Panthers Gather for Spring Club Rush

Budding poets, aspiring scientists and singers, car enthusiasts and more showed up at the Chaffey College Spring Club Rush on Jan. 22.

It’s a biannual event that gives students a chance to connect with other people who have similar academic, or non-academic interests. About 1,000 members of the campus community attended.

“I think it’s important and it’s probably also good marketing because everybody is here hanging out and finding out about even more things related to the school such as future events, and that’s great,” said geology major Pedro Llamas.

Students and faculty representing more than 30 chartered and unchartered clubs set up tables featuring swag and displays, which ranged from computer code on monitors, to the Criminal Justice Club’s skeleton.

For the first time, Club Rush also included a “Your Word. Your Voice” table – allowing students to create and submit letters to area lawmakers about policies they consider important. About 100 students filled out letters for submission about laws protecting undocumented and LGBTQIA+ college students.

“I am really happy that I am able to do this and see the engagement,” said Priscilla Zamora Nunez, undocumented and LGBTQIA+ liaison. “Students signed so many letters and this is truly a great beginning.”

Mari Mbella took time to show her support for immigrant rights, especially with a threat to birthright citizenship under the new administration.

“My mother fought for her right to be here and with hard work and dedication she created her family, and this includes me,” she said.

Several new clubs – Chaffey Makerspace and the Business Leaders Association – recruited members in an attempt to become chartered, while numerous other long-standing organizations sought to boost their membership.

Raquel Alvarez wandered through the quad in search of a club that interested her, but hadn’t made up her mind. She appreciated that the event was available to Chaffey students.

“It’s important to know all of the clubs available to us,” she said.

Additional “Your Word. Your Voice.” events have been set for 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 3 and March 26 in the Rancho Cucamonga campus quad.