Meet Friends, Get Involved and Make a Difference

Following a well-attended Welcome Week, UVA Wise invites students—new and returning—to be active and involved.

“While this has been one of our best attended Welcome Weeks in a while, due to COVID, memories have flooded me as this year reminds me of how engagement was pre-COVID. It has been so nice to see students engaging again,” said Associate Director of Student Activities and Recreation Mikaela Logan.

Logan said the priority is keeping students engaged with plenty of activities whether they’re student organization’s events, intramurals or outdoor recreation trips.

A Variety of Offerings

UVA Wise is hosting two “New Club and Organizational Interests Meetings” to help students find the right fit for them.

They will be held on Monday, August 29, and then Thursday, September 1. Both are at 1 p.m. at the fifth floor of Slemp Student Center.

Clubs and organizations range from academically geared organizations to fun and interest clubs to fraternities and sororities. Offerings range from a gaming club where students play video games to soccer and basketball pick-up game clubs. A pre-professional club creates a network for those considering medical or veterinary school.

If you can’t find one for you, students can also learn how to start a new club or earn funding for campus events, said UVA Wise Assistant Dean of Student Robbie Chulick.

"In the first week of classes, I've already worked with about 5 students to start a new club or organization on campus or bring back an organization that went inactive before or during the pandemic,” Chulick said. “I hope more students will attend our interest meetings to learn more about how they can bring their hobby or interest and turn it into a campus organization.”

In fact, some of those new proposed organizations will be presenting to the Student Government Association for approval this week.

“We always like to make sure students know that if they have an idea, we’d love to hear them and make their ideas happen,” Logan said.

Every Monday, the student recreation office will send out an email highlighting the week’s events including any upcoming events that require registration, Logan said. Students can follow the office on Instagram @uvawstudentrec for up-to-date information as well as check out the TV on the first floor of the Slemp Student Center for more information. 

Zariah’s Journey

UVA Wise junior Zariah Scales, an exercise science major and recently elected Student Government Association (SGA) treasurer, has already noticed an increase in engagement this year.

“People are starting to come out a little more. The pandemic isn’t over but people are getting out more and it’s exciting to see on campus,” Scales said.

“I don’t think it matters where you are in your college career. If you're on campus or a commuter living 20 minutes away, it’s important to get involved.” - Zariah Scales

Scales played on the softball team her first year but a medical issue preventing her from continuing.

“I had to find some other things to get involved and get me out of my room since I wasn’t playing sports anymore,” Scales said. “The main reason I got involved was to meet people and not be in my room studying 24 hours a day. You get the opportunity to make a difference on campus and leave something better than you found it.”

She began working in the Student Recreation office which helped her meet lots of students, staff and faculty. She also joined the Honors program.

Scales, a member of the Darden Society, serves as the communications director for the Black Student Union. Now, she’s a familiar face on campus and enjoys when people feel comfortable coming up to ask her questions. She said the most important thing is “not to be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.”

“You will meet so many people on campus and have fun. It helps mentally and physically too,” Scales said. “Being away from home or even being close by and not having a super close-knit group can get lonely.”

Getting involved can be fun, and helps students let off stress from school. It also builds leadership skills, which can lead to getting an internship, job or making connections for the future, Scales said.

Calling All Leaders

Right now, SGA is looking for students to fill several positions including senator at large, senior and junior senator, sophomore and freshman senators and Year at Wise freshman seats. For more information, drop by the SGA office (Slemp Student Center, third floor) or Student Affairs (Cantrell Hall, first floor). 

“SGA has really helped me see what goes on behind the scenes to identify what students want and be able to help and have input. I really enjoy advocating for the students, and it’s really been fulfilling for me,” Scales said.

UVA Wise is also bringing back its Student Activities Board, a volunteer organization where students have the opportunity to help, plan and organize events on campus. Members get exclusive early access to all events. To register students can email studentrec@uvawise.edu.