When Party at the Aud ended Saturday night, the Auditorium’s lawn was littered with fliers, the rock on Farm Lane had a fresh coat of paint welcoming the map-toting freshmen and more than 230 student groups and activities had recruited a year’s worth of members.

“This is the biggest and best time to recruit people,” said special education sophomore Shelley Carlin, a member of MSU Best Buddies. “You need members just to start recruiting other members.”

Carlin joined the program for students who want to spend time with people with mental disabilities after attending Party at the Aud last year.

Communication freshman Carolyn Crutchfield said Party at the Aud provided a good look at campus life - an experience she’s just beginning.

Although she came looking for information about the skating club, Crutchfield expects to attend a free dance class from the Ballroom Dance Club later this week and is already planning to study abroad when she is a junior.

“I didn’t know anyone when I got here,” said the Illinois native. “Everyone I know I met here. It just gives you an opportunity to find out about things if you’re too shy to pick up the phone and try things.”

Fred Watson, assistant director of the Department of Student Life, said at least 5,000 students attend the event every year, gathering information from a variety of the campus’ 500 registered student organizations, from fraternities and sororities to community service groups to athletic pastimes.

“We expanded outside this year, praying it won’t rain, so that 230 organizations could participate this year,” Watson said. “We still have a waiting list of organizations trying to get in, and the more the merrier.”

Music education sophomore Matt Socia came to the event to support the university’s fencing club, calling in the best recruiting event of the year. Club representatives ran out of fliers early in the evening.

“We got a lot of people who come up and say ‘I always wanted to fence but never had the chance,’” he said. “Nobody is coming here and saying Michigan State equals fencing, so it’s a good way to get your face out there.

“I probably would have just sat in my room if I hadn’t found a club to participate in.”