UC Students Get Involved

With approximately 250 student organizations and more than 30 club sports, the University of Cincinnati offers plenty of opportunities for students to get involved for the upcoming school year.

The Office of Student's Activities and Leadership Development is in charge of student organizations and club sports.

Students can sign up for chorus courses with the College-Conservatory of Music each quarter and perform with the UC Choruses. No prior singing experience is needed, and it can be taken as a credit for some degrees.

“It's a lot of fun,” said Dylan McCrate, a first-year communication sciences and disorders student and member of the UC Women's Chorus.  “You get to meet new people who like to sing, too.”

UC Choruses had three concerts during the 2008-09 academic year and traveled to Nashville for their spring tour.

If the outdoors appeals more to you, the Mountaineering Club might hit the spot. The club participates in outdoor activities, including rock climbing, caving and white-water rafting, said Jackie Lopez, second-year student and club member.

The News Record, UC's independent, student-run newspaper, is a way for students of any major to improve their journalism skills and see their work in print.  The News Record also makes use of photographers and designers who have, “ambition, drive and a little bit of talent,” said Taylor Dungjen, the 2009-10 editor in chief.

The News Record placed second at the Society of Professional Journalists region four conference for best overall student newspaper, making it one of the top 22 non-daily student newspapers in the nation.

“It was an incredible experience for us to win second place,” Dungjen said.  “It just goes to show how hard all of the editors work and it was great to see something we love do well.”

The university is home to hosts 22 fraternities and 11 sororities.

The campus Programs and Activities Council (PAC) holds events every year for students and it is not required to join a club or pay a fee.  This year, PAC events included a comedy presentation by Ralphie May of Last Comic Standing and a spring concert by N.E.R.D.

Another major organization on campus is the Student Government Association, which mediates between the student body and university faculty and works to improve the university as a whole.

“It's a great place for students who are passionate about the university and who want to make a difference and make changes,” said Alyssa Penick, who is a senator-at-large. “And any student can run.”

Friday Night Live, a volunteer organization, holds free, non-alcoholic activities every Friday night.

“I recommend everybody gets involved, especially incoming freshmen,” said Erica Forrest of the UC Wellness Center.  “It's a great way to meet new people and get involved frequently.”

A list of all organizations and clubs can be found under the student organizations section of its Web site, www.uc.edu/sald.