There are so many student organizations, events and activities on campus that getting involved can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-year student! However, getting involved on campus early in the semester is one of the best ways to meet like-minded people and enjoy the things you love. That’s why we broke down the easiest ways you can get involved on campus—who knows, you might just discover your new favorite club!
1. Check Out the Involvement Fair
The Fall 2025 Involvement Fair will be held on the Quad from Sept. 9-11 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. each day. With hundreds of Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) in attendance, the Involvement Fair is the perfect way to find a club or organization that interests you. There will be a myriad of different organizations in attendance such as Greek Life, Club Sports, service organizations, publications, cultural clubs, religious groups and more! Visit the University Events Calendar for more information.
2. Visit the Barnes Center at The Arch
The Barnes Center at The Arch is so much more than a gym and medical center on campus–they host a plethora of different events, activities and fitness classes for all University students! Consider attending pet therapy, offered on the first floor of the Barnes Center in the Walters Pet Therapy Room Tuesday-Friday every week. If you’re looking to stay active with friends, you can take a Group Fitness class such as yoga, cycling, boxing and more! Fitness classes are offered weekly Monday-Friday and on Sundays. And if you’re interested in exploring what Central New York has to offer in the way of outdoor excursions, be sure to check out the Outdoor Adventure trips that the Barnes Center organizes most weekends throughout the semester! To see the exact dates and times for the activities above, or to explore more of what the Barnes Center has to offer, visit the Barnes Center’s website.
3. Attend a Student Engagement Event
Student Engagement hosts a variety of events and activities every weekend, aimed at providing students the opportunity to engage in safe, late-night fun. All events are either free or at a low cost to students, making them accessible to everyone on campus. Some events include pumpkin painting in the fall, a variety of game nights and cosmic bowling! Be sure to check out the Events and Activities webpage to see all the events Student Engagement is hosting throughout the fall semester.
4. Explore the Schine Student Center
Situated in the heart of campus, the Schine Student Center offers a place for students to connect, relax and have fun in a safe, welcoming environment. With 13 different eateries and a variety of comfortable seating, students can eat and relax with their friends, or get some homework done in a lively environment. Personally, getting a Dunkin’ iced coffee and chilling with my friends in Schine is one of my favorite ways to decompress and meet new people! Schine Student Center also houses the Intercultural Collective—a place where students of all identities and backgrounds can get resources and information on the ways they are supported here on campus.
If you are looking for a way to meet new people and get involved on campus without the commitment of joining a new club or activity, exploring Schine is for you! Dig deeper into the myriad of offices housed in Schine or explore what may interest you there.
5. Download the OrangeNow Mobile App
More than just a place to check your class schedule, the OrangeNow app is the easiest place to check out what events—social or athletic—are happening on campus now. Upon opening the app, click on the Menu icon on the bottom right-hand corner and then scroll down to Campus Life; here you’ll find all the information for campus clubs, activities and events that you could ever need! The Activities Hub houses tons of information regarding RSOs and upcoming events. Under the Activities Hub, you will also find the ‘Cuse Activities website, another great resource that houses information for every single RSO here on campus. I have found this resource super helpful in exposing me to the hundreds of unique clubs Syracuse has to offer!
Written By Mirren Grimason ’29, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs