Student Organizations: Your connection to NEIU

At a commuter school like Northeastern Illinois University, it is not always easy for students to feel connected to campus life. Many students come and go without doing much more than attending class.

For students who want to get more out of their college experience, the Student Organization Fair is the best opportunity to get involved. This spring semester's organization fair took place on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 and attracted many students, new and old.

The organizations at the fair ranged from ethnic clubs like the Chinese Students Club, to social clubs like Students Against War (SAW). From new organizations like the Omega Phi Alpha Psi co-ed fraternity, to career-oriented clubs like the Accounting Associates Club, the different types of clubs reflected the diversity of NEIU.

"It's such a diverse campus with all different kinds of languages," said Heather Dean, President of GLBTA. "There are so many different types of people that I think we really need as many clubs to represent the student body as possible."

Many club members and officers stressed the importance of student organizations at a school like NEIU.

"I think it's really important, for Northeastern in particular because it is a commuter school, to have more organizations," said Gabriela Coronel, a member of Omega Phi Alpha Psi. "The more organizations that are out there, the more students will be involved."

Veronica Rodriguez, Vice President of Student Activities, also pointed out the importance of students getting involved on a commuter campus in order to feel connected to their school.

"Students that are more connected to the university are more likely to stay. They're more likely to graduate and they're more likely to do better in school," said Rodriguez. "It's very important that we give as many opportunities for them to find a place where they feel like they can connect."

Students can gain even more than a stronger connection to NEIU by joining an organization, however. According to Rodriguez, the benefits of getting involved extend to life outside the university as well.

"Being involved in student organizations are very important when you go into the workforce," said Rodriguez. "A lot of graduate programs, a lot of employers are looking for the fact that you've been involved in leadership, that you know how to work on a team, that you know how to interact with different people."

Although there are numerous clubs and organizations to join, some students will never get involved and feel connected to NEIU.

"Even with a student fair, I think there's a general lack of community on campus that really doesn't encourage students to get involved and I think that that's a big problem on campus," said Chris Poulos, President of SAW.

Rodriguez, however, remains optimistic about the involvement of NEIU students.

"I know that probably a lot of people in the past have felt that students at Northeastern kind of come and go and there's no student life, and that seems to be growing and changing and getting better."