Student groups share info

 
Students were able to get insight of the opportunities student organizations can offer to Southern University students at the Organizational Fair Wednesday.
With nearly 60 organizations were present, equipped with information, sign-up sheets and light refreshments.
Darnell Pledger, HIV and AIDS coordinator representing the SU HIV/AIDS Prevention Program said the program visits classrooms, dormitories and administers free testing three times a semester.
“We don’t wait for them to come to us, we go to them,” Pledger said.
The prevention program was designed to increase awareness, provide connections to essential resources, conduct HIV/AIDS related education and build sustainable community relationships to affiliates on the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
“We want SU students to know the damages of unprotected sex and to successfully prevent the spread of HIV and not only the African American community, but ethnicities across the board,” Pledger said.
The Student Government Association was present in hopes to fill some of the vacant seats in the organization.
Timothy Pickett, SGA chief of staff, said some students think that it’s all about homecoming, SGA is doing a lot more of things to help students.
The National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi) was providing students with information about their organization.
Cosette Richard, president of the SU Chapter, said that she was chosen by the national advisory among 200 other applicants across the country.
“Leaders come from all walks of life. We are open to everyone, ” Richard said.
Sigma Alpha Pi was responsible for the slave narrative display in John B. Cade Library.
Ebonee West, senior business management major of Baton Rouge, was at the fair sharing information about the Alpha Chi Chapter of Phi Beta Lambda where she serves as vice president.
According to a brochure distributed at the fair, the Alpha Chi chapter aims to develop competent, aggressive business leadership, strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their work, create more interest in and understanding of American business enterprise and encourage members in the development of individual projects that contribute to the improvement of home, business and the community.
West said, that all college students, non-traditional and traditional, should join organizations to find out about job opportunities and to aid in becoming a well-rounded individual.
“Students can gain from great professionals on how to dress for success, how to interview and how to network in your possible career path,” she said.
Upsilon Phi Upsilon Service Fraternity shared a similar message in promoting principle, friendship, excellence and united vision.
Jared Guidry, junior nursing major of New Orleans, president of the Upsilon Phi Upsilon Service Fraternity Inc. helped shed light on the goals, services and ambitions of the fraternity.
According to Guidry, his fraternity is tutoring students at Southern Laboratory School and working on tutoring students at Glen Oaks High School.
Leonard Brumfield, a junior criminal justice major from New Orleans and Upsilon Phi Upsilon member, discussed the fraternity’s vision toward community service.
“We can have a line of seven people and fix a whole building and we’re not looking for nothing in return,” Brumfield said.
Deborah Muhammad, a senior physics major of Baton Rouge, was one of the students representing Nation of Islam Student Association.
She said students that are in organizations are given a sense of community and it keeps them involved and active. 
“Students that venture in organizations will have a greater retention rate,” Muhammad said.
Alvonte Sample, a political science major from Chicago, was giving students information about The Bluff radio station and the opportunities that it offers to them.
“The power to be heard gives you an unlimited range on the mind.  This is the students’ opportunity to live their hearts’ desire,” Sample said.
He said that it does not matter what a student’s major is, they still have a voice.  He also said the Bluff broadcasts on a broad spectrum.