On Tuesday, students rolled into Roller Disco night, hosted by the SJSU Student Union, Associated Students and Student Involvement.
Students spent the night talking and laughing, even when falling down because of the roller skates.
Large groups of attendees lined up in front of the Provident Credit Union Event Center on 7th Street, creating a line stretching out to the Student Union at 6:30 p.m.
Digital media freshman Briana Rivera said the event would be a chance to hang out with her roommates and meet new people.
“I like roller skating too, I also heard there was going to be free pizza and good music so it just sounded fun,” Rivera said.
Weeks of Welcome is a series of events that take place at the beginning of each semester. The events aim to provide support to students returning back to school.
Industrial and systems engineering freshman Kayla Vasquez, said she came to the event because she likes rollerblading.
“I thought roller skating was probably not that different, but I was kind of wrong,” said Vasquez. “I think it reduces my stress. I actually forgot I was at school until you reminded me.”
Jess Prudent, Student Involvement campus programming coordinator said she was inspired to try to provide the best experience possible for all students attending because she believes events like these are beneficial to students.
“When you get involved early on, especially in that first four to six weeks. We see that you have better network options, post-graduation. You're more likely to graduate within your timeline and at the GPA that you’re wanting to get,” said Prudent.
“You just in general, have a better experience on campus. You have lower rates of things like depression, anxiety, which any college student knows is common.”
Philosophy senior Nicole Lam said she was stuck to the lined up chairs on the side of the roller rink and though she was a bit scared, she was still happy to make it to the event.
“My friend told me it was gonna be fun,” said Lam. “I would definitely come again, last year we came to these events a lot.”
Forensic science freshman Jeamarie McCarter said she attended the event excited and ambitious to interact with others and take advantage of the built in community at SJSU.
“I wanted to come to this event because I felt like it was going to be a great experience to hang out with friends and meet new people,” McCarter said. “Now I have more friends than I ever thought I would have, it is just an overall great experience to have.”
