The beginning of a new year and semester is a time for resolutions and goals for many people around the SHSU campus. While some may shoot for a 3.5 GPA to make the Dean’s List, others may want to exercise more at the HKC to get rid of the love handles acquired during the Thanksgiving and holiday break. However, some students might want to get involved around the campus and join one of the various student organizations.
SHSU has 200 organizations registered on campus and 50 new prospective organizations are seeking approval by the student organizations board meeting on Jan. 28.
“Hopefully by February, we will have 250 organizations,” said Student Activities Program Coordinator, Tiffany J. Flenoy. “The organization board looks for organizations that will not only be unique to our campus, but also do positive things to reflect on the university itself,” added Flenoy.
Campus organizations are divided into nine different classifications such as academics, service, special interest, cultural, recreational, religious, honorary, social fraternities and social sororities and governing boards.
“When I was an undergrad, I was involved with Alpha Phi Sigma, Criminal Justice honor society,” said Student Services graduate assistant and mascot coordinator, Patrick Gardenier. “It was a good way to get involved with community service, networking, and they would also bring in speakers that gave insight about CJ professions.”
“I would rate participating in student organizations and involvement second after academics,” said Flenoy.
Flenoy also believes finding an organization that fits your needs is an advantage to your collegiate experience as well as developing leadership skills, gaining a sense of self and interpersonal communication skills, which are traits that employers look for in recent college graduates.
If none of the current organizations have caught your eye, start your own organization. The first step would be to acquire five other possible members, then find a faculty advisor, obtain an organization packet and write a constitution.
For more details on how to start a new organization or if you are interested in what student activities has to offer, visit http://www.shsu.edu/studentactivities for more information or call (936) 294-FUN1.