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Q: I’m kind of shy and not the type of person who
usually joins things, especially when I don’t know anyone.
How can I learn more about a group before I go to a meeting or event?
A: First of all, don’t worry about being
shy. You’re not the only one! Second, there are a couple ways
to learn more about Student Organizations. A good place to start
is online at http://studentorgs.uncc.edu
where you’ll find a complete listing of student organizations
(UNC Charlotte has over 200 to choose from). When you have some
idea of what kind of group you’re looking for, call Student
Org.’s staff advisor, Zane Reif @ 704/687-3181. He can connect
you with a contact person for that group. Another place to go is
the Student Activities office (OSA) on the 2nd floor of Cone Center,
next to Main Street Market or call them @ 704/687-2521. There you
will find all kinds of printed information and any one of the staff
people there will be happy to help you find an organization or activity
that matches your interests.
Q: I feel like it’s all I can do to keep up with my
classes and my parents want me to focus on studies yet it would
be nice to get involved in something and meet people. Won’t
my grades suffer if I join a student organization?
A: Well, that’s up to you. But studies show
that students who get involved in something outside the classroom
actually do better scholastically because they’re more connected
to the university, have the support of peers, and are exposed to
encouraging staff people. So don’t be afraid to try.
In a nutshell, here’s how you can benefit by getting connected
to some kind of student organization:
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You’ll make life long friends.
- Statistics
show you’ll have better grades.
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You’ll be more integrated into college life.
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It’s fun.
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You’ll learn new skills, like leadership, communication,
and a host of others.
If
you think colleges care about your being well-rounded, future employers
care a whole lot more! Being involved shows your versatility.
Whatever level of involvement you desire, there’s something
in Student Activities for you.
Q: I didn’t take advantage of getting involved my
first couple years here. As an upperclassman, is it too late for
me to find something in which to be involved ?
A: It’s never too late! As long as you’re
an enrolled student, there are opportunities for all levels of involvement.
Stop by the Office of Student Activities any Monday – Friday,
from 8:30 – 5:00 for personal assistance or you can go “involvement
shopping” online at http://studentactivities.uncc.edu
or at http://studentorgs.uncc.edu.
Q: Who decides what events are brought to this campus? How
can I express my opinion about what I think would be good entertainment?
A: The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is the primary
programmer/planner on campus and it’s run by and for students.
You can go by their office (3rd floor of the Cone Center, right
next to the Candy Shoppe) and offer suggestions, or better yet,
get involved and participate in one of their many planning committees.
For more information go to www.uncc.edu/cab
or call 704/687-2450.
Q. Do you have anything for gay or lesbian students?
A. Yes, PRIDE is a student organization for gay,
lesbian, bisexual, transgender students and allies. Find out more
by visiting the web site http://studentorgs.uncc.edu.
In addition, the Multicultural Resource Center offers advising support
to PRIDE and has a wealth of resource material for the GLBT community.
Q. Does UNC Charlotte have a student newspaper?
A. Student Media publishes The University Times
twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They also publish an annual
literary-arts magazine (Sanskrit) and the student news Web Site,
www.nineronline.com.
If you’re interested in journalism, photography, graphic design,
advertising or sales and marketing, go by their office on the first
floor of the Cone Center (under Main Street Market). Talk to the
students and staff and, if you like what you see, apply for a position.
There are several good reasons to get involved in Student Media:
you learn real-world skills, build your resume while still in school,
feel the accomplishment of producing nationally award winning publications
(seeing your name in print is always a good thing), develop skills
that will help you in the classroom and life, and last but not least,
you’ll have a whole lot of fun. Visit the Student Media website
at http://www.uncc.edu/life/smp.
Q.
I’m interesting in exploring different cultures and further
learning about my own. Any place on campus I can go for that?
A. Have we got a place for you! The Multicultural
Resource Center is located on the third floor of the Cone University
Center. The MRC is a storehouse of resources about different cultures
and provides support for campus cultural groups. The MRC is also
involved in programs like International Festival; MRC sponsors the
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and various heritage weeks throughout
the year. It is a comfortable, welcoming spot in which to explore
other cultures and/or to validate your own.
Q. Does Student Activities offer anything for us outdoorsy-types?
A. For starters, how do rock climbing, sea kayaking,
cave exploring and backpacking sound? From adventure trips like
these, to sweating it out on an indoor climbing wall, to the thrill
of high ropes on our brand new, state-of-the-art Challenge Course,
UNC Charlotte’s Venture program offers a full schedule of
outdoor instruction, excitement and fun. You can even rent outdoor
equipment like camping and paddling gear when you’re planning
an individual “expedition.”
The Venture program adheres to the highest possible safety standards
and environmental stewardship. Overnight and day trips guided by
professional staff are offered to students at an amazing bargain.
