Yuba College kicked off the fall semester with live music, lots of students and free food on the Marysville campus. The festivities began on Monday, August 21, but really took off when massive tacos were served at the center of campus on Wednesday. Immediately a huge line formed and mouths started to water.
“The tacos are so good,” student Shannon Burger said as she bit into her second taco. “After I ate mine, I made my boyfriend get back in line and get me another.”
As students paced around the campus with lunch in hand, they couldn’t help but notice the plethora of booths and tables that sprinkled the walkways. The booths offered everything from bank memberships and beauty supplies to gym memberships and fast food. But by far the most popular booths were those set up by Yuba College.
“From 7:30 in the morning until 10:15, we had three Yuba College information tables on campus,” Campus Life Director Elizabeth Bowman said. “So when the students came on campus and didn’t know where to go, they went right to the tables and we were able to help them. We’re going to do the same thing in the spring, and we are also going to be out there in the evening as well.”
The “back to school” celebration concluded on August 24 with a free barbecue and live music. During noon students gathered around a ten-foot long grill manned by Rod Beilby, Athletic Director; Miriam Root, Public Relations Officer; Jim Buchan, Trustee; and Prager, Speech Professor. Hundreds of large, plump hot dogs were grilled and served as fast as possible.
“This is pretty good, pretty active,” freshman Ryan Patchin said as he sat under a tree enjoying his free lunch. “Free food is the best thing Yuba College could do.”
As the hot dogs were being served, local punk rock band “Red Flag Warning” filled the air with their political anthems.
The students gathered around the band while bobbing their heads and tapping their toes in approval of the music and of Yuba College’s effort.
“I like the free food that I’m getting here, and they provided music which is a nice welcome back,” sophomore Burt Ithurbura said.
Live music at Yuba College will soon become a regular event. Bowman said that the college is interested in having a band on campus every month. So if students that play in a band want to share their music, they should contact the Campus Life office.
Along with monthly live music Bowman hopes to feature more activities on campus. She credits the new Yuba College president, Paul Mendoza, for the revival in campus activities.
“He wants involvement every month and is really supportive,” Bowman said. “When you give him an idea, he says, ‘go with it, whatever you want to do.'”
Mendoza said that he wants to carry the theme of the first week’s activities throughout the year to provide a connection with the students. “What I want is one activity per month whether it is a diversity activity, a social activity or a fun activity for the students,” Mendoza said.
The college president also stated that it will take time to get to the point where there are constantly activities on campus, but he is open to any and all suggestions students have.
“What I ask is that the students give us their ideas of what they would like to see on campus, whether its music, or social or political. I would like to see something that can stimulate the mind and also be entertaining at the same time.”
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