We all remember our first Organization Fair: a bunch of tables and signs on Young Commons with a lot of people offering free T-shirts, pens, cups, candy and information. We were excited freshmen, eager to partake in all the fun organizations Elon had to offer. As upperclassmen, we should still be that eager.
Elon has 186 organizations according to the Office of Student Activities. With all these different organizations, there isn't just something for everyone, there is a lot of something for everyone. During the 2010-2011 school year, 14 new organizations were formed. Upperclassmen are bound to discover an organization they didn't know existed at this year's Fall Org Fair.
For example, take the Campus Kitchen Project at Elon University. According to its website, the program is an emerging leader in community service for students and resourceful anti-hunger programs for communities around the country. Elon's Campus Kitchen was founded in the spring of 2011. More students might have heard of it after its grand opening in the 1889 restaurant. Elon's Campus Kitchen serves the Burlington community by providing food to Allied Churches, an organization that provides food and shelter to the area's homeless, and to Caring Kitchen, which gives meals to the area's less fortunate population.
Elon's Greek Life is another example. Kappa Delta, a Pan-Hellenic Council organization, was chartered April 3 and Delta Upsilon, an Interfraternity Council organization was colonized March 31, according to the Office of Greek Life. Kappa Delta's website said the sorority is committed to providing opportunities and experiences that inspire women to greatness. Delta Upsilon is committed to building better men for a global society through service, leadership development and lifelong personal growth of their diverse membership.
These are just three organizations that students new and old can learn about from attending this year's Fall Org Fair. Junior Janae Frazier agrees that upperclassmen should get involved with new organizations.
"After a few years in college, I'm sure upperclassmen have discovered new interests and skills that they never knew about," Frazier said. "They should definitely enhance those skills and learn more about their interests through different organizations on campus that cater to those subjects."
But sophomore Yvette Bean says there's a major advantage to being an older member of an organization: knowledge.
"Upperclassmen should stick with the organizations they are in because they know enough about the organization to take a leadership position," Bean said.
She said these positions can help them make a greater impact within the organization.
And it is true that taking time to get intensely involved in an organization can develop into a meaningful and useful experience. Many officers in organizations have a lot of responsibility and learn new skills.
But there's no harm in taking a look around. With over more than 180 organizations signed up to participate in this year's Fall Org Fair, upperclassmen should go and learn about the new organizations which could present great opportunities for students new and old.