The Blugold Organization Bash, known as BOB, is held twice every academic year to give students the opportunity to see what organizations they can join on campus.

“I just like to come in and wander around,” said freshman Kelli Gasparka. “It’s good to go around and see what kind of things you can get involved in.”

Gasparka said she attended the Bash in the fall but thought it was a good idea to come back and check out the groups again.

“The one in fall was kind of overwhelming because I was a new freshman,” she said, “but now I feel more comfortable here so I thought I’d look again.”

Sara Thommesen, the Student Organization coordinator, said having BOB twice a year allows new freshmen and transfer students the opportunity to see what kind of activities are offered at UW-Eau Claire.

With 100 of Eau Claire’s 240 campus activities present there’s bound to be something at BOB for everyone, Thommesen said.

“We have a DJ from one of our groups and some organizations volunteer to give demonstrations throughout the day,” she said. “There are so many different groups to choose from.”

The booths include a wide array of representatives from sports clubs to departmental groups to honor societies and religious organizations.

One of the more frequented tables and a larger organization set up was the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority.

With brightly colored boards and sorority sisters standing by, financial vice president and sunior Sam Boterman tried to get the word out about Greek life.

“This (BOB) is a great way for us to meet women on campus interested in joining a sorority and it’s a great way to network,” she said. “A lot of our information is spread by word of mouth, so they can come here and get all the specific information they need.”

Further down the row at the Mortar Board table, senior Shannon Nelson invited students to learn more about how to get into the selective honor society.

“It is important for us to be here,” she said. “Because you can only join by invitation, it’s good for people to know what they have to do to meet the requirements.”

Nelson recalled that she attended BOB the previous year and was able to learn all the requirements and benefits of joining Mortar Board.

“We do a lot of great things for the community,” she said. “A lot of people are willing to volunteer so we want them to know it’s another way to get involved.”