Seth Froese, freshman, wasn’t sure what to do when he wanted to get involved at Washburn. He wanted to be active, but he didn’t know who to talk to. He heard about student government, so he decided to talk to people involved with the Washburn Student Government Association.

“I know more people just from campaigning for [WSGA] than I had expected,” said Froese.

Students starting classes this semester are finding many opportunities for involvement. The campus is full of opportunities to get involved, but many students are unaware of the various organizations, groups and clubs available to serve them. Some, like Student Activities and Greek Life, are set up to have students work alongside faculty to create what ultimately becomes campus life. Anyone who wants to have an in depth student experience should look into joining groups, helping organize events or giving services.

SAGL is a hub used to connect campus organizations with students. Anyone wishing to get involved should go to the office on the lower level of the Memorial Union. Marsha Carrasco-Cooper, director, can help any student seeking more information.

SAGL organizes 114 student clubs and organizations. Each organization must register to receive benefits associated with being an official entity. The most important benefit, said Carrasco-Cooper, is the exposure that clubs get on the SAGL Web site, http://www.washburn.edu/getalife, which is updated daily.

One of the highlights that Carrasco-Cooper emphasizes is the Activities and Majors Fair. She said this event is a big recruiting tool for organizations which otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to show students how to get involved. The event shows what might be appropriate clubs and activities for students. The biggest problem many students have is not getting involved. Carrasco-Cooper said apathy is the greatest opponent of initiative and leadership. She continued by saying not every student needs to be a leader in the traditional sense of the word, but there are so many ways to get involved that there is really no excuse not to use the facilities and services that Washburn offers.

“Employers are no longer looking for just grades,” said Carrasco-Cooper. “Employers are looking for world experience.”

She went on to say employers are looking for transferable skills. They are looking for students who get involved, effectively manage their time and engage in events, meetings and specifically targeted paths.

One clear example of a targeted organization is the student-led American Medical Student Association. AMSA is for pre-med, dental and similar undergraduate work. John Mullican, associate biology professor, said that AMSA can help students find study partners, meet people quickly and gives an opportunity to talk to upperclassmen.

“AMSA exposes you to opportunities that will help make you more competitive to get into medical school,” said Mullican. AMSA is committed to supporting medicine and other health fields, but clubs exist in most departments on campus. Mullican said the biology and chemistry clubs provide outstanding benefits. He suggests students keep a journal or log of their campus activities so graduate schools can look at contacts, involvement and other job-pertinent information. Mullican said these extra-curricular activities are important additions to Washburn’s academic opportunities.

In a similar line of thinking, Joel Bluml, director of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, said getting involved is essential. The SRWC recruits students during Blueprint and makes presentations during Junior and Senior Days. This makes the SRWC one of the largest student employers on campus. Applications are accepted year-round, but applicants are advised to apply the summer before classes begin because employment process at the SRWC starts early in the fall semester.

The SRWC is flexible for students’ benefits. Bluml said students are obligated to maintain their class loads while working, but students can choose their own hours. The SRWC is available for any student to use.

“We’re here to support the student,” said Bluml.Seth Froese, freshman, wasn’t sure what to do when he wanted to get involved at Washburn. He wanted to be active, but he didn’t know who to talk to. He heard about student government, so he decided to talk to people involved with the Washburn Student Government Association.

“I know more people just from campaigning for [WSGA] than I had expected,” said Froese.

Students starting classes this semester are finding many opportunities for involvement. The campus is full of opportunities to get involved, but many students are unaware of the various organizations, groups and clubs available to serve them. Some, like Student Activities and Greek Life, are set up to have students work alongside faculty to create what ultimately becomes campus life. Anyone who wants to have an in depth student experience should look into joining groups, helping organize events or giving services.

SAGL is a hub used to connect campus organizations with students. Anyone wishing to get involved should go to the office on the lower level of the Memorial Union. Marsha Carrasco-Cooper, director, can help any student seeking more information.

SAGL organizes 114 student clubs and organizations. Each organization must register to receive benefits associated with being an official entity. The most important benefit, said Carrasco-Cooper, is the exposure that clubs get on the SAGL Web site, http://www.washburn.edu/getalife, which is updated daily.

One of the highlights that Carrasco-Cooper emphasizes is the Activities and Majors Fair. She said this event is a big recruiting tool for organizations which otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to show students how to get involved. The event shows what might be appropriate clubs and activities for students. The biggest problem many students have is not getting involved. Carrasco-Cooper said apathy is the greatest opponent of initiative and leadership. She continued by saying not every student needs to be a leader in the traditional sense of the word, but there are so many ways to get involved that there is really no excuse not to use the facilities and services that Washburn offers.

“Employers are no longer looking for just grades,” said Carrasco-Cooper. “Employers are looking for world experience.”

She went on to say employers are looking for transferable skills. They are looking for students who get involved, effectively manage their time and engage in events, meetings and specifically targeted paths.

One clear example of a targeted organization is the student-led American Medical Student Association. AMSA is for pre-med, dental and similar undergraduate work. John Mullican, associate biology professor, said that AMSA can help students find study partners, meet people quickly and gives an opportunity to talk to upperclassmen.

“AMSA exposes you to opportunities that will help make you more competitive to get into medical school,” said Mullican. AMSA is committed to supporting medicine and other health fields, but clubs exist in most departments on campus. Mullican said the biology and chemistry clubs provide outstanding benefits. He suggests students keep a journal or log of their campus activities so graduate schools can look at contacts, involvement and other job-pertinent information. Mullican said these extra-curricular activities are important additions to Washburn’s academic opportunities.

In a similar line of thinking, Joel Bluml, director of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, said getting involved is essential. The SRWC recruits students during Blueprint and makes presentations during Junior and Senior Days. This makes the SRWC one of the largest student employers on campus. Applications are accepted year-round, but applicants are advised to apply the summer before classes begin because employment process at the SRWC starts early in the fall semester.

The SRWC is flexible for students’ benefits. Bluml said students are obligated to maintain their class loads while working, but students can choose their own hours. The SRWC is available for any student to use.

“We’re here to support the student,” said Bluml.