Make A Serious Commitment to Getting Involved

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Author: Mariko Powers

Last Tuesday, the Quad was filled with tables, students, flyers and music for the annual Involvement Fair. Formerly known as Club Day, the Involvement Fair is an event that brings visibility to both new and longstanding student organizations, inspiring us to take action, get involved and learn more about the diverse interests of our peers.

We know each other on an academic level in the classroom, and on a social level from the party scene, but unless we understand someone’s passions, we can’t know the whole person. Clubs and organizations present a window into that world, and without the knowledge of student involvement as presented by the Involvement Fair, we would miss out on an integral dimension of student life.

The recent renaming of the event could not be more appropriate. Tabling has expanded to include representatives from Occidental’s community outreach programs, student resources like the Intercultural Community Center and the Office of Student Life, as well as groups organized around athletics, culture, service, governance, social action, recreation, the arts, writing and Greek life.

After only 15 minutes, I lost track of how many e-mail lists I signed up for. I am now an informal member of 10 or more groups ranging from Dance Aerobics to the Oxy Writers Workshop to the Hawaii Club. Even though there’s no way I will be able to attend each group’s weekly meeting, the significance of the Involvement Fair is that I now know that these groups are available, what their goals are and when they meet. Although this week is no different than last week, I now feel that Occidental holds more people and opportunities than I had ever imagined, and it’s all because I’m aware of the many ways I can get involved.

So here I am, making the same argument that everyone from your mom to your college counselor makes: Getting involved is important. The idea of getting involved is purposefully open-ended. It can include any number of activities, though the central, unifying act is that of joining a community or cause. These associations are (in my opinion, rightly) lauded for their reciprocal effects: their tendency to foster both personal growth and a vibrant learning and living environment.

I spoke with Assistant Dean for Residential Education and Housing Services Tim Chang at the Involvement Fair, where we discussed the significance of being connected with one’s peers and the on-campus community. “Students who are involved tend to do better academically. The more you’re involved, the more you actually realize that it’s not all about one thing, it’s about being balanced and prioritizing and learning how to do that,” he said.

In addition to developing time-management skills, many student organizations help members create the world they would like to see through service and social change advocacy. Adriana Fukusato (sophomore) at the Circle K table said, “Even though there are 20 people in our club, on the international level there are over 500 clubs, and together we really do make a difference; that’s what’s awesome about it.” Circle K raises money for charities and participates in service events such as AIDS Walk and food donation drives.

“Getting involved” means connecting to – and becoming invested in – the environment and people around you, ultimately strengthening the community and creating a more rewarding college experience for yourself. So get out there, get to know your peers and get involved.

Mariko Powers is an undeclared Sophomore. She can be reached at mpowers@oxy.edu.

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