If you happened to walk through Hughes-Trigg last night after 6:30 p.m. you probably heard the lamentations and steady dance beats of the 2007 ISA Fall Mixer. The ISA (which stands for Indian Student Association) played host to its more than 350 member student organization with free food, a lively dance party and an introduction of its officers.

The goal of this gathering was to introduce the incoming first-year class to its existing undergrad and graduate members, as well as to kick off the new semester.

The attendees were treated to a lavish buffet-style dinner that included chicken pikka marsala, curry paneer (a sort of cottage cheese), saffron rice, vegetable yogurt, naan (a flatbread) and kheer (a very tasty rice pudding) for dessert.

But the ISA is more than just good food, says ISA President Shakeel Mehdi.

“We’re all about having a good time with good people.” That wasn’t hard to believe as the attendees huddled onto the dance floor almost as soon as the music started.

Being one of the largest student groups on campus, one might recognize the ISA acronym from its annual ISA Talent Show, an event that typically receives 1,500-2,000 people. The ISA also puts on a Diwali Dance Show, a festive, more traditional pageant of native dances and routines. President Mehdi explained the overall goal of the association is to get its members involved around campus through fundraising and volunteer work while also developing bonds through its numerous movie nights, dinners and intramurals. Mehdi went further to explain how “the south Asian demographic is a growing one, especially in the United States, and as a leader it’s good to see all of these people coming together under one cause.”

But the majority of the school that doesn’t share a south Asian heritage are not to be excluded from the free chicken curry and bumping dance floors.

“As long as you can breathe, you can join,” says Mehdi. Membership can be gained through SMU’s Access, under Student Services, by clicking on Student Center and then Student Organization.

Patronizing events without formally becoming a member is also welcomed.

Junior Clayton Gregory says, “It’s upbeat, interesting, accessible, passionate, and quite frankly, you can’t beat this sense of community.”