By Bea Rouse – Contributor

SRC Extra Day – previously known as Club Day – took place on the first day of classes, Jan. 11 from 1:00-3:30 p.m. in the Gait. The event has changed its name from “Club Day” due to the inclusion of groups such as the Indigenous Cultural Alliance (@bu_ica_), the Jewish Student Association (@bishopsjsa), the Caribbean African Students Association (@ubishopscasa), the Sexual Culture Committee (@busexualculturecommittee), and Muslim Student Association (@msabishops) on Instagram – which are not under the “club” designation. Clubs, groups, teams, and associations arrived 15 minutes early to set up their assigned stations, which were positioned to form an open circle in the Gait.

SRC Extra Day runs at the beginning of each semester as a semi-connected event with Orientation Week, though all are welcome and encouraged to attend. This academic year, both events were run midday on the first day of classes – potentially inconvenient for some students, but receiving still an impressive turn out. Each table presented their own display: a trifold board, a flag, a poster, a sign-up sheet, or in particularly fun cases, candy. The American Sign Language (ASL) Club (@buaslclub) and Bishop’s University Pride Alliance (BUPA – @bupridealliance) handed out candy and pride flags respectively and were met with enthusiastic attention. It was a chance to be creative, meet new people, and promote your group.  

Some departments also have societies which attend SRC Extra Day. The Sports Studies Society (@bu_sposo), Science Society (@busciencesociety), English Literature Society (@englit_ubishops), and the Astronomy, Mathematics & Physics Society (@buamps) were some of the societies in attendance this semester. For those wanting to meet more students with similar academic pursuits, these groups are a fantastic way to get connected.  

Outside the Gait in the SUB, Bishop’s International set up a table during the first few days of the new term for incoming international students to learn about the campus and how to navigate it. 

For people who were not able to join SRC Extra Day, the SRC Extra Instagram page (@busrc.extra) has a full list of all the clubs, groups, societies, and associations currently active this year. It is also a good platform to follow for notifications on campus extracurriculars, from Eco-Week events to new club announcements to occasional department wine and cheese notices. With events starting up again this semester, now is a great time to find people with similar interests or backgrounds and make new friends!