Despite the fact that they were not provided food, students made their way to the cafeteria on Monday August 22 to learn about services provided by different school departments.

As part of Welcome Week, Student Activities had its third event with a Program Services Fair where various programs on campus talk to students about free opportunities available to them.

“I think that some of our students haven’t had the opportunity yet to learn about different programs like financial aid, EOPS, the childcare center, and various resources they can get for free,” said coordinator of Students activates Amory Cariadus. “…so we like to have the opportunity for everyone to be in one place so the students can walk around and see what’s available to them.”

The event took place at 9:00am with various departments attending. Departments in attendance included; Financial Aid, EOPS, Public Safety, ESOL, Spark Point, EDD, Transfer Career Center, DSPS, Early Childhood Education, San Mateo Credit Union, Student Activities Office, and Women In Transition.

Cariadus was present at the event managing the Student activities booth. Her presence there was not by coincidence as she felt that the message of the day was vital.

“For me as a staff member I think it’s always interesting finding out what [resources] all the other programs and learning communities have…available to other students,” Cariadus said. “I like to talk to people in other areas and find out what’s going on in their departments so that when come to me and ask questions I can refer them appropriately.”

Spark Point (coordinated by Adolfo Leiva) was also there to  help provide people with information about how to increase their income and build their assets.

“So many [people] who come to Skyline are in need of assistance,” said Leiva. “So we’re here to help [the community] increase their assets by providing financial coaching, providing them with services…that will help them continue to go to school to actually get a career and be successful.”

When asked whether the event benefited newer or older students the most every single department answered with either “both” or something along the lines of “it helps everybody”

“I think it benefits everyone,” said Cariadus. “I think [for] new students it’s the first time they’ve seen these things and returning students it’s an opportunity, maybe something in their life has changed where they need more resources and this gives them the perfect opportunity to that.”

Other departments felt the same way in that by and large, each department helps not only students, but Skyline as a community.

Certain booths attracted more students than others. For example, Financial Aid was particularly popular with students both old and new wandering up and asking about Financial Aid services..

One such student was Roy Gonzalez, a 5th year part time student. He has used financial aid in the past and thought that the event was significant for students.

“I think [this is] very important because… I actually applied and went through it”, said Gonzalez. “[and] they actually provided a good amount of money which helped me with my school stuff that I needed like pay for gas, pay for classes so it’s very helpful to have [this] because many students don’t know that those opportunities”

Other students in attendance found that some of the departments did in fact provide information that was previously unbeknownst to them.

Students like Irma Deleon, a 3rd year full time student, learned what courses to take from the Early Childhood Education booth.

 “When I was going to high school I used to actually do volunteer work at my old elementary school and I was really intrigued with kids so I want to become a pre-school teacher,” said Deleon. “I’m going to take courses over here; [The ECE] gave me information of this person to talk to establish what exact courses I need.”

Prior to the event Deleon had no idea that Skyline had an Early Childhood Education department and felt that the Program Services Fair really helped her out.

“I think it’s great just because they’re putting information out there,” said Deleon. “I feel that if a lot more students were to approach them or had a little more interest in what’s going on and what the booths are for that they’d actually get a lot from it instead of just walking around”