by Bryant Hammonds
Daily Lobo
Pizza was used to lure students into getting involved in organizations on the fourth Welcome Back Day.
Student Michael Martin said the day helped him find groups to get involved with during his freshman year.
"Welcome back week is just amazing, real neat," he said.
In addition to the booths and free food, the band No Regrets played at noon.
Student Larry Hernandez said he liked some - but not all - parts of the day.
"The bands are cool, and all the free food makes it wonderful," he said. "But the booths get a little annoying."
Student Lori Moses said she also liked the bands, but she didn't like the crowds.
"I liked No Regrets, but I don't like walking through there," she said. "I always feel like I am going to be bombarded."
Student Sumeet Singh said he didn't mind the booths because they got him interested in student groups.
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"I was thinking about joining the Indian Student Association," he said.
ASUNM Sen. Jacque Garcia served free slices of pizza Thursday at the ASUNM tent from noon to 1 p.m.
"This is a good way to promote the student organizations, to talk to students and get them involved," she said.
Ryan Lindquist, student activities adviser, said about 250 student groups participated.
"We have tons of new organizations," he said. "Student Organizations Day is always the busiest."
Student Vanessa Gabaldon said she was glad to see all the organizations people could get involved in at the University.
The day is part of Welcome Back Days put on by the Student Activities Center the first week of the fall semester.
Debbie Morris, director of the Student Activities Center, said she liked Welcome Back Days when she was a student at UNM. She said the week is meant to give students something to enjoy at the beginning of a busy semester.
"Welcome back week is over 25-years-old," she said. "The first week of school can be stressful, and it is our goal to make students feel more comfortable."
