Get involved The Northwestern guide to involvement
Get involved. Be engaged. Make a difference.
At Northwestern University, there are endless opportunities outside the classroom. Getting involved is “the Wildcat way,” enabling you to meet new friends, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun.
If you want to pursue an existing interest—or explore potential new interests—chances are Northwestern has opportunities for you. The University has hundreds of organizations, ranging from groups devoted to hobbies or community service or cultural identity to fraternities and sororities. (Find a list of almost 400 organizations at northwestern.collegiatelink.net /organizations.) You can join a group or drop in on activities that don’t require a commitment, like taking a Chicago neighborhood tour or attending a campus concert or heritage fest. And if you don’t find an outlet that fits, the staff in the Division of Student Affairs will help you create one. Are you ready to be involved? Start with this guide, which will help you make the most of everything Northwestern has to offer.
Sincerely, Patricia Telles-Irvin Vice President for Student Affairs
From service to performance to activism and anything in between Norris Center for Student Involvement Third floor, Norris University Center 847-491-2350 campus-activities@northwestern.edu www.csi.northwestern.edu Whatever your interests, the Norris Center for Student Involvement is the place to start. Through CSI undergraduates learn about all that Northwestern has to offer outside the classroom and find ways to get involved on the campus and in the community. Students and student groups interested in service and philanthropy can get connected to volunteer organizations in Evanston, Chicago, and beyond. They can develop their leadership skills through seminars, trips, and other experiences. Numerous theater, voice, and dance groups are available to students interested in exploring their performance side. Social justice
organizations promote social change through edu cational programming and activism. Ranging from Chicago-area trips to on-campus concerts, speeches, and film screenings, CSI’s programming provides opportunities to explore your surroundings while having fun with other students. Hundreds of student-run organizations receive programming advice and support from CSI. Its grant opportunities encourage student groups to collaborate in developing unique programs and events. To equip students with the tools needed to sponsor successful programs, CSI offers workshops and seminars that help develop skills in programming, understanding contracts, fundraising, and more. Wildcat Connection, CSI’s online resource for student organizations, helps them share news, promote programs, and connect with their members and other groups across campus. It is also a great place for students to explore extracurricular opportunities and ways to get involved.
Community, scholarship, service, and leadership in Greek chapters Fraternity and Sorority Life Scott Hall, Room 29 847-491-4522 ofsl@northwestern.edu www.northwestern.edu/gogreek www.facebook.com/nuofsl www.twitter.com/nuofsl Fraternities and sororities have been a part of Northwestern since 1859, playing an important role in the lives of thousands of students and alumni. Their educational programs, social activities, service projects, and leadership development opportunities contribute much to the University community. Northwestern currently has 42 chapters across four governing councils that range in mission from social to service to cultural. Total membership of more than 3,000 students comprises 35 percent of the campus community. A fraternity or sorority provides a home away from home. Members enjoy a sense of belonging, understanding, and respect. They are constantly strengthening their bonds of friendship through social events and philanthropic and service activities.
Joining a fraternity or sorority allows you to benefit from the wisdom of your peers regarding, for instance, course registration and class content. Many chapters also coordinate tutoring sessions, study groups, or special treats for finals week. The attention to academics pays off: the all-Greek GPA of 3.47 is consistently above the all-student average. Fraternities and sororities provide opportunities to get involved in a leadership role, whether serving on a chapter committee or council executive board or taking an active role in programs and events. Members also have key roles in other campus organizations, such as Dance Marathon and For Members Only. Whether holding events to raise money for worthy causes or volunteering their time to community organizations, fraternity and sorority members give back to the community. Each Northwestern Greek chapter hosts philanthrophic and service events; as a whole the community raises a total of more than $500,000 and contributes nearly 30,000 service hours each year. The community also comes together on GreekBuild, which works with Habitat for Humanity to fundraise and build a house for a Chicago-area family.
A home away from home for Northwestern’s diverse groups Multicultural Student Affairs 1914 and 1936 Sheridan Road and Third floor of Norris University Center 847-467-6200 msa@northwestern.edu www.northwestern.edu/msa Multicultural Student Affairs is a hub for cultural, intellectual, professional, and social engagement on campus, providing students with opportunities to broaden their perspectives and social networks. Through MSA, students of historically underrepresented backgrounds find a warm welcome from their peers, while the broader University community benefits from MSA’s cross-cultural programming and community-building initiatives. MSA comprises four departments that are housed in three buildings. African American Student Affairs (AASA) is located at 1914 Sheridan Road; Asian/Asian American Student Affairs (A/AASA) and Hispanic/Latino Student Affairs (H/LSA) are housed in the Multicultural Center at 1936 Sheridan Road; and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)
Resource Center is located on the third floor of the Norris University Center. The facilities at 1914 and 1936 Sheridan Road offer quiet study spaces, meeting rooms, TV lounges, and computer labs, while the resource center offers a cozy space for students to connect. All three spaces are a welcoming retreat for students, who are encouraged to visit often. There are a variety of ways to get involved with MSA. With more than 60 student organizations to choose from, students can easily affiliate with those that match their interests, including academics, identity, culture, dance, religion, and community service. MSA departments also sponsor Freshman Activities Boards, which are especially designed to help firstyear students meet peers and MSA staff members. Students are also encouraged to contribute by planning programming initiatives, volunteering for special projects, or working as MSA employed student staff. For more information on how to get involved with these programs, services, and student organizations, visit the MSA website or schedule an appointment with a staff member.
Exploring the spiritual dimensions of life Office of Religious Life Parkes Hall, Room 139 847-491-7256 chaplain@northwestern.edu www.northwestern.edu/religious-life Northwestern enjoys a rich and diverse religious life that supports and challenges the intellectual pursuits of the University. The Office of Religious Life helps students, faculty, staff, and others explore their religious and spiritual dimensions. The some 40 religious groups (see www .northwestern.edu/religious-life/religious-life /communities.html) and 6 religious centers (www.northwestern.edu/religious-life/religious-life /ministry.html) on campus represent most of the world’s religious and philosophical traditions. They provide opportunities for worship, reflection, service, and action. If you can’t find a good fit among the existing groups, you may contact a University chaplain to find out how to start a group.
The Alice Millar Chapel and Religious Center is the hub of religious activities and ceremonies on campus. Along with Sunday nondenominational worship, it hosts musical, social, service, and other religious events throughout the year. Adjacent Parkes Hall houses social rooms and the offices of the University chaplains. Interfaith activities promote cooperation and dialogue among traditions. The student-organized Northwestern University Interfaith Initiative meets weekly for a light dinner and ethical inquiry. It also plans the annual Religious Awareness Week and other interfaith events for the wider campus community. You may decide you want to apply to live in the Interfaith Living and Learning Residence Hall—or just join its residents for a fireside chat or “dessert and dialogue.” The residential community houses students from diverse religious, cultural, and academic backgrounds. Campus chaplains, ministers, and rabbis strive to build a community of conscience and spiritual awareness searching for and celebrating the words on the University’s motto: “Whatsoever things are true.” You do not need to belong to a religious tradition to ask for a meeting with one of them.
Fitness resources to support your active lifestyle Fitness and Recreation Henry Crown Sports Pavilion 847-491-4300 fitrec@northwestern.edu www.fitrec.northwestern.edu Do you want to work out, play a team sport, get a massage, learn to sail? All of these possibilities and more are available through Fitness and Recreation, which offers intramural and club sports, fitness and aquatic facilities, classes, and fitness services. You can take advantage of three fitness facilities (Henry Crown Sports Pavilion and Norris Aquatics Center, Patten Gymnasium, and Blomquist Recreation Center), a sailing center, and a private beach. Fitness classes; indoor tennis, racquetball, and squash courts; an Olympic-size pool; and an indoor track are available for free to full-time students. Massage therapy, yoga and pilates classes, personal and small group
training services for fitness conditioning, and instruction in various sports are offered at reduced student rates. You can participate in nine different intramural sports with various levels of competitiveness. Dodgeball, football, and volleyball are played fall quarter; basketball and hockey winter quarter; and soccer, softball, and Ultimate Frisbee spring quarter. Teams come from residence halls, residential colleges, student groups, and fraternities and sororities, and any Northwestern student can join a team. There are dozens of tournaments and recognition for various achievements during the year. Sports clubs offer you a structured environment to develop leadership and refine skills while competing against area school teams. There are more than three dozen clubs to choose from; visit www.clubs .northwestern.edu for details. Every full-time student is an NUFitRec member with all member benefits, including free access to cardio/strength group exercise classes.
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