Fins Up for Student Involvement

By Andrew Wildman

What a year, and it’s only September! With the fall semester kicking off, we’ve all been adjusting to the new normal. The good news is that while many classes have gone online and/or are socially distanced, so have many student organizations and events at the University of Mississippi.

The Ole Miss Student Union has planned extensive online programming for incoming students. Starting with the Month of Welcome, the Student Union and Student Activities Association have not only kept the tradition of Welcome Week, but they’ve also expanded to a month with a diverse range of online and socially distanced activities for students to enjoy!

Your student can learn about how to get involved at the university through several avenues, said Will Takewell, UM associate director of student leadership and engagement.

If your student is having trouble finding a group to get connected, then the Leadership and Engagement Ambassadors are there to help. Students can schedule a one-on-one meeting with an ambassador by emailing getinvolved@olemiss.edu. The meetings can be in person or over Zoom. During these meetings, the ambassador will get to know your student and their interests. The ambassador will then help find any of our over 370 student organizations that they think your student would enjoy!

Takewell also recommended The ForUM. This is the Student Union’s online involvement platform. By going to olemiss.campuslabs.com and navigating to the Events tab, students will be able to see an updated calendar of all upcoming events on campus. These events range from a stand-up paddleboard trip hosted by Campus Recreation to drive-in movies hosted by the Oxford Film Festival. Several events happen every day, and they’re all on The ForUM!

Our Associated Student Body has also made the transition online this fall. In addition to ASB Senate elections, it also has First Year Encounters that are designed to get incoming students involved in ASB and other campus organizations. These programs also help build extensive leadership skills and teach students how to have meaningful dialogues on campus. Four programs are offered: three focus on freshmen, and one focuses on transfer students. You and your student can find more information about First Year Encounters at olemissasb.org.

As we move deeper into the semester, Takewell mentioned the Student Union’s continued efforts to adjust future programming so that students can stay involved online. Student Union staff is working on Homecoming events and other fall traditions to transition them to socially distanced/online events. With events happening every day, there are more ways for your students to get involved than ever before. They can even do it from the comfort and safety of their residence halls.

For more information, the Student Union has created several videos on student organizations and online involvement, and guides for The ForUM. These videos are posted on the Student Union’s YouTube page, Ole Miss Student Union. Links to The ForUM and major student organizations can be found on the Ole Miss Student Union website.

Andrew Wildman is a graduate assistant in the OMFA.