Student involvement encompasses the total amount of physical and psychological energy students invest in their college experience (Astin, 1984). Every activity counts. The ten minutes a residential student spends in the MU quad talking to a career development center worker about the internship they want to get, or the fifteen minutes the Ecampus student spends chatting with an OSU librarian about a project, add to the collective college experience. Getting involved contributes to student success and happiness. Students who are involved engage themselves as active learners by attending classes, completing coursework, and partaking in community activities (Astin, 1984).

All of this contributes to a sense of belonging, and helps you — the student — to find and connect with a community. Community is so important, and contributes to your wellbeing and success. Because success is holistic. Your ability to focus on and learn material is directly impacted by everything else that's going on in your life. And involvement can help you to develop your support network: you meet new people, you develop friendships, you have people checking in with you and people with whom you check in. And all of this contributes to your sense of belonging here, to your wellness, which in turn contributes to your ability to focus on and learn material. All of our experiences are talking to each other, informing each other, informing us.

Here at OSU, we have many opportunities in which you can get involved. Whether you’re interested in volunteering in the community, joining a club, or seeking out a leadership role at OSU, there are myriad ways you can invest your time and energy. And we hope that you will! Your involvement is a vital part of the OSU community, and if you're interested in learning more about your options, visit Student Experiences & Engagement to start your research.

So how can you get involved?

  • Volunteer. OSU’s Community Engagement & Leadership (CEL) has information on service opportunities in the community. CEL can do individual service consultations to help students connect to meaningful service opportunities. They also lead Alternative Break trips (check out their video to get a sense for the experience firsthand from students who've participated). 
  • Join one of the 400+ clubs on campus. Find out more by searching the student organization data base
  • Get to know your neighbor. This could be your roommate, floor-mate, or someone living nearby you. When you spend time getting to know people around you, you are more likely to have people to turn to when you need support.
  • Explore ways to get involved at OSU’s Corvallis Campus.
    • Ask others for advice. Ask professors, advisors, ALAs, CRFs, RAs, RDs and peers about opportunities for involvement based on your interests.
    • See what’s happening with Experiential Learning & Activities. Join a club on campus, or, if you have a passion that isn’t represented, start your own club.
    • Go to on-campus events! Many are hosted by student organizations and the cultural resource centers. New Student Programs & Family Outreach hosts Parent & Family Weekends in the fall and spring; OSUPC hosts homecoming events as well as events throughout the year (Battle of the DJs, Haunted MU, and so much more); CEL hosts days of service each term; and the OSU events calendar is a great way to find these and so many other event opportunities. All students are welcome to join in any of these events.
  • Explore ways to get involved in your local community.
    • When you’re drinking coffee at your favorite café, or enjoying your Boba tea, check out the signs and posters for upcoming events.
    • Look for events and opportunities in your local newspaper. This might be the city newspaper or it might be the Baro or something else you find that's got content that interests you/challenges you/makes you laugh.
    • If you're interested in spiritual involvement, visit local faith-based organizations to find a community that matches your needs.  
  • Be intentional about your involvement by asking yourself exploratory questions:
    • What have you done before that you really enjoyed?
    • What new skills or abilities would you like to gain?
    • What new experiences would you like to have while you're here at OSU?
    • How can your involvement better prepare you for your chosen career field?