USUSA creates student involvement map

Welcome to Utah State University where we have a pretty campus, accomplished alumni, and cheap tuition.

While these may be reasonable excuses to attend, they do not capture the real reason why Logan is so beloved. To grasp the heart and soul of “The Scotsman,” our famous anthem, we sing, “Show me the true-blooded Aggie from Utah who doesn’t love the spot where the sagebrush grows.”

We look deeper than the words and find what gives us reason to be lifelong Aggies. We commit to something bigger than ourselves. What makes USU so comfortable? It’s the people we surround ourselves with who seek to better our workplaces, our communities and our beautiful school. It’s the people here that make this university feel like home!

Part of the university experience includes getting involved with campus activities and organizations. Whether you’re looking to meet people or become part of an organization, it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start or how to join.  

If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure which campus organization has the best fit for you, here are a few ideas to get started.

Daria Griffith, a college of humanities and social sciences Senior and the Utah State University Student Association representative for Student Alumni Association, created the Student Involvement Map to help students identify different organizations already established on campus.

“I call it the SIM,” she said.

The SIM is an interactive flowchart display designed to show all of the student groups available on campus.

“I told my roommates I was a part of SAA, President’s Cabinet and other student organizations and they had no idea what I was talking about, “Griffith said.” So I drew them a diagram and realized the entire student body needs this.”

Three years in the making, Griffith met personally with staff and student leaders, asking them questions to better understand what they do and where she could get involved. She said this was her initiative from the 2017 Miss USU Pageant, of which she was awarded First Attendant. It sparked to life in Matt Sanders’ Communication and Leadership course and she got the green light campus from Linda Zimmerman at the Student Involvement Office.

By using the SIM, students can observe how organizations are interrelated and distinguish the lesser known organizations from the more visible ones. Most students are first introduced to the A-Team, Ambassadors, Blue Crew, the Hurd or Fraternity and Sorority Life, for example. They might attend True Aggie nights but don’t realize SAA hosts it. They may be unfamiliar with the students on USUSA, the Academic Senate, or the service center staff.

If student leaders want to represent the student body, they have opportunities such as the fee board, President’s Cabinet, diversity council, or they could start a club of their own, to name a few places. Other opportunities are there, but students might remain unsure of what’s available, where to go and who to talk to. The SIM can correct misinformation about these opportunities, allow student leaders to direct students to the right source, and strengthen inter-organizational communication on campus, providing clarity for both students and campus administrators.  

Campus administrators are very supportive of the project. They want students to be successful and engage with their school. Utah State Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. James Morales said it is especially great for transfer students and incoming freshman.

“If students find ways to engage with their school, particularly during the first few weeks of their first semester, they are more likely to be successful. The connections they make help them address any challenges, academic or personal, not only during the first semester but also throughout their entire university career.”

Linda Zimmerman said the SIM can “help students connect with other students who have similar interests to better the school and the students college experience”.

Physical copies of the SIM were given to incoming freshman during orientation and at the 2018 Aggie Blue Leadership Conference hosted August 20-21. With the help of graphic designers, students will also find the SIM on the Student Association main page, ususa.usu.edu, with quick links to clubs and basic contact information for directors.   

Fall semester 2018 will be loaded opportunities to learn about events, collaborations, and organizations. Seeing both student and admin sides of campus involvement, Griffith hopes students find an organization that fits their needs.

“With education comes action. Once we know the things we didn’t before, it’s in our hands to do something about it,” she said.

— natecade.cutler@aggiemail.usu.edu

@natesmilescutler