Joining an organization as a freshman can help students find communities on campus, said several Syracuse University club leaders.

SU offers more than 300 student organizations, including fitness clubs, a cappella groups and community service organizations. Many student leaders said that getting involved in organizations on campus helped them meet new people and adjust to college life. 

David Sargalski, the director of the Office of Student Activities, said SU is in the process of switching to a new online platform for student organizations called ‘Cuse Activities, which will be active during the fall semester. An Orange Blast Involvement Fair for first-year students will also be held from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Aug. 23, and a university wide Student Activities Involvement Fair will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

When starting college, SU alum David Robusto knew that he wanted to join an a cappella group. After deciding on Syracuse University, he joined Otto Tunes — an all-male a cappella group — just a few weeks after arriving on campus. Robusto said Otto Tunes gave him opportunities, such as competing at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella three times, performing at Radio City Music Hall and recording music in a studio.

 

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“We got to grow so much personally, musically [and] professionally as people in our time with this group, and do so many things at SU that I never would have been able to do otherwise,” Robusto said

Now, a former president of Otto Tunes, Robusto said that joining this group allowed him to find many of his closest friends and supporters. 

First Year Players, another student organization, puts on a musical every spring. As the name suggests, the entire cast and crew is made up of first-year students, and produced by upperclassmen.

Senior Brianna Yates, one of this year’s two producers, joined FYP her freshman year as a member of the stage crew. Yates said she had no experience with musical theater prior to joining FYP. 

“I saw that it wasn’t just a place for people who love musical theater,” Yates said. “It was really just a family. So that’s what drew me to it, and it totally has become my family on campus.”

She added that FYP has become a home for her at SU to get involved and has created a sense of community for her. 

Senior AJ Seymour found his family in the community service organization Orange Seeds, now serving as co-director. Each Orange Seeds class consists of around 25 first-year students who participate in volunteering and leadership activities in the greater Syracuse area. Returning students make up the membership and executive boards.

“It’s a great way to really quickly build a network, find some of your best friends, but also learn how to be a successful student at Syracuse,” Seymour said.

Julia White, a senior at SU and the ambassador of the Syracuse chapter of CHAARG, joined the organization during her second semester freshman year. According to White, CHAARG is a national organization for college-aged women “based on health, fitness and women’s empowerment.” Members can attend weekly workouts, as well as small groups, socials and retreats.

White said that through CHAARG she has met new people from both SU and other schools across the nation. 

“It opens you up to different kinds of people and different kinds of perspectives,” White said.

Published on August 22, 2019 at 9:27 am

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