Spring 2023 Unity Day Unites Over 300 Students, Staff

Shawn Ree Canin scanin@mail.ccsf.edu

Over 300 students attended Spring Unity Day held at the Smith Hall cafeteria on March 9, 2023, to learn about all City College clubs, resource centers, and departments.

Unity Day is the biggest campuswide event that the Associated Students Council of Ocean Campus (ASCO) and the Student Activities Office organize every semester.

Amelia Khong, ASCO president, said, “Unity Day is a good chance to come and see all the resources available. Maybe some students do not know that we have that support until they go to Unity Day and see it.” She added, “so I think that is a really good opportunity for students, especially the new students if they do not know much about CCSF [City College].

That this resource center may suit your need, you can find where you belong, maybe you can not find it right away, but you know when you need to find support.”

Due to heavy rain, the event moved from the Amphitheater indoors. Khong expected an outdoor venue so many students could stop by. But the cafeteria was able to accommodate 36 tables for several clubs, resources, and departments to share their information. She stated that organizing events like this means adapting and being flexible. “Cafeteria is not too small, good enough.”... Students go to the cafeteria to buy food, so they know where to go,” she said, which made it an even better venue.

Students and City College staff alike, including Chancellor David Martin and student trustee Malinalli Villalobos, were able to participate in the photo booth, karaoke, and bingo game with prizes like t-shirts. Food and drinks were also provided.

Khong mentioned, “the work we do [18 council members and Advisor Amy Coffey] for Unity Day is because of everyone who wants to create a platform for the student [and] work together to unite students to have and be confident to know more about the school.”

Austin Su from the resource center City Dream described Unity Day as an experience that students could have to see the community and get involved. He added, “all the resources we have here at City College are a blessing for the students.”

Nursing Student Association President Alexander Feng Wu’s experience at the event “has been great. Everybody has been great, kind, and helpful, and everyone is happy here, and we are all having fun.” “There are plenty of resources here at the school, and clubs, and different departments that you can check out or anything you’re interested in,” he added.

Broadcast Electronic Media Arts (BEMA) student Emilio Quiogue, came to table for the Filipino Student Association and said the event “shows that your time in a community college is actually worth it. There are many ways to feel at home, feel part of the community, and get involved.”

The $7 student activity fee funded Unity Day. It is one of the four events the ASCO prepared for this spring semester. Three upcoming events are (1) Thrift Swap, March 16, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Ram Plaza, where attendees could bring in clothes in good condition to swap with people at the event.

(2) Active Shooter Training, March