SUNY Cortland’s Student Government Association hosted their semi-annual Club Fair on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 6 to 8 p.m. in the Student Life Center, providing students with opportunities to explore new interests and get involved on campus.
SGA’s Role
SGA President Khyla Diggs said that the goal of the event was to help students find “just what they are looking for,” with 72 on-campus SGA organizations to choose from and 32 club sports teams.
“Cortland can feel really isolating at times, especially for first-year students,” said Diggs. “I think the club fair is filled with friendly faces that want you to feel welcome and honestly without it, I don’t know if I would love Cortland as much as I do now.”
Chief Financial Officer Parker Arenas played a key role in organizing the event, arranging areas into specific niches for students to browse.
“I didn’t even know there were this many clubs on campus,” said a member of the women’s rugby team, who stopped to check out The Dragon Chronicle’s table.
Sports Clubs
Third-year physical education major Maeve Szwed represented the new Rock Climbing Club and said she wanted to get their name out there, since it is their first semester up and running.
“You don’t really need experience to join,” said Szwed. “It’s a community and we’ll help you.”
The club featured a makeshift belay at the fair, showing students the basic techniques and fundamental skills of the sport.
Several other sports clubs were featured at the event such as running, softball, and Tae Kwon Do.
Aside from the strong presence of sports-related groups, academic groups were in attendance to fit every student’s needs.
Educational Organizations
Education-related majors account for one-third of SUNY Cortland’s undergraduate population.
“We are future teachers in the making looking to make a difference in the world,” said Education Club President Aralyssa Lopez. “We are looking to create a community for future teachers to rely on for support.”
Lopez is an early childhood/childhood education major who wants incoming members to know that the club is a great way to make connections and expand your knowledge and experience in the field of teaching.
Just as the Education Club fosters a sense of community for future teachers, other student organizations also strive to support their members’ professional goals. The Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students is dedicated to providing underrepresented students with skills to flourish in the medical field.
Club President Kyla Young said that the club allows her to meet a lot of different types of students and that the club is always trying to see new faces.
“The club is open to any major and for all health careers,” Young said.
Similarly, NSSLHA, the Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders Club, is working to bring awareness to the campus community as well as promote their upcoming fundraising event.
Seniors Denneille Graham and Kaylee Niznik announced that the club will organize a 5K color run on March 29.
Communication and Media Studies majors have a variety of educational clubs to choose from, such as The Dragon Chronicle, CSTV, and WSUC-FM. WSUC-FM Secretary and Social Media Chair Eve Carlo said that the club gives everyone a platform to voice ideas that they feel passionate about.
“We hope to gather a new wave of topics and ideas for people inside and outside of the Cortland community to listen to,” said Carlo. “WSUC is still a little hidden so we are also here to branch out to other majors or people of different interests that might not have known this was a club or option.”
Greek Life
Most fraternities and sororities were present to promote their upcoming spring recruitment events.
“It is important to our fraternity to keep the traditions of our brotherhood alive and strong on campus,” said Alpha Phi Delta President Jason Kolk.
Spring recruitment is crucial for greek organizations to bring in new faces, prominently freshman and transfer students.
“We’re here today because we want to remind everyone that though we are small, we’re still here,” said Jade Entien from Nu Sigma Chi.
Creative and Community Engagement Clubs
Fine Art Studio major Kat McCormick of the Art Exhibition Association said that the club is always creating different events for students to enjoy.
“We promote different types of arts and crafts to students of all majors, hosting workshops, planning museum trips and more,” said McCormick.
Whether through artistic expression or community service, student organizations provide opportunities to grow and make an impact. The GIVE club focuses on bringing people together for a good cause.
“This organization is a great way to get involved and do something really rewarding with your time,” said Outdoor Recreation student Aidan Nikic. “We build a sense of community in our club, and you’ll meet people with all the same interests and goals. Connect with other leaders and amazing people.”
The SGA website and social media platforms are updated throughout the semester on student-run organizations.