Formerly known as Party at the Aud, the annual event’s purpose is to introduce incoming freshmen and new students to campus organizations they can be involved in, said Fred Watson, an assistant director for the Department of Student Life.

“When a student is new on campus, academics is the first reason you’re at the university, but beyond that, learning about the university comes from participating in activities outside of the classroom,” Watson said.

Although there are close to 600 registered student organizations on campus, only 330 groups can have a booth set up at Sparticipation due to space constraints.

“It’s a first-come, first-serve basis. Every year, the slots are filled up and usually we’ll put groups on a waiting list, in case space becomes available,” Watson said.

Because there are so many different groups, representatives have to try unique tactics to gain a potential new member’s attention.

Spartan Ski Club members handed out 16 cases of Rockstar energy drinks to bring people to their table, while members of the MSU Scuba Club walked around in their approximately 40-pound tanks.

After roaming through the aisles, the next task for students was to narrow down the clubs.

“I’ll read my fliers later, see what they have to say and whatever sticks out to me is what I’ll look at. Otherwise, I’ll throw the fliers away,” said Steve Iwankovitsch, a construction management senior who transferred to MSU in 2005.

“It’s nice because you can talk to people, maybe make new friends and just kind of let loose since you don’t have to worry about classes,” Iwankovitsch said.