Involvement 08 2715

Whether you’re tired of hearing it or not, getting inVOLved can make a difference in your college experience. You’ll make friends, learn things you never could in a classroom, continue passions unrelated to your major and became a more well-rounded human being. Need some help getting started? Good thing you’re holding this paper.

Volume 130 Special Issue

utdailybeacon.com @utkdailybeacon

Thursday, August 27, 2015

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INVOLVEMENT

The Daily Beacon • Thursday, August 27, 2015

DEAR READER, Think back to your summer orientation however many years ago (or just a month or two ago if you’re a freshman).

How many of you rolled your eyes when, each session, someone in an orange polo told you that getting involved with campus organizations would be the highlight of your college career? Yeah, me too (but they still convinced me to attend Ignite Summit).

When I was in high school, I joined and led clubs that I wasn’t actually that interested in (looking at you Beech High School Student Council) just to be accepted to college and earn scholarships. I know this is probably common for most high school students, and most of you probably also made promises to yourself to scale back once you started at UT. Maybe it was to join just one organization or none at all.

I know, I know. I said the same thing, and

swore against being involved up-and-down to my parents when they left me at South Carrick that there was no way I would get involved with anymore than a single organization.

My first semester of college, I was a part of The Daily Beacon, WUTK, Students Promoting Environmental Action in Knoxville and Cultural Attractions Committee.

Needless to say, I lied. I am a liar.

I don’t do all of that anymore and I’ve added other organizations to my résumé since, but I realized a couple of things: First, I am not a person who can live a normal, well-balanced life. Instead, I enjoy selling my soul to various organizations and never sleeping. Second, my college career thus far wouldn’t be worth it without everything I’ve been a part of.

I’ve gotten to explore different types of journalism, where I realized I found that print

journalism is definitely where I fit, organize cultural events and work for a cause that I truly care about. Being involved now holds significantly more weight because I’m doing things related to my future. These aren’t just college application fluffers anymore — they’re résumé builders now.

In this special insert, you’ll find a calendar of some of the most anticipated annual events student organizations hold each year, a quiz to help you find the right club for you, why getting involved is important for your future, information on groups that fly under the radar and other resources and “you-outta-know” stories.

In this insert, we at The Daily Beacon encourage you to find what we’ve found within our organization: a community that allows you to learn as a student and the opportunity to

make like-minded friends. Everyday, I sit in an office with people who encourage and support me in what I want to do, and I’ve found a similar community in every other organization of which I’ve been a part.

College classes are hard. We all understand that, but there is so much to be learned outside the classroom. You’re not going to protest police brutality, plan massive concerts or meet pop culture giants like Laverne Cox or Colin Jost while sitting in a lecture hall.

Really want to get the most out of UT? Get inVOLved.

Sincerely,

EVENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR SPRING FALL Red Zone Awareness Week Lasting from the start of fall semester until Thanksgiving Break, the Red Zone represents the time of year when college students are especially at risk of becoming victims of sexual violence. Sexual Empowerment and Awareness at Tennessee, the group who organizes Sex Week, is hosting four days of programming from Sept.

1 to Sept. 4 to start a conversation on the many factors that cause the Red Zone.

Lip Sync This faux-singing competition is a long-held tradition for UT sororities. Every fall, the newest pledge classes from each sorority train for weeks to choreograph dance routines to themes like Billboard Top 100s or Scrabble. Proceeds made from the event are donated to Habitat for Humanity and the Panhellenic’s charity, Circle of Sisterhood.

Take Back the Night Organized by the Women’s Coordinating Council every fall, Take Back the Night begins with a silent march down Pedestrian Walkway to demonstrate the solitude sexual assault survivors feel and raise awareness on violence against women. After the march, attendees are invited to speak publicly about their direct or indirect experiences with sexual violence in a supportive, confidential and empowered environment.

Greek Week Fraternities and sororities join together to build a house in one week for Habitat for Humanity, culminating the week with an unveiling of the completed home to one Knoxville family. Greek Week is also filled with fun, non-laborious events as well.

