The University’s 42nd annual Quad Day was met with 90 degree heat, yet students still arrived well before noon, the event’s designated start time, ready to see the host of organizations the University could offer them. The event kick-started with performances in front of Foellinger Auditorium, including those by the University’s Marching Band, the Illinettes and the Illini cheerleaders. 

According to Scott Carrico, the 2012 event coordinator and current Student Organization Resource Fee program adviser, approximately 12,000 students attended Quad Day in 2012. Although no official numbers for 2013 have been confirmed, he previously said he projected student attendance this year to be similar to last year’s. More than 600 registered student organizations made an appearance Sunday, lining the Quad with booths in the hopes of attracting new members. Many RSO’s also had give-away items, such as plastic cups, Frisbees, pens and the occasional T-shirt.

Beginning in the spring semester, RSOs could reserve space on the Quad after paying a $28 registration fee through the Illini Union Board, the event’s official host organization. 

For many freshmen, attending Quad Day is the first step to becoming more involved on campus. 

“Everyone told me Quad Day was something I definitely had to go to,” said Susan Jean, freshman in Engineering. “I did a lot of extracurriculars in high school and I’m obviously really looking forward to doing just as much now that I’m in college. I think Quad Day is a great first step to reach this goal.”

To make the event more managable for students, the Illini Union Board advertised a QR code that provided access to a mobile map of booth placements. Students perused booths, which were grouped by common themes, from political and cultural or ethnic booths at the North end of the Quad, to social fraternities at the South end. Printed maps were also placed at five stations throughout the Quad. 

“Honestly, it was just so overwhelming, but the online map helped,” said Kevin Jozwiak, freshman in DGS. “I feel like I shouldn’t have signed up for so much.”

Twenty-three performance groups also provided entertainment throughout the day, a practice that originated at the first Quad Day in 1970. This year’s lineup consisted of groups with a diverse range of talents, varying from dance and stunt teams to University acapella singing groups. Some performances exhibited cultural themes, such as the Ghungroo Dance Company, which featured Indian-style ankle bells in its classical performance.

Lily Wang, a performer for the Taiwanese American Student Club and junior in LAS, said she was proud to perform during Quad Day, as it’s “not an opportunity that everyone really gets.”

“The turnout was great today,” Wang said. “It was really great being able to show the entire student body our culture (through the performance).”

Jolie can be reached at [email protected].