Growing Student Involvement: Experiences, Checklists and More

Student experiences inside and outside of the classroom are essential for supporting well-rounded individuals preparing to enter their post-graduation careers. Much like the process of selecting an academic trajectory, navigating through the process of getting involved with a Registered Student Organization (RSO) can leave students feeling uncertain.

Growing Campus Connections: Spring 2024 Involvement Fair

Each semester, the Student Engagement team partners with Registered Student Organizations to host an Involvement Fair. (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

To enhance the student experience, each semester the Student Engagement team partners with RSOs on an Involvement Fair. Open to all students, the Spring 2024 Involvement Fair will be held on Thursday, Jan. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Schine Student Center of the Goldstein Auditorium.

“With so many great RSOs on campus, it might feel overwhelming, or a student may not know how to connect with an organization they are interested in. The Involvement Fair presents a chance to connect with organizations in one place,” says Karrie Catalino, registered student organization coordinator of student engagement. “During the event, RSOs can showcase their mission, vision and opportunities, growing student involvement and showcasing what Syracuse University has to offer outside of the classroom.”

Connecting interested students with more than 200 RSOs offers an exciting opportunity to branch out and build a resume while growing community connections and friendships students may not have otherwise. The event will also offer fun activities and prizes.

For students who are thinking about attending but might have questions, consider the following testimonials:

• Grace Brashears ’25, president of OttoTHON: “Your feelings are valid. Involvement Fairs can look and feel very overwhelming from the outside looking in. It is normal to feel overstimulated or intimidated to go up to a table and talk to the different RSOs you are interested in learning more about. The most important thing to remember in overcoming this fear is that every RSO in the Involvement Fair and their members at the table want to be there. They want to talk to you and tell you more about their organization or other organizations that they think you may be interested in. I encourage someone nervous about going to find a friend to go with, and to start by walking through it a few times. Engage in conversations with the different organizations and you may find something you end up joining that could potentially change your college career for the better.”
• Cate Hudson ’24, member of the First Year Players: “Nerves are normal! On the other side, we’re nervous and excited as well to meet potential new members of our organization. The most important thing to realize is everyone behind the booths are also students, who at one point weren’t involved in anything on campus. Joining an RSO is an incredible opportunity to make friends, find a community on campus and pursue your academic or extracurricular passions further. Everyone is on your team!”
• Caroline Ridge ’25, Halie Patel ’26 and Katarina Sako ’24, members of Best Budies International: “At the Spring Involvement Fair students will have the opportunity for one-on-one time with our executive board. We recommend students see this as an opportunity to learn more and receive information about upcoming events!”

Additional Ways to Get Involved

Students are also encouraged to explore the following resources throughout the academic year:

• Start building your unique Syracuse University student experience with the Be Involved Checklist;
• Explore events for every schedule and interest with the Syracuse University Events Calendar; and
• Connect with an RSO throughout the year through the ’Cuse Activities Portal.

Story written by Student Experience communication intern Esteban Quiñones ’24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications