Freshman FAQs
Why is getting involved during my first year important? Can't I just wait until next year?
Where can I find out more about Freshman Forum and the application process?
I was really involved in high school; how can I get involved at the University?
What if I'm shy and have a hard time meeting people?
My brother/sister/cousin/friend said I should get involved in ____________....?
I came from a small high school and feel overwhelmed by the amount of things I can do here. How do I know where I fit?
How can I encourage my friends or roommates to get involved?
I am an undeclared major. Where should I get involved?
Can getting involved help me reach my career goals?
Is there such a thing as being "too involved"?
What if being Greek isn't for me?
What kinds of leadership courses can I take at UA?
If a student organization or leadership opportunity requires an interview, what should I wear?
What if there is a special interest group that I would like to join but doesn’t exist on campus?
Where is the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership?
What is the best way to contact you?
Are there any requirements for joining student organizations?
I feel like I missed my chance to get involved in the very beginning of my freshman year. What should I do?
Why is getting involved during my first year important? Can't I just wait until next year?
Student involvement is an essential part of the UA experience. Balancing involvement with academic excellence is the best way to ensure the most dynamic and useful educational experience. It is important for students to go beyond simply studying textbooks and attending class. Getting involved in co-curricular activities allows students to learn from hands-on engagement in real world settings. You can wait until next year, but that has theoretically cut out one-fourth of your UA benefits. Co-curricular activities are learning opportunities for you. As a member of the UA family these opportunities are at your finger tips from day one. You are free to take advantage of all resources that have been offered to you. However, it is important to note that you will take from this campus what you choose to put in. Time and effort put in equals the success you will enjoy. The more time and effort you invest the more you will benefit from your time here.
Where can I find out more about Freshman Forum and the application process?
Click here for the Freshman Forum page.
I was really involved in high school; how can I get involved at the University?
There are many ways to get involved during your freshman year at the University, and there is no reason that you should not continue your involvement. Freshman Forum offers a unique leadership development experience for freshman students and gives students a chance to survey the different areas of involvement on campus and develop relationships with student leaders. Also, many high school organizations have related organizations at the University level. Check the Student Organization Directory to see if there is a chapter of the organization in which you are interested currently on campus. If you have a variety of interests, fill out the Involvement Inventory, and a staff member in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership will work with you to find organizations that fit your specific interests.
What if I'm shy and have a hard time meeting people?
First, take note that there are many other shy individuals on this campus of over 28,000 students. You are not the only person who may feel uncomfortable wandering into a room full of people. Search for people with interests similar to yours. Ask them what they are thinking about getting involved in. Maybe you all can go to a couple meetings together at first while you become acclimated to the situation.
Seek out an upperclassman to serve as a mentor. cUltivAte Peer Mentors work with Freshman Learning Communities and Compass Courses, and there are a variety of other organizations with a mentoring component on campus. A one-on-one relationship with an upperclassman can be much less intimidating and a very valuable part of your freshman experience. Upperclassmen can share their experiences with getting involved on campus, as well as point you toward organizations that may interest you most. To find a mentor, contact the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership and let them know you would like to be matched with a mentor.
Search for organizations focused on topics that interest you. You can find a list of all student organizations on the Student Organization Directory, attend Get on Board Day, and look up groups and group members on Facebook. Fill out the Interest Inventory to find out what organizations best match your individual interests. Feel free to contact the leaders of these organizations (any way you feel comfortable). Let them know you are interested in getting involved but a little shy.
You can also contact our office with any questions, or if you would like to meet with a staff member.
My brother/sister/cousin/friend said I should get involved in ____________....?
This person may be right, if they made the suggestion based on your interests, your skills, and your time available. There are innumerable paths to success provided to you the moment you join the UA family. The most important thing to consider when determining your path to success is you!
I came from a small high school and feel overwhelmed by the amount of things I can do here. How do I know where I fit?
When entering a large community from a smaller community you should first become aware of what the large area has to offer. Decide how much you can handle. You may want to pick up just one student organization at first, monitor your course load, and then if you think you can handle something else, add another. You have at least four years to mold your college experience into what you want it to be. Don't worry if you haven't figured everything out the first week.
The Office of Student Involvement and Leadership is always a great resource. A staff member would love to sit down with you to discuss where you are, where you want to go and how you can get there.
The best way to know where you fit is to know who you are, what you have passion for, and what resources are available to you. The UA campus has so much to offer that it is difficult to understand everything that is happening. Many times students have passion and energy, but they do not know where to target their efforts.
The Office of Student Involvement and Leadership is in place to help you direct your efforts. The experienced staff is highly knowledgeable of events, organizations and departments on campus. If you would like to set up a meeting with an office staff member, please contact us. (link to Contact Us page on home page)
How can I encourage my friends or roommates to get involved?
The same way you would recommend a movie or a good place to eat! Try it out and tell them about your experiences. Apply what you know about your friends (interests, schedules, personalities) when you make recommendations. Offer to take them with you when you go to a campus event, and introduce them to a few people while you're there to help break the ice.
I am an undeclared major. Where should I get involved?
Your major does not have to determine your involvement. Many students have found their major through their involvement. Find something you enjoy doing. Even if it doesn't end up being your major, at least you enjoyed it while you were involved and you were doing something productive during your time of exploration. To find something that matches your interests, please fill out the Interest Inventory and a Student Involvement and Leadership staff member will work with you to find organizations in which you may want to get involved.
Can getting involved help me reach my career goals?
YES! Getting involved can potentially help you meet faculty and staff members or other professionals with experience in your field. Plus, as you get more involved in an organization, you'll have the opportunity to practice leadership skills, which are transferable to your career. In today's competitive job market, employers look for students who are well-rounded and have not simply spent their college years attending class. Get involved in organizations that interest you and taking leadership roles in those organizations will give you skills that are highly marketable to future employers and will cause you to stand out in the applicant pool.
Is there such a thing as being "too involved"?
Yes. If you are involved in a combination of activities that limits your ability to enjoy experiences of high quality you are too involved. Being involved in 1-2 groups that allow for meaningful personal growth can be much more valuable than simply being listed among the membership rosters of 15 organizations.
Prioritize the activities you are interested in, and be selective when making commitments. If you realize you've gotten in over your head, its better to resign from a position and let someone else step up to lead than to try to juggle and "drop the ball."
What if being Greek isn't for me?
That's okay. You are in the majority. 74% of UA students choose not to participate in Greek life. UA offers over 300 student organizations that are academic, political, service-oriented, cultural or religious in nature. If these organizations are not exactly what you are looking for, you can start your own organization. Visit the Student Organization Directory to search for organizations in which you may want to get involved, or fill out our Interest Inventory, and a Student Involvement and Leadership staff member will work with you personally to determine which organizations best match your interests.
What kinds of leadership courses can I take at UA?
Here are a few of the most popular leadership courses...
Civic Engagement & Leadership Freshman Learning Community
HES 275: Leadership through Service
MGT 320: Leadership
HES 485: Self-Managed Mentoring
HES 450: Volunteerism and Civic Responsibility
HES 250: Career Development and Planning
NEW 270: Leadership and Social Justice Activism
CIP 200: Introduction to Global Studies
You can also minor in Civic Engagement and Leadership. For more information on this minor, please click here.
If a student organization or leadership opportunity requires an interview, what should I wear?
Typically for interviews, you should plan to dress in business attire. If you don't have a suit, slacks and sport coat are okay for men, and women should wear dress pants or skirt and a modest blouse. For more information on appropriate dress, check out Dressing for Success, a handout published by the UA Career Center.
What if there is a special interest group that I would like to join but doesn’t exist on campus?
If you have searched the Student Organization Directory but have not found the specific organization in which you are interested, visit the SOURCE online and click on the "Prospective Organization" tab. Here you will find step-by-step instructions on creating a new student organization. Feel free to contact the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership with any questions about the process.
Where is the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership? What is the best way to contact you?
The Office of Student Involvement and Leadership is located in the Ferguson Center in room 355. If you enter the Ferguson Center by the Starbucks and go up the stairs on that side of the building, the office will be on your left at the top of the stairs. If you would like to get in touch with a staff member, please use the Contact Us (link to Contact us form) form. If you have a more pressing matter and would like to speak with a staff member, please call our office at 205-348-6114.
Are there any requirements for joining student organizations?
Each student organization is different. Some organizations require an application and/or interview process, while some organizations do not have a selections process. Student organizations also involve varying levels of commitment; most student organizations will have specific requirements that members must attain, such as meeting or event attendance, in order for members to remain in good standing. Remember, each student organization is different. To obtain specific information about the selection or membership requirements for a specific organization, please contact the officers listed in the Student Organization Directory.
I feel like I missed my chance to get involved in the very beginning of my freshman year. What should I do?
You have never missed your chance to get involved! Many student organizations accept new members throughout the year. If you are ready to get involved now, fill out the Interest Inventory and a Student Involvement and Leadership staff member will work with you to find organizations that best match your interests. Also, remember there will be another Get on Board Day for the spring semester in January. Many organizations select new members in January. Other ways to get involved include searching for groups on Facebook, talking to friends who are involved in activities that interest you, and reading the Crimson White and UA Student News, which often advertise when student organizations are taking new members. Also, attend campus events and get to know your professors and faculty members in your major - you never know when a new connection may lead to an excellent opportunity to get involved and find your passion!