Like many colleges, Baruch College’s Convocation Day includes a segment where clubs are invited to table in the lobby and plaza to show incoming students the vast social and professional opportunities available to them. This year, however, Baruch’s Office of Student Life informed club leaders that there will be no club tabling on Convocation Day. According to an email sent to club leaders, “this year, clubs will not table during Convocation. The first major tabling opportunity for all clubs will be the Fall 2025 Club Fair.”

Convocation is a crucial moment in introducing freshmen to college life. It sets the tone for their experience and creates a lasting first impression of the institution. 

The ceremony itself, which will remain unobstructed, features speeches from some of the college’s most respected professors. The newly-elected Undergraduate Student Government President also speaks, often reflecting on their own journey of finding their place at Baruch. 

While it’s important for students to learn about the college’s values, traditions and academic expectations during the formal ceremony, it’s equally important for them to discover how and where they can socialize and engage with campus life over the next four years. 

For clubs, Convocation Day has long been an opportunity to recruit new members and gain fresh perspectives from a diverse group of incoming students.

To better connect students with these opportunities, Baruch should consider hosting more than one club fair each semester. For now, it’s recommended that students look toward club social media accounts for updates on events, tabling and club fair locations to be aware of how they can best engage with the clubs and societies they’re interested in.

With student life spaces often overcrowded, providing more chances for new students to explore clubs and organizations would create a more accessible and meaningful introduction to Baruch.