Student organizations give students more opportunities for involvement

As a new semester begins and Marshall University welcomes its largest ever freshman class, the Offices of Student Activities and Greek Affairs encourage students to become involved in the many organizations Marshall has to offer.

"Everybody pretty much has the same feeling, that they want to meet people but don't know how," said Lashawna Sampson, senior business management major from Pittsburgh, Pa., and Student Activities Planning Board adviser. "The fall semester is a great time to join a student organization because everybody is new and everybody is trying to figure things out and they want to meet new people."

Sampson said there are over 160 active organizations students can join depending on their interests and majors.

The benefits of being involved in a student organization go beyond the college years and extend into later job opportunities because of networking connections available in student organizations, said James Clark II, student involvement specialist of The Student Activities Planning Board.

"We know that you're going to come to Marshall and get a degree here, but we want you to have fun while you're here. We want you to interact with people and socially network," Clark said.  "Because once you have the degree, it's not only about the degree, it's about who you know as well.  And because you have that network with somebody you already have your foot in the door, whereas somebody who didn't join the organization may not."

Clark said student organizations take time to give back to the community by volunteering, raising money and raising awareness for local causes.

"They are always going out there trying to make a difference and letting people know that they care about Huntington," Clark said. "There's an organization out there almost every day doing something for somebody and I'm proud to know students do that."

Clark said there is a variety of organizations students can join, whether it is academic, political, sports related or special interest. If a student can't find an organization they are interested in, they can recruit seven people and start a new one.

"It's not hard at all to start a new organization here on campus," Clark said. "We'll help you get the paperwork done, help you get an advisor, help you write the constitution. We'll go step by step and help you in detail with getting the group started."

Clark said students who are interested in joining an organization should go to www.marshall.edu/student-activities or come to the Student Activities Office, room 2W31 in the Memorial Student Center.

"They just have to come up to our office and ask, ‘How do I get involved?' and we will tell them the answer. It's right here," Clark said.

Kelsey Duttine can be contacted at duttine3@marshall.edu.