Carnicus A UT tradition since 1911, Carnicus barely resembles the event it was over 100 years ago. Originally created by All Campus Events as a way to honor the first circus and vaudeville, Carnicus now serves as a skit competition between both sorority and fraternity chapters. This past year, the Carnicus theme was “Lights, Camera, Carnicus!” in which participating chapters looked towards the silver screen for skit inspiration.

Sex Week Earning the university an official condemnation from the Tennessee Legislature, Sex Week broke out on campus in 2012 and we’ve been talking about it ever since. This week in spring is packed with events which encourage sexual expression, health and awareness. Sex Week programming caters to LGBTQ+ students, abstinent students, sexually curious students and all those in between.

INVOLVEMENT

Thursday, August 27, 2015 • The Daily Beacon

UNDERGROUND CLUB SCENE AT UT With over 450 student organizations on campus, it’s easy for some to get lost in the crowd. From general athleticism to niche gaming, here’s 10 organizations to read up on.

CHESS CLUB The Chess Club can be found mastering their art in Hodges Library.

The club spends thier time teaching others how to play, playing against one another and learning about the history of chess. The club plans to play competitively this year.

“Our goal is to get a match against every SEC school and try to kick some

tail,” Corry Marsh, junior in biological sciences, said. “I played in the state championship for 10 years straight,” Marsh said.

Other members have earned trophies, money and scholarships from winning chess tournaments.

By: Hannah Moulton

STRANGE FRUIT DANCE COMPANY Strange Fruit Dance Company caters to all styles of dance including ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop and more.

“It’s kind of just like an extracurricular activity for people who really just have a passion for dancing,” said Jasmine Harper, member of the dance company and junior in English.

The dance company performs at events both on and off campus.

Strange Fruit Dance Company also has their own personal show, The Strange Fruit Dance Company Annual Spring Showcase.

The group’s spring showcase is stu-

dent choreographed.

Members of the company that want to choreograph have the chance to be chosen to choreograph the showcase dance.

Strange Fruit Dance Company doesn’t require its dancers to have technical training, but having some rhythm is preferred. Having commitment is also an important aspect of being a part of Strange Fruit Dance Company, Harper said.

“We’re just dancers who like to get together and have fun,” Harper said.

By: Hannah Moulton

BEST BUDDIES AT UTK Best Buddies is an international organization that came to the University of Tennessee three years ago.

It is a non-profit program that pairs Knoxville citizens and students with clients from the Sertoma Center that have disabilities.

It encourages friendship and understanding so that students can change the way they view people with disabilities. The organization is meant to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by giving them opportunities to form one-on-one friendships.

“I love it. You learn so much from the buddies. Like, people think you’re just being a friend to them, but really they’re being a friend to you and

it’s so awesome,” Alex Parater, junior in special education, said.

The group meets once a month to hangout and pair people up with buddies. Some of the activities buddies do include picnicking at Tyson Park, attending the Knoxville Ballet, bowling or going to the Chattanooga Aquarium.

They hope to educate students about the needs and abilities of their buddies so they can positively impact the lives of individuals, with and without, disabilities.

By: Sam Kennedy

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INVOLVEMENT

The Daily Beacon • Thursday, August 27, 2015

QUIDDITCH CLUB The UT Quidditch Team, also known as the Tennessee Time Turners, was established in 2013. The team plays “muggle quidditch,” which follows the rules of the Harry Potter universe’s game of Quidditch.

“We don’t fly, the bludgers aren’t iron and the snitch is a person,” Karissa Kirsch, founder of the Time Turners and fifth-year senior in English, said.

Kirsch founded the team after seeing a clip of a documentary about Quidditch. Kirsch then discovered that UT

did not have its own Quidditch team, so she set out to form one.

The game is full contact. The team pulls concepts from sports like rugby, soccer, football and tag, while maintaining the Harry Potter-esque feel.

The team strives to be all-inclusive.

There are no requirements that need to be met, and anyone of any gender can play. No prior athletic experience is needed. You don’t even need to be a Harry Potter fan.

Since starting the team in November

of 2013, Kirsch said that the team has grown in numbers. They currently have enough members to fill out a tournament roster “and then some.”

“We’re super inclusive, super friendly.

It’s a lot of fun,” Kirsch said.“If you’re looking for something to do at UT, you should definitely come out and give it a try.”

that travel and demonstrate their skills competitively.

All levels of instruction are offered to students by trained instructors.

Students or faculty can become members of the Martial Arts Club, or a non-student who has been approved by the Sports Club Executive Council.

“It’s a really cool experience,” Jim Teal, senior in economics, said.

The UT Martial Arts Club meets throughout the week in studio 10 at T-Recs and in the Health and Education Building on Fridays.

The Tabletop Gaming Club at UT includes members that enjoy getting together and playing various types of board games, card games and video games. Some of the role-playing games that the club plays were invented by its own members.

“The main point is to try new things, try new RPGs and to find dedicated groups,” Donnie Hoskins, sophomore in computer science, said.

The founder of the group Tyler Latham, senior in political science and economics, got the idea for the club his freshman year. Latham noticed that UT has an interested group in card games, board games and video games; however, there wasn’t a specific club for them.

“There was humans vs. zombies, there was a science fiction club but nothing really where anyone could play games,” Latham said.

What started as a small group getting together to share common interests grew to approximately 150 people gathering to play role-playing games, board games, video games and card games.

By: Hannah Moulton

By: Hannah Moulton

By: Hannah Moulton

UNDERGROUND CLUB SCENE AT UT PT. II MARTIAL ARTS CLUB The Martial Arts Club combines judo, jiu-jitsu, kendo and taekwondo into one organization.

Each martial arts practice meets at different times. They all focus on developing leadership, sportsmanship, self-control and self-defense.

The UT Martial Arts Club was officially founded in 1991. The judo practice of the club was originally its own club at UT in the ‘70s, but was reborn with additional martial arts disciplines. The club gives students the opportunity to learn skills and use those skills competitively.

Judo and kendo are two of the practices of the Martial Arts Club

TABLETOP GAMING CLUB

INVOLVEMENT

Thursday, August 27, 2015 • The Daily Beacon

HUMANS VS. ZOMBIES Humans vs. Zombies is a five-day game of tag that is played across campus. ” The objective of the game is for all the humans to be tagged and turned into zombies. When someone is tagged by a zombie, they then turn into a zombie and start chasing after the humans. Humans can defend themselves from the zombies by shooting them with Nerf-blasters or throwing socks at them.

The zombies win when all the humans have been turned to zombies, and the humans win if they can survive the whole five days without being tagged.

Humans vs. Zombies is a worldwide

game that originally started at Goucher College back in 2005. Since then, it has gained an international fan base that has received publicity through The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR and The Associated Press.“Basically, someone had the idea that they wanted to play with awesome Nerf blasters on campus and they made it happen,” said Tammy Stackhouse, senior in plant science and bioenergy.“It has grown into something much bigger.”

By: Sam Kennedy

BALLROOM DANCE TEAM The Ballroom Dance team is a competitive team whose goal is to introduce the sport of ballroom dancing to the campus.

Whether you like to waltz, tango, fox-trot, cha-cha, rumba or samba — they do it all. They practice twice a week, learning new dances and preparing for competitions. They welcome people from any ability level and will teach them how to dance.

“Some people just like to do it for fun, and that’s perfectly okay. Other people, like myself, take it very seriously. I got so hooked, I even take classes off campus,” James Tucker, sophomore in computer science, said.

Every semester, the dance team goes to different competitions. In the fall,

they travel to Columbus, Ohio and attend the Ohio Star Ball. In the spring, the team competes at University of North Carolina at Charlotte in a smaller and less intimidating environment, Tucker said.

“The competition in Charlotte is definitely a lot smaller, but it is actually more fun and not as competitive,” Tucker said.

Every so often, the team will put on small performances on campus for students and faculty to watch.

“It’s definitely worth coming and checking it out,” Tucker said.“I went to one practice, and I was hooked.”

By: Sam Kennedy

UNDERGROUND CLUB SCENE AT UT PT. III CLAY TARGET TEAM The Clay Target Team is a group that aims to excel in collegiate target shooting competitions and to allow individuals to meet their own shooting goals. It is a student-driven organization that came to UT about two years ago.

The team focuses on six main areas of shotgun sports: American Skeet,

International Trap, American Trap, International Skeet, Five Stand and Sporting Clays.

“Basically, it’s shotgun shooting, but you have little clay targets you try to hit in mid-air,” said Max Gavin, co-founder of the organization and senior in marketing.

By: Sam Kennedy

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Resume booster

I like making a difference

Why do you want to do service?

Actually, maybe only on weekends

Silent floor, here I come!

So I can live my life

Why do you need the money?

Do you bond over...

Where’s that?

How often do you go to TRECS?

How do we book a group room?

STUDAYYYYY!

Wait, will this hurt my GPA?

will try to find a part-time job.

In your sober state, you...

will try to find a service project.

You might be an uninvolved student.

Do you consider beer a full meal?

PARTAYYYYY!

YOU JUST STARTED COLLEGE! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW?

6 The Daily Beacon • Thursday, August 27, 2015

Philosophy Club

Minority Enhancement for the University of Tennessee

Circle K International

Roosevelt Institute

Knitting and Crochet Club

For the Kids @ UTK Native American Student Association

Student Government Association Cinema Club

Badminton Club

Master’s Social Work Organization

Habitat for Humanity

Best Buddies

volOUT

Darwin Day UT

Black Student Union Undergraduate Mock Trial Organization Tennessee Running Club Golden Key International Honor Society

Clinic Vols

Canoe and Hiking Club

Eco Vols

Young Americans for Freedom

International House

National Society of Collegiate Scholars

Tau Sigma

Quidditch Team

Orange and White Corps

LEAD at UTK

Model United Nations

Project V.E.G.G.I.E.

UNITE

Ski and Snowboard Club

Regal Rowdies

Multicultural Mentoring Program Pokemon Club

Progressive Student Alliance Gymnastics Club

The National Society of Leadership and Success

Chess Club

College Democrats

Roller Hockey Club

Oxfam America Club

TEDx Club

For athletic people

Two words: Leg Day

National Society of Black Engineers

Skate UT

Hillel Jewish Student Organization

Cosplay Club

Amnesty International @ UTK

Tennessee Running Club

Freedom Movement

Vol Tango

Society of Women Engineers at UT

For social people

common interests?

Equestrian Team

Math Club

The Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement

Young Life

Feminist Alliance

Cooking Club

For community For overachiev- For impressively people ing people smart people

To save for grad school

common circumstances?

Women’s Ultimate Frisbee

For “people” people

Good for you!

Thursday, August 27, 2015 • The Daily Beacon 7

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The Daily Beacon • Thursday, August 27, 2015

INVOLVEMENT

CASH FOR YOUR CLUB Even when students opt-in, having enough money as an organization to host all those events and send members to conferences is stressful. Use some of these fundraising ideas to help you earn a little extra cash. By Jenna Butz, Editor-in-Chief

VOLSTARTER

$

It’s just like Go Fund Me or Kickstarter, but it’s Vols only. Upload a video explaining your organization and what you’re raising money for, share the video all over social media and fellow Vols help you support your cause.

FUNDRAISING NIGHTS AT RESTAURANTS Chick-fil-A, Jason’s Deli and Wendy’s are just a few restaurants around campus that host fundraising nights. You talk to a restaurant manager to pick a date, and when supporters of your organization come in, they simply tell the employees they’re there to support you, then you get a certain percent of the proceeds.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING Okay, it does seem a liiittle elementary school, but people appreciate the cheer on cold nights. When someone answers their door, ask for their favorite Christmas carol (and a donation) and sing together.

CAR WASH Don’t fix what ain’t broken. There’s a reason car washes are the go to for fundraising. They’re fun, high energy and tend to make big money. Not to mention that dumpy soapy water all over your friends is always a good time.

YARD SALE As an organization, clean out your closets and drawers and pass out flyers for a yard sale. You can either price things fairly low or go by donation, but either way, college kids aren’t going to turn down cheap, gently worn anything.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL Everyone loves ice cream (if you don’t, move on), and they probably love it more if you add sprinkles, whipped cream and cherries. Create an environment that encourages mingling where everyone can meet your organization.

INVOLVEMENT

Thursday, August 27, 2015 • The Daily Beacon

Students fighting to make a difference It’s mid-2015, and presidential campaign season is already in full swing. Not surprisingly, we’re already tired of politicians’ empty rhetoric.

Ten years ago, things didn’t look much different.

The Roosevelt Institute was founded in 2004 by a group of students who were disillusioned with the political climate in the U.S. They were being asked to knock on doors, give what little money they had and vote on Election Day. Today, students are still largely absent from the political process. Hillary Clinton asks us to express our views on student debt in three emojis or less, but doesn’t ask for our actual solutions. Shallow discussion of the issues occurs on both sides of the aisle, and it prevents students from being involved in legitimate political discourse.

However, we know that students have ideas — good ones — and the UTK chapter of Roosevelt seeks to provide a forum where students can develop and promote policies written by them and designed for their community.

At Roosevelt chapters across the country, students are making tangible change at the local level by leveraging the power of their universities through Roosevelt’s “Rethinking Communities” initiative.

Students at George Washington University successfully pushed their administration to move $500,000 into a community development bank. At the University of Michigan, Roosevelters are working to change purchasing policies at the local and state levels to better support minority- and womanowned businesses.

At UT Knoxville, we have the potential to impact our city in a similar way.

The University of Tennessee has incredible influence in the Knoxville community. The UT system has an endowment of $1.072 billion, creates nearly 33,000 jobs and generates $1.6 billion in annual income for the state of Tennessee. UTK owns a massive amount of real estate in Knoxville and makes up a large part of our city’s social and cultural identity.

As a permanent fixture and economic driver in Knoxville, UTK acts as an “anchor institution” for our community.

Every time UTK builds a new research lab, cuts a program for low-income students, purchases from a local business or adds more money to its athletics program, the surrounding community is affected.

“

Our university has the duty to act as a responsible anchor institution, but money and good intentions can only reach so far without active direction.”

Despite this level of influence, however, many Knoxville residents don’t see the benefits the university provides — economic or otherwise.

Our university has the duty to act as a responsible anchor institution, but money and good intentions can only reach so far without active direction.

At the UTK Roosevelt Institute, we attempt to harness our university’s resources to make the most of the its role within Knoxville. We offer opportunities for national publication, funding, training and a sounding board of motivated students who want to abandon partisan bickering and focus on good policy.

Roosevelt will be holding an interest meeting on September 1 at 7:00pm in HSS room 103A for anyone who wants to get involved. Contact ricnutk@gmail.com with any questions.

Hayley Brundige is a junior in College Scholars and can be reached at hbrundig@vols.utk.edu.

Patrick McKenzie is a junior in biology and can be reached at pmckenz1@vols. utk.edu.

Sawyer Smith is a junior in political science and can be reached at ssmit257@ vols.utk.edu.

Ben Bergman is a sophomore in an interdisciplinary program and can be reached at bentberg@vols.utk.edu.

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INVOLVEMENT

The Daily Beacon • Thursday, August 27, 2015

SO...

YOU WANT TO START A CLUB?

STEP 1

Have a brief meeting with designated staff members in the Center for Student Engagement.

– before regulation process, inform on policies and procedures of registration and running an organization

STEP 2

To log in to the VOLink portal: – Click “Organizations” – Click the button on the left that says “Register” E-mail graduate assistant Brittany Wright at go@utk.edu.

BUT WAIT– WHAT IS A CLUB?

IF REJECTED Don’t fret, you can still submit an appeal.

– Send a letter to the Advisory Committee stating reason and case for becoming a club along with a Letter of Support from the advisor. Submit to go@utk.edu.

– Decision is made by ACSO to disband organization is heard in an appeal case by the Student Life Council.

– ACSO has burden of proof (a detailed statement of why the registration was denied).

– Organization is represented by advisor of choice.

– Organization may present defense.

(Must be given a copy of the charges in a reasonable time in advance).

A club: –Has at least 10 students congregating on campus –Occasionally uses university facilities –Markets themselves as centered on campus

Submit New Student Organization Application at http://go.utk.edu.

– Constitution must include: +Name + Statement of purpose + Membership eligibility requirements (open to all unluess it exists for specific subgroup) + Officers (must be full-time students in good academic standing) + Statement of terms of officers, time and method of election) + Frequency of meetings + Financial statement (Amount of dues and receipting process/agreement that all funds will go through Student Organization Business Office) + Provisions for faculty or staff advisor (Provisions not included, and name of advisor not listed).

*does not constitute UT endorsement

STEP 5 If ASCO approves, recommends organization to Dean of Students and informs petitioning group.

STEP 3 List of all officer names and titles with at least 10 petitioning members submitted in the application via student organization system. (http://go.utk.edu)

STEP 6 Begin operation 10 days after recieving an e-mail, unless notified by the Dean that the recommendation is rejected.

STEP 4 ASCO reviews constitution for conformation to policies and regulations.

INVOLVEMENT

Thursday, August 27, 2015 • The Daily Beacon

Understanding what Opt-in/Opt-out means Bradi Musil

Managing Editor

Within the past few years, the Central Program Council has hosted an Emmy Awardnominated transgender actress, a conservative journalist and Fox News frequent, a Saturday Night Live writer and the former head of the Communist Party.

CPC is entirely student-run and entirely financially dependent on the Student Programs and Services Fee, a $19.46 charge that, as of 2014, students could decide not to allocate to student programming.

This procedural change occurred in June of last year after UT’s Board of Trustees approved a policy allowing students who are opposed to certain student-organized, controversial events to designate their funds elsewhere.

Previously, the student programs fee was allotted to support programming both student organized and not.

However, after the student group Sexual Empowerment and Awareness at Tennessee, SEAT, sponsored a week filled with events encouraging sexual health and awareness on campus in 2012, the Tennessee legislature began discussing ways to limit the taboo group.

“

By opting out ... you’re saying students are: a. not capable of making these decisions, and b. they shouldn’t have free speech.”

-Thomas Carpenter CPC President

The opt-in/opt-out process is the result of a compromise between the university and TN legislature.

Thomas Carpenter, the president of CPC and a senior in classics, said SEAT absorbs a small percentage of the fee, about $.25 of the nearly $20 stipend. Choosing to not support all student programming just to limit one orga-

nization’s funding, Carpenter said, has a much larger impact than students realize.

“What we have is a culture in Tennessee, a very conservative culture that does not promote free speech or ideas,” Carpenter said. “By opting out ... you’re saying students are: a. not capable of making these decisions, and b. they shouldn’t have free speech.

“I think both of those are really, really scary things to say.”

According to Mark Alexander, the assistant vice chancellor for student life, the current percentage of students who chose to opt-in for the the fall semester stands at 82.3 percent.

The fall 2014 opt-in rate was 81.79 percent, while the spring 2015 opt-in rate dropped to 79.98 percent.

Students who do not opt-in by deadline, typically midnight on the first day of classes, are automatically defaulted to opt-out. After the deadline has passed, there is no way for students to change where their programs fees go.

Additionally, even if a student has chosen to opt-in for one semester, they will still default to opt-out for the next semester if they do not manually make their selection before deadline.

Since the Student Programs and Services Fee was previously shared by student-run and non-student-run programming organizations, the CPC budget has not yet decreased as a result of the process change. Opt-in funds are now solely contributed to student-run organizations while some opt-out funds are allocated to non-student programs like events hosted by the International House or Clarence Brown Theater.

Carpenter, noting that the CPC budget should have seen an increase several years ago, said if the rate of students opting in doesn’t increase, or decreases, their budget will face losses, negatively affecting campus programming.

“If these percentages stay the same or get any worse, we could definitely see an impact on our budget,” Carpenter said. “That would be worst case scenario.”

For now, CPC and SGA are focusing efforts on increasing campus awareness about what the policy is. SGA President Will Freeman credits the nearly 20 percent opt-out rate to a lack of understanding on campus of how that fee is applied and what the implications of the process are.

“I think incoming students and incoming families are not 100 percent cognizant of the situation, and I can’t blame them,” Freeman said. “It’s a lot ... I have had students and parents who have come up to me and asked, ‘what if we’ve already opted out and how can we change that?’”

The biggest misconception of the process, Freeman said, is the notion that choosing to opt-out actually waives the nearly $20 fee, when, in fact, the opposite is true.

Students who opt-out waive all their privileges as a student for free admission to student organized events and are instead required to pay public prices at the door.

Usually, this equates to roughly a $5 fee.

However, at last spring’s Volapalooza, the largest, student-organized event of the year, a tradition on campus since 2002, students who did not opt-in were charged $40.

Freeman said SGA will be spending “a lot of resources” throughout this fall to encourage students to become educated on the process and “at least understand where that money goes for next semester.”

The modified process is under a sunset provision and will be reviewed in 2018, when the university decides whether to keep the opt-in/ opt-out process or abandon it.

In the meantime, Carpenter said CPC will continue to host speakers and plan events without hesitation.

“We refuse to not bring an event just because the state legislature might not like it,” Carpenter said. “We’re going to bring an event because we think students are going to enjoy it or learn something from it.

“Unless they repeal the first amendment, they won’t stop us from bringing in an event that we want.”

“

I think incoming students and incoming families are not 100 percent cognizant of the situation, and I can’t blame them.”

-Will Freeman SGA President

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INVOLVEMENT

The Daily Beacon • Thursday, August 27, 2015

BREAK IT DOWN NOW Many of the most popular student organizations on campus are also the largest, and at first, that can be intimidating. That is, until you look a little closer and realize these organizations are actually broken down, and it’s in these sections of these groups that you’ll find a home. Here’s a glimpse into the different branches of some of the largest groups on campus.

Jenna Butz

Editor-in-Chief

CENTRAL PROGRAM COUNCIL ALL CAMPUS ENTERTAINMENT

This committee hosts events that include all organizations on campus like All-Sing and Carnicus.

CAMPUS ENTERTAINMENT BOARD

CEB hosts social events such as Vol Night Long, and members plan and work these high energy events.

CULTURAL ATTRACTION COMMITTEE

CAC is focused on providing students with entertainment that introduces them to cultural aspects they wouldn’t typically have access to.

FILM COMMITTEE

Film Committee brings popular films or film screenings to campus, and these events are typically for free and with two showings.

ISSUES COMMITTEE

This committee invites speakers to campus to discuss hot topics from various angles; these events can be lectures, Q&As, debates or performances.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Academic Affairs works with the deans of each college, the Office of the Provost and faculty to work on resolving academic concerns.

DIVERSITY AFFAIRS

This committee encourages diversity across campus through programs that educate campus on multicultural issues.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

Environment & Sustainability committee proposes policy to lessen the environmental impact of the university and promote environmental awareness.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

New this academic year, this committee educates the UT community about physical, sexual and mental health.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Government Affairs encourages political awareness among students by hosting events related to political engagement and opening discussion between government figures and students.

MARKETING TEAM

NEW STUDENT RELATIONS

VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The CPC Marketing Team provides creative services related to marketing and advertising for the committees to unify the overall council’s branding and approach.

VAC promotes the visual arts by making different forms of art available to the campus community through exhibits, art competitions, lectures and other mediums.

VOLAPALOOZA EVENT PLANNERS

This committee plans UT’s end-of-theschool-year bash: Volapalooza, and the event has brought musicians like Lupe Fiasco, Passion Pit and Fitz & The Tantrums.

WOMEN’S COORDINATING COUNCIL

WCC hosts events that examine women’s issues through a feminist lens to educate the campus community with events like Take Back the Night, the Vagina Monologues and HERstory Month.

This committee works to make freshmen and transfer students feel welcome at their new home while informing them of the resources and opportunities available on campus.

Technology Services gathers student feedback about OIT, shares the various technological resources on campus and works directly with OIT management to improve student experience.

UT TRADITIONS

This committee creates, maintains and revives university traditions like Big Orange Friday and Orange and White Week.

FIRST-YEAR COUNCIL

Composed of 60 students, First-Year Council plans events and proposes legislation of interest to students new to UT.

The case for caring Career center, students emphasize involvement Heidi Hill

Assistant News Editor

“May I see your resume?”

Hundreds of those one page, college “biographies” pass by the Center for Career Development’s interim director Stephanie Kit every day. They answer every detail a student expects to answer when applying for a job — grade point average, credit hours, extra curricular activities, volunteer work and, most critically, job qualifications or skills.

Such qualifications, according to Kit, don’t amount to applicable skills in today’s job market unless backed by some record of involvement created outside classroom achievement.

“Employers will often comment that if they see a 4.0 GPA student who hasn’t done anything outside the classroom, then that can be a deterrent,” Kit said. “So, even if you have a stellar academic record, if they see you are not involved, it can cost you an interview.”

While the list of campus clubs, movements and organizations is always in flux, Kit said the overwhelming number of possibilities can also prevent a student from getting involved — even if that involvement may boost prospects in their career.

“Even though students might have been involved during high school, they come to campus and they’re trying to figure out housing and where to eat and they might not be ready to get involved, even though the beginning of the semester is the easier time to do that,” she said.

Kit is not alone in her observations on involved students trending as the more successful professionals.

In a 2015 survey, the National Association for Colleges and Employers ranked leadership, teamwork ability, written communication and problem solving skills as the top categories employers review when evaluating candidates.

These skills, Kit said, are groomed when a student is involved in campus life, student organizations or active groups that may parlay into the passion that drive a career. “(Getting involved) gives you the opportunity to develop your interpersonal skills, learn how to navigate conflict and how to make decisions,” Kit said. “It’s a great opportunity to develop what are referred to as ‘soft skills’ that are really important to employers and graduate programs as well.”

When Sarah Burleson, senior in child and family studies, arrived at UT in the fall of 2012, she knew she wanted a group that mimicked the quirks of her high school bandmates.

“As a freshman, I went searching for a group of people to be my new community,” Burleson said. “I knew I needed a close-knit group of friends in college just as I had in my high school drum line.”

Though initially overwhelmed by Welcome Week, the Kingsport, Tenn., student remembered signing up with approximately ten groups and organizations that caught her eye.

As the current president of UT’s co-ed rowing team, Burleson said assimilating into a tight knit group made UT’s population of over 20,000 students less intimidating.

“As a new student, it is vital to find a smaller community where you can benefit from friendships and experiences as well as benefit the community in turn with your unique contributions,” Burleson said.

Mohan Muvvala, senior in biological sciences, also attested to the impact that his diverse involvement and connections on campus life gave him, first during his semester-long rush for the professional engineering fraternity Theta Tau. “My friends and I loved every process of getting to know the people in it and what their stances were,” Muvvala said. “This prompted me to go out and discover other aspects of student life in order to make friends from every background, which is always a work in progress.”

Now a member of the Undergraduate Research Students’ Association, Advancement of Neuroscience and SGA’s Diversity Affairs committee, Muvvala said exploring his interests outside the classroom and creating a network reduced his anxiety when he first entered UT. “Some of my greatest achievements were due to knowing the right people who could lead me in the direction I aimed for,” he said. “(And) it’s really hard to try to do everything by yourself, especially if you don’t know how to get there.”

Muvvala also elaborated that involvement remains crucial not only for building skills and network for future opportunities, but also creates a more intimate college experience —the same experience Burleson found in what she considers her on-campus family.

“I am forever grateful to the club that so openly took me in and molded me into the hardworking and determined individual I am today,” Burleson said.

And Burleson’s advice to those who hesitate: just try something.

“You won’t regret it.”