A new academic year brought a new student activities director to Palo Alto, along with a new start for some clubs and organizations on campus.

Cheryl Le Gras began her position as the director of Student Activities this fall. Before coming to Palo Alto she served as Director of Student Activities at California State University, San Marcos. Communication to students about events on campus is something Le Gras would like to see improved. Plans to get a marquee up in the Student Center, as well as informational television monitors posted around campus, are being discussed.

“That’s one thing I would hope to have as a legacy. That I really helped increase the way information gets out and disseminated to students,” said Le Gras.

Le Gras is also responsible for organizing a festival each semester. These festivals include the upcoming PAChanga festival on Oct. 19 and PACfest held in the spring. In addition, Le Gras would like to have more activities brought onto campus; her plans include having at least one program per week. Events being discussed include a NASCAR simulation game and bringing comedians to Palo Alto.

Another area being looked at includes campus leadership.

“Once clubs and organizations are on campus, we need to ask ourselves what types of programs and services we can utilize to promote them and encourage students to develop as leaders,” said Le Gras.

Despite the lack of far-reaching communication, a handful of clubs and organizations on campus have managed to become active in the Palo Alto community. The Student Government Association (SGA) has a few ideas for events, including a game show for student recreation that would be a “Weakest Link” and “Jeopardy” combination. Food and clothing drives are also being planned for Thanksgiving and Christmas. SGA meetings are scheduled for every other Friday at noon in the Palomino Center.

“We really are encouraging student body involvement,” said Eve Huizar, the student government president, who is a sophomore Business major. “We really want to be a strong force and voice on campus for the students. I believe with strong student involvement, we will be.”

SGA now has an office in the Student Center, Room 115, and they welcome students to stop by to meet the SGA officers.

Another organization that would like to see more student involvement is Phi Beta Lambda (PBL).

“Right now one of our goals is to increase membership,” said Erin Carr, president of Phi Beta Lambda for the local and state chapters and sophomore Accounting major. “As of now, we do not have any men in our fraternity. Phi Beta Lambda is a coed fraternity, and we hope to have some male members this year.”

PBL competes in academic events across the country in an effort to enhance business skills. If the sound of competition is intimidating tosome students, there’s no need to fret. Competing in events is not mandatory.

“A student can choose whether competition is a right choice for him or her,” said Carr.

PBL will participate in PAChanga on Saturday. For more information on PBL, send an email to PresCEO@TexasPBL.org or ErinLCarr@aol.com

The Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) is an organization that manages to stay active despite the small number of participants on campus.

With an average of 10 to 15 members in attendance, the organization holds its meetings on Wednesdays at noon in the Math and Science Building, Room 101.

For more information on CCM, send an email to IAMorales@juno.com or call (210) 736-3752.