For many new students, trying to find their niche in college can be overwhelming. To make college a little easier, there is ClubFest.

“The No. 1 thing students can get out of ClubFest is to find out about all the different opportunities,” said Laura Bestler-Wilcox, assistant director of student activities. “This is an opportunity for students to meet face to face with the organizations.”

ClubFest, the annual exposition of university-wide clubs, is from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. today in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

The event has taken place for over 20 years at Iowa State with an average attendance of about 4,000 students each year, Bestler-Wilcox said. This year, 148 clubs will be attending.

“People come with their honors classes or learning communities,” she said.

“There’s a team effort to attend ClubFest.”

Many groups take advantage of this opportunity to increase awareness and participation in their clubs.

ClubFest is something Hillel, the ISU Jewish student organization, does every year, said President Samantha Kitover.

“There aren’t many ways to find Jewish students,” said Kitover, junior in marketing. “[ClubFest] is one of our best ways to find membership.”

The ISU Skydivers have participated in ClubFest as long as President Carey Bender can remember. Last year the club’s table, complete with videos and pictures of previous dives, attracted “four or five members,” said Bender, senior in psychology. The club has 10 members total.

“A lot of the incoming freshmen come out and see what a club is about,” Bender said. “It’s a lot more interactive than just reading about it.”

ClubFest is supported by the Student Activities Center, which coordinates the event, and the Student Union Board. SUB is responsible for “lining up the student organization performances that take place on the stage throughout the day,” said Lisa Kratz, adviser for the SUB and assistant director of the Memorial Union.

“As one of the student bodies closely affiliated to the Memorial Union, to have them involved as the main student organization is natural.”

Bestler-Wilcox said she recommends students take part in ClubFest and ask questions to find out about organizations, including membership fees and how many hours are required for the group.

“Make sure that when you join the organization, remember why you are here – for academics,” she said.

For more information about ClubFest, visit the Student Activity Center Web site at www.sac.iastate.edu.