Getting Involved

I would like to welcome everyone back and hope you have beenenjoying your first few weeks back on campus. While we ease intothings in the classroom, there is no better time than now to becomeinvolved outside of the classroom. Student organizations now haveapplications available, and today is the day to fill one out, takewhat you’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to thesestudent organizations.

SMU offers many unique opportunities. There are over 200 studentorganizations, with information available in the Student ActivitiesCenter, located on the 3rd floor of the Hughes-Trigg StudentCenter. If you don’t see a group for you, then you have theopportunity to start your own!

Getting involved in a student organization is a very rewardingexperience. On top of applying what you’ve learned in theclassroom, it is a great way to meet new people and developrelationships. In the future, when applying for jobs, it is keythat you have experience in the area you wish to work in. Theseorganizations will provide you with that experience and helpprepare you for the real world. For upperclassman looking to getinvolved in Student Senate, there are currently positions availablefor students in the following schools: Dedman (Declared Majors),Meadows, Cox and Engineering.

For me, getting involved has allowed me to grow so much as aperson. It has allowed me to interact with people I otherwisewouldn’t see and establish relationships with a variety ofpeople all over campus. It has allowed me to step outside mycomfort zone and take risks, often resulting in positive outcomes.There is an organization for you and I challenge you to become apart of it and grow as a person.

For first-years, there are countless opportunities awaiting you.Some of you will have the opportunity to represent your class assenators. You will be given the responsibility of focusing onstudent issues affecting not only your classmates, but the entirestudent body. If you don’t want to make the commitment of asenator, you can still become a part of Student Senate. There areten committees within student senate, including AcademicEnhancement, Appropriations, Communications, Diversity,Environment, Finance, Membership, Organizations, Scholarship andStudent Issues. Being a committee member usually involves about anhour a week.

An additional opportunity for first years is becoming a part ofFirst-Year Class Council. This gives you the opportunity to helpunify the first-year class through setting up programs and otherefforts.

Another unique opportunity for first years is the EmergingLeaders program. This program is designed to teach importantelements of leadership in a variety of aspects such as achievingacademic success, campus involvement, delegation, team building,goal setting, motivating, stress prevention, time management anddiversity.

All applications for these organizations are due by 5 p.m.Friday to the Student Activities Center.

A very important part of our campus life is our athleticprogram. The atmosphere at these events is amazing, as it gives usan opportunity to unite as a University. These student-athletes putin countless hours refining their skills, and your support isneeded.

Tonight, at 7 p.m., the SMU Football team will offer a uniqueopportunity for the entire Student Body. At the First Annual SMUFootball Open House inside Ford Stadium, you will have the chanceto tour the locker room and weight room, run under the inflatableSMU helmet onto the field, hear what’s going on with SMUFootball, as well as what to look for this year and a chance meetthe team. There will also be free food provided by Pluckers. Thisis an event you will not want to miss.

This Saturday, at 7 p.m., the team opens up their season at homeagainst the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Start off the day on theBoulevard, and in order to make sure you get a good seat, get intothe stadium early. With many Texas Tech fans expected, this gamewill most likely be sold out. If you haven’t already done so,be sure to pick up your tickets today in Hughes-Trigg at the ManeDesk or at the Ticket Office in Ford Stadium. It will be a greatyear for Mustang Athletics, and your support is crucial for thesuccess of our teams.

SMU offers a wide variety of involvement opportunities foreveryone. It is not too late to become involved and you don’twant this chance to pass you by. Please don’t hesitate tocontact me at [email protected] or stop by my office, located on thethird floor of Hughes-Trigg in the Student Activities Center. GoMustangs!

Chip Hiemenz is the Student Body President. He can be reachedat [email protected].