The start of a new academic year births several opportunities for social engagement, from events to workshops to organizations and more. There’s so much to explore that it can almost be as overwhelming as it is exciting! If you’re super curious about ways to get involved but aren’t sure where to start, look no further! Whether you’re a new student eager to plant your orange seed, or a returning student looking for a new spark, read on for five ways you can get involved.
Visit Student Engagement
Student Engagement is your entry point to social activities, programs and events designed to enhance your education and help you get involved in the campus community. Home to over 250 registered student organizations, Student Engagement can help you connect with campus groups that cater to almost any of your interests! Swing by the Fall Involvement Fair on the Quad on Thursday, Sept. 14, check out the ‘Cuse Activities portal or stop into the Student Engagement office located in 230 Schine Student Center to begin your involvement journey!
Explore the Barnes Center at The Arch
The Barnes Center at The Arch serves as the center for student wellness, offering programs, services and activities that support holistic health and well-being in one easily accessible campus location. Along with housing health care services, counseling services and fitness equipment all students can access, the Wellness Portal is the spot to learn more about and register for Group Fitness classes, Outdoor Adventure Trips, Climbing Wall clinics, Wellness Leadership Institute workshops and more. The Barnes Center is also home to a variety of intramural sports and tournaments open to the entire campus community. If you’re searching for a way to stay healthy and active while spending time with your peers, be sure to explore all the Barnes Center has to offer!
Tap Into Career Services
Are you curious about internships? Need resume assistance? Searching for ways to be a millionaire? Career Services is a resource to support you in realizing your individual professional goals by assisting you with tying your interests to your coursework, applying to internships, finding jobs and creating career goals. The Career Services team is committed to assisting you in achieving long-term professional success in addition to finding employment after graduation through individualized meetings, strategic professional development resources and networking opportunities.
Attend Orange After Dark Events
Orange After Dark (OAD) hosts a variety of fun events and activities on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, both on and off campus, all semester long! These events are a great opportunity to have fun with friends and try something new. OAD activities are typically either free or $3, and transportation is provided for events that take you off campus.
Check Out the Intercultural Collective
The Intercultural Collective is both a physical space in Schine that houses the Disability Cultural Center, LGBTQ Resource Center and Multicultural Affairs, and a coordinated effort to promote and celebrate inclusion and intersectionality. Multicultural Affairs (OMA) places students and their needs for success at Syracuse University and beyond at the center through organizing activities and programs that strengthen and affirm community on campus. The LGBTQ Resource Center aims to be a campus and regional leader in providing support, community and education on marginalized genders and sexualities, as well as the intricate intersections of the many identities. For students, teachers, staff and members of the community with and without disabilities, the Disability Cultural Center (DCC) organizes campuswide social, educational and cultural programs on disability issues. All three groups host a wide variety of events throughout the academic year, both individually and collaboratively with each other and other campus partners, so be sure to check out what’s happening often!
Now that you know five cool ways to get involved, be sure to check out The Peel, the University Events Calendar and Hendricks Chapel for even more opportunities.
Written By Kalaya Sibley G’24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs