall will have a Campus Recreation portable rock-climbing wall, Greek organization booths and live DJ from WPGU. (Like The Daily Illini, WPGU is a part of the Illini Media Company.)
In the courtyard between Noyes Laboratory and Davenport Hall on the east side of the Quad, 20 organizations will occupy the new demonstration area. Carrico said for a larger application fee, organizations could choose a larger space for more interactive displays.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Illini Pride Student Athletic Board president Daniel Borup, senior in Engineering, said Quad Day is the best chance to get the group’s name out, especially to new students. They wanted an opportunity to promote the organization beyond standing at a table handing out flyers, he said.
Illini Pride will host giveaways and contests at their trailer, which will be parked in their spot on the Quad. Illini football and basketball players will participate in games at the trailer throughout the day, such as shooting games or tailgate style games, Borup said. Prizes will include T-shirts, candy and other free swag.
The Illini Automotive Club also wanted a larger space to showcase their work. Alex Kim, former president of the club and recent graduate, plans to park its club vehicle for display in their spot.
Members of the club acquired the vehicle for a low price and are working on fixing it up for an autocross race in Rantoul Labor Day weekend. The display will include videos of autocross and car maintenance demonstrations, such as checking a car’s oil and changing a flat tire.
“We will be able to showcase the core value of our club, which is all about interacting with cars, driving and engineering,” Kim said.
The only obstacle: getting the car on the Quad before pedestrians wake up around 7 a.m.
The Illini Bodybuilding Club will use their demonstration area to get more students interested in becoming more fit, said club founder James Adams, graduate student in accounting.
“We’re going to have some members pose and show off a little bit,” Adams said.
They also plan on bringing a set of dumbbells to demonstrate lifting techniques. This is the third year Adams set up a booth at Quad Day, which he said helps attract new members.
Other demonstrations include mini performances by The What You Will Shakespeare Company and a photo tour of Greece by the Hellenic Student Association.
“I think both for new students and returning students, (Quad Day) is a great opportunity — it’s the biggest one-stop shop for RSOs,” Carrico said.
For a complete list of RSOs, visit “www.illinois.collegiatelink.net”:www.illinois.collegiatelink.net.