With the fall semester beginning at OU, freshmen have plenty of opportunities to get involved and find their place on campus. <\/p>\n
Now is the perfect time to make friends, learn new