Instead of getting lost in a maze of tables, students will have a map to guide them during the second Spring Pantherpalooza where more than 112 registered student organizations will meet.

The second Spring Pantherpalooza is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Kaci Abolt, the student vice president for student affairs, said the map will show students where each numbered table is, and a scrolling PowerPoint will be projected to identify what number each organization is.

“There will also be a large board outside of the room with table numbers and each organization will write what table they are at,” Abolt said.

Abolt, a junior communication studies major, said she thinks participation outside of the academic realm is also important.

“I think involvement is a huge part of how to make your college career come full circle with the academic and social connections that you can gain, which can really make your experiences stand out from others,” Abolt said.

Student Senate member Mitchell Gurick, a freshman career and technology education major, said Pantherpalooza can be hectic with students combing through the tables trying to find organizations they are interested in.

“The map and the PowerPoint will give students a better idea of where certain organizations are that they want to visit and (makes it) easier to communicate with them,” Gurick said. “It is important because (Pantherpalooza) allows students to get a feel for what different RSOs have to offer, and RSOs get the opportunity to showcase their achievements and share their goals with others.”

In addition to making it easier for students to locate organizations, bingo cards will be available with information from the organizations, Abolt said.

“To try and attract more people, I am also sending an email out to all of the new students who came to Eastern in the fall and in the spring to let them know that (Pantherpalooza) is going on,” Abolt said.

Abolt said Patherpalooza is for all students who want to get involved.

“This event is not specifically targeted at new students but it will be an extra incentive for them since they are probably still trying to get their feet wet with campus involvement.”

A wide range of organizations are scheduled to attend including: Greek organizations, the Black Student Union, the Latin American Student Organization, EIU Pride, the Residence Hall Association and the Hunting and Fishing Club.

EIU Pride President Nico Canaday, a senior English major, said he has attended at least five Pantherpaloozas.

“Students can see the huge variety of organizations Eastern has to offer and there is something for everyone,” Canaday said. “It is also great for RSOs to meet potential members and we have met a lot of people there who now consistently come to meetings.”

Other organizations scheduled to attend include: the Community Gospel Choir, EIU Forensics Team, EIU Equestrian Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Gluten Freedom Club and DansDistinction.

“I think one thing that makes the event so cool is that so many organizations have the chance to get out there and you can have an academic organization next to a service

organization next to a social organization,” Abolt said. “Students can walk up and down the isles and get more interactive information that they can’t get from a website.”

At least 40 more organizations have registered compared to the first Spring Pantherpalooza, Abolt said.

“I think (the increase in organizations) is a reflection of how people know more about it since this is the second year of having Spring Pantherpalooza and so we are trying to make it bigger and better,” Abolt said.

Rachel Rodgers can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].