By Farris Willingham, Staff Writer
Shadowe Brandt, dance performance freshman, catches the Frisbee on Sept. 5 during Okie Fest on the Quad Lawn. Photo by: Patrick Warrington
Star Connect is continuing its search for membership.
Student Government Association designed the new program to foster relationships between international and domestic students. There are currently 40 international and 20 domestic members, SGA President Emma Velez said.
“Ideally, we’d like to see more domestic students sign up because we’ll be able to provide more one-on-one attention to international students,” she said. “But other than that, I think it’s running really smoothly, and we’re getting a really good response from people.
“I’m confident that we’ll be able to get our domestic numbers up, as people get an idea of what the program is.”
Registration forms are located on the Star Connect at OCU Facebook page, Velez said.
“They ask about your major and interests, so that we can provide a good match for you,” she said.
Student members must commit to monthly events, but people are encouraged to meet with their Star Connect friends more often than that, Velez said.
SGA didn’t anticipate the amount of noise that hindered conversation Sept. 5 at Star Connect’s first event, Okie Fest, Velez said.
“But I don’t think it was detrimental overall to the matching process, because I know a lot of people had a really good experience and I’ve already heard really great responses,” she said. “We had between 400 and 450 students in attendance.”
Devin Murphy, film production/business marketing freshman, said she enjoyed the event, despite the noise.
“I didn’t get my pairing because I had to leave early, but I got to sit down and talk with people who aren’t native to Oklahoma or even the United States,” she said. “It was very cool.”
Murphy said she has connected with two international students.
“I’m the one with the answers, but I don’t want it to be a one-sided relationship,” she said. “I think we need to connect on both ends and I hope to learn about the different aspects of their culture.”
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