A catalog of this semester’s outdoor adventures is available
in pdf form at http://venture.uncc.edu
. Look for printed versions distributed in boxes around campus,
or go by the Venture office, in the lower level of Cone University
by the breezeway that connects the older part of the building to
the newer one (look for the kayak on the side of the building and
you’ll know you’re there).
Venture also offers outdoor leadership training for those who wish
to lead trips and activities. This VOLTAGE program is enormously
beneficial to students who desire a deeper level of participation;
one in which real leadership and responsibility for others is key.
For more about VOLTAGE for to www.uncc.edu/venture/voltage
.
Q: What is the PILOT program?
A: PILOT stands for Programs in Leadership and
Organizational Training. It’s a self-paced program where attending
events, activities, workshops and seminars that you choose from
earn you credits toward PILOT Leadership certification. You can
pick up a schedule of this semester’s PILOT offerings in the
Center for Leadership Development (located on the 3rd floor of the
Cone Center just down the hall from the Candy Shoppe and piano lobby)
or in the Office of Student Activities (2nd floor Cone Center, next
to Main Street Market). You can also view weekly PILOT schedules
by checking the Center for Leadership website at http://leadership.uncc.edu.
Q: I’m told the leadership skills look great on a
resume. What other leadership development does UNC Charlotte have
to offer?
A: Freshmen ready to dive into leadership, can
apply for the Emerging Leaders program. Applications for this prestigious
development opportunity (available in the Center for Leadership
Development and online) are due in mid-September.
Upperclassemen can apply to be part of Leadership Fellows, a twelve
week program which focuses on developing leadership and networking
skills. You’ll get to know campus leaders and be one yourself.
Applications are available in the Center for Leadership Development
office during spring semester.
Leadership opportunities abound at UNC Charlotte. From LeaderShape
(a week-long “leading with integrity” institute) to
conferences, there’s something for the screaming extrovert
to the quiet student who wants to make a difference in their life
and the lives of others. http://leadership.uncc.edu.
Q: Since UNC Charlotte doesn’t have a football team,
do we have any kind of Homecoming?
A: Absolutely! We just do it during basketball
season and we make it a week-long event. Activities are announced
in posters around campus and listed on the Campus Activities Board’s
website, www.uncc.edu/cab.
There is a campus wide Homecoming Committee that is organized every
year. Students are welcome members of this committee. Contact the
Office of Student Activities Assistant Director for Programs at
704/687-2527, or the Campus Activities Board 704/687-2450, who has
a Spirit and Traditions Committee that is involved in Homecoming
planning. You can also visit the Homecoming website: http://homecoming.uncc.edu
Q: Are there any cool festivals to look forward to?
A: Yes! The last Saturday in September is when
the International Festival takes place. It’s an amazing visual,
cultural and gastronomical event. Groups representing cultures from
around the globe gather in native costumes, prepare their home country’s
specialty dishes, play music, dance, entertain and sell goods. The
International Festival has been taking place for over twenty years
and both the campus and Charlotte community come out in great number
to enjoy it. If you’re looking for a fun volunteer experience,
go by the Office of Student Activities and sign up to help at the
International Festival.
In October, the Cone University Center sponsors “A Cone A
Fair,” an annual fall festival where the purpose is for students
to come out and have some fun. You’ll enjoy carnival games,
favorite foods like burgers and candied apples and a lively festival
atmosphere.
Q: Anything on campus to do for Halloween?
A: Sure, if you don’t mind having stuff scared
out of you! The Trail of Terror is a wildly popular, annual Halloween
haunted trail program that the Office of Student Activities sponsors.
(Price of admission is canned goods for the local food pantries.)
And if you’d rather scare than be scared, join the Fright
Crew where you can plan, set up, and haunt your way into a great
volunteer experience.
Q. Does the Office of Student Activities have any paid student
positions or internships available?
A. Yes. There are a variety of paid office positions
open, as well as some non-paid internships and some for academic
credit. We have graduate assistantships in several of our areas
also. These positions are generally filled very early in the school
year, so if you’re interested, don’t wait long to check
into these opportunities.
Q: How do I start a student organization?
A: Go to the student organization website and click on http://studentorgs.uncc.edu.
Any student interested in starting a student organization can do
so by completing a registration form, submitting a constitution,
getting a faculty or staff advisor, and having a list of eight members.
Once the club has been approved by the Student Government Association,(SGA),
you will be set. A staff member from Student Activities can assist
you/answer questions during this process. Go to the Student Organizations
officce in Cone University Center, where the staff member’s
office is located. Good luck!
Want
to add to this F.A.Q list? Email your question to osa@email.uncc.edu
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