Sparticipation links students to clubs

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Rachel Plawecki was left with few choices for food when the dormitory cafeterias closed Tuesday for Spartan Spectacular.

“I honestly only came because the caf was closed and I wanted food,”
the nutritional sciences freshman said. “It also seemed like a good way to meet people.”

Even though her first intention was to get food, Plawecki looked for student groups to become involved in community service.

“At the Lyman Briggs colloquium, there was a science theater organization that sounded interesting,” Plawecki said.

Spartan Spectacular started with a cookout and live music at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Munn Field. After students finished eating, they browsed the tents filled with student organizations, a part of Spartan Spectacular called Sparticipation. Following Sparticipation, students participated in Spartan Spirit at 8:30 p.m. The day was set to wrap up with a fireworks display scheduled for 9:45 p.m.

“The goal is to connect the new students with about 350 of the registered student organizations on campus,” said Fred Watson, the assistant director of Student Life. “It’s an opportunity to introduce their organization for new students.”

There are a variety of student clubs and organizations, which add to the college experience, Watson said.

“Students do a lot better when they connect and are involved with students of similar interests,” Watson said. “It’s an out-of-classroom experience that supports what happens in the classroom.”

Animal science senior Heather Arnold signed up for the MSU Polo Club four years ago at her first Sparticipation. This year, she promoted the club in hopes of getting new members.

“In order to keep the program going, we need 20 to 30 recruits,” Arnold said.

Following Sparticipation, students gathered in Breslin Center for Spartan Spirit. The pep rally acquainted students with the fight song, alma mater and big names on campus such as MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio and MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo, said Janel Rutzen, the vice president of Alumni Engagement for
Student Alumni Foundation.

“It lets them know about academic things, and there are few things geared towards athletics,” said Rutzen, an elementary education junior. “It gets them excited and shows different athletics on campus — really acclimates them and makes them part of MSU campus. Everyone has some MSU passion and it pulls together that passion and love.”

Human biology freshman Danielle Batton originally attended Spartan Spectacular to be with friends. After experiencing the day’s events, Batton said it made the university feel more like home.

“Stuff like this makes (campus) seem smaller because everyone is in one place instead of all over campus,” Batton said.

Overall attendance Tuesday was between about 12,000 and 14,000 people, which is higher than previous years, Watson said.

“There was more collaboration,” Watson said. “The fact that we had several events all happening at once helped bring up the numbers.”

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