Three weeks into the fall semester, as students settle into academic routines, the University of Colorado at Boulder's Involvement Week during Sept. 8-11 will provide information on an array of possibilities for those looking to add campus involvement to their collegiate experience.
During a trio of fairs, attendees will be able to familiarize themselves with, and in many cases join, campus groups. The Student Involvement Fair on Sept. 9, Volunteer Fair on Sept. 10 and Greek Fair on Sept. 11 are expected to draw more than 200 campus organizations and an even greater numbers of visitors.
"Involvement Week is a great opportunity for students to become part of an organization on campus and to find something that satisfies their interests," said Julie Wong, vice chancellor for student affairs at CU-Boulder. "Research by Alexander Astin of the Higher Education Research Institute maintains that students who are involved and engaged on campus have stronger retention and graduation rates, do better academically, become stronger alumni, enhance their time management skills and have a more positive overall experience in college."
To kick off Involvement Week, the University of Colorado Student Union will coordinate a campus walk-through on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at midday to hand out fliers. This year's Greek Fair is new as well as the scheduling of the three fairs into one week.
"Students have said in the past that they get confused because there are so many fairs going on at various times and many end up overlooking the events and not attending them at all," said UCSU Tri-Executive Christine Thai. "Holding the fairs in one week is more convenient and allows students to easily see all the different options they have to get involved."
The Student Involvement Fair will take place Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Norlin Quadrangle. Organizers from the Student Programs Office expect nearly 150 student organizations to be represented and the featured entertainment will include didgeridoo players. Free refreshments and prize giveaways also are slated for the event.
The Volunteer Fair, organized by the Volunteer Resource Center, will take place Thursday, Sept. 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dalton Trumbo Fountain Court adjacent to the University Memorial Center. Over 70 programs will be present, seeking student volunteers for opportunities in areas including the environment, youth, culture, recreation, disabilities, diversity, women, community, homelessness, education and more.
The Greek Fair will take place Friday, Sept. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dalton Trumbo Fountain Court and will include information tables by Panhellenic sororities, multicultural Greek fraternities and sororities and Interfraternity Council fraternities.
Involvement Week events are free, open to all students and do not require prior registration. For more information contact UCSU at 303-492-7473.