BRIDGET MORRISON

The academic year may be half over, but don’t worry, you can still join a University of Saskatchewan campus club. This is a great way to meet new people and become involved in student life and the broader Saskatoon community. There are a number of clubs on campus, so chances are you’ll find one that suits your interest.

One of the most common types of groups on campus are those that pertain to a specific program of study. A few examples of this would be the Computer Science Students’ Society or the International Studies Students Society. Generally, these types of groups encourage and aim to provide a sense of community among students who are pursuing the same degree.

Networking opportunities with professionals in the community are made available by connecting students with those who are actually working in a particular field of study. Most of these groups also act as a social outlet, hosting events and providing guest speakers relevant to students’ interests.

These groups are a great way to meet people who share the same academic interests as you and can be helpful in the pursuit of your degree and career. Do a little research of your own and see if your program has a campus group — odds are good that it does!

Are you interested in politics? If so, there are plenty of opportunities for you to become more involved with the political culture here on campus. There are groups solely dedicated to a certain political party, such as the U of S New Democratic Party, the U of S Young Liberals and the Saskatchewan Party Campus Club. This is a great way to become a politically active student and democratic citizen.      

If you want to join a club that doesn’t have anything to do with your academic field of study, don’t worry — the U of S has many opportunities for just that. These groups don’t necessarily have to do with academic endeavors, but instead are intended for interest’s sake and for fun!

These are groups such as the Games Club, Animanga Club and the Huskie Motorsports Club. This is a great way to engage interests outside of academics, while providing some much needed fun and stress relief in the midst of a student’s busy life. Pick a random one you’ve never heard of and check it out  — you may find a new passion. 

Often the clubs that are specific to a field of study allow students who are not in that program to join the club as well. This is yet another great opportunity for students to explore other interests and break out of their comfort zone. One example of this is VASU — the Visual Arts Students’ Union. It isn’t just for visual arts students, but for any U of S students who have an interest in art and wish to become more engaged in the artistic community on campus and in Saskatoon.

If you’re into fitness, there are numerous clubs you may want to check out. To name a few, there is the U of S Kin Club, the Men’s or Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Clubs and the Barbell Club. There is even a Rugby Club on campus! These types of clubs are a great way to have some fun while getting in a workout.

There are over 130 ratified campus groups, so chances are you will be able to find a club that suits your interests. Check out the U of S Students’ Union website to find a page that lists all of the ratified student groups on campus. This page will provide you with the complete list of groups, a summary of what the group is about and contact information if you wish to join the group or have further questions.

If you are unable to find a group that suits your interests, you might want to consider creating one of your own. All the information you need to know to get started is provided on the USSU’s website as well.

Take a chance and join a campus club! It’s a great way to make new friends and become involved in student culture on campus. Happy campus club hunting!

—

Image: Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor