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As it works to connect more than 220,000 graduates across the country, the SIUC Alumni Association is concentrated on tackling its student membership totals.
Since 1991, the SIUC Alumni Association, an organization with an emphasis on students from the past and present, has grown from 8,000 members to 18,000 in 2008.
Michelle Suarez, associate vice chancellor of institutional advancement and executive director of the association, said the number one opportunity the Alumni Association provides is the ability to network.
The association put together its fourth annual Saluki Oasis to give students an opportunity to take a break from the heat and learn more about what it means to be part of the group at the International Lounge of the Student Center Friday.
Suarez said the main purpose of the event is to let people know what the Alumni Association is and what it does.
"It's a way for us to introduce ourselves to folks who perhaps didn't know about all the things we offer," Suarez said. "The Student Alumni Council does not require you to be a member but it is the membership dues that help support that organization."
The Student Alumni Council is responsible for organizing portions of the homecoming parade, the class ring ceremony and other campus-wide functions.
Annual membership dues are $15 for students and $40 for alumni.
Members get a subscription to the quarterly Southern Alumni magazine in addition to a T-shirt and discounts at retailers nationwide, including 15 percent off at 710 Bookstore. They also have access to private tailgate parties before select Saluki football games.
Students at the event had a chance to play Nintendo Wii on a big screen television while enjoying snacks and cold drinks while checking out some of the latest videos from Barking Dawg Productions.
Kyle Jones, an undecided freshman from Hoopeston, said he wasn't sure if he was going to sign up for the Alumni Association but he did appreciate the free massages and Dippin' Dots ice cream.
"I went in here to get my books and stumbled upon this little get-together," Jones said. "I like this though. It gives me an opportunity to meet some new people."
An estimated 400 people were on hand for the event, which is the association's first of the fall semester.
In addition to Barking Dawg Productions, Saluki Volunteer Corps was also on hand to get information out about its organization.
Interim Public Relations Director Laura Taylor said it was important to include other student organizations in the planning process to make the event a well-rounded experience.
"We really wanted to expand it this year because of the volume of people that come through here," Taylor said.
Matt Hartwig can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 270 or mhartwig@siu.edu.
