The sleepless quest for a table

They had plenty of sweets and caffeine, but for now the three
girls were busy racing down Bruin Walk in their sleeping bags to
keep awake. After all, it’s not easy staying up all night so
their group can have a table on Bruin Walk the next day.

“We might as well make a night out of it,” said
Sonya Sobko, a member of Unicamp Mentorship.

She compared the experience to a road trip and half-jokingly
added that it is a good opportunity for “forced
bonding” between group members.

Sobko, along two friends who are also in the same group, had
been on the concrete pathway through the center of campus since
1:30 a.m. and their spirits were high. Their only worry seemed to
be awaking those sleeping at neighboring tables with their
laughter.

At a little past 4 a.m. on Monday, Bruin Walk has a different
look than many students would recognize.

Though every single table is taken, there are no fliers being
passed out and most of the students at the tables are trying to get
some shut-eye. To replace the familiar madness, there is a tent set
up by a couple students in front of Kerckhoff Hall and sleeping
bags laid out along the usually busy path.

Camping out on Bruin Walk has not always been the norm. Some
upperclassmen explained that in order for them to get a table, they
have had to come out earlier and earlier each year.

To get what is considered the prime spots ““ the tables on
the Kerckhoff side that are in the shade in the afternoon ““
students begin camping out as early as midnight.

The first week of the school year is known to be the busiest in
terms of student group recruitment, encouraging group leaders to
come out in the early morning hours to secure a good spot on Bruin
Walk.

Those spending their night at the tables admit that the majority
of their members are not recruited on Bruin Walk, but fliering and
having a presence in that location is important, since there is no
other place for groups to be visible on campus.

“We are here to get our name out. … People hear about
us, and we want to be here for people who are looking,” said
Karen Yuan, a fourth-year student leader with Bread of Life
Church.

On Friday morning, before 5 a.m., Yuan said they might resort to
bringing their own table on Monday. For now, they had to settle for
a spot next to the steps on top of Bruin Walk.

For many groups, the early hours on Bruin Walk are necessary, as
most organizations only recruit for one week, said Alfonso Duenas,
president of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed community service
fraternity.

Duenas was glad to have gotten a table. He came to campus at 3
a.m., straight from his job at the Rieber Hall front desk.

For him, sleeping is not on the night’s agenda. He is
planning to study for a test tomorrow and will be fliering in the
morning.

“It’s the first night of the first quarter, and
I’m already pulling an all-nighter,” Duenas said.
“You’ve got to lead by example and make
sacrifices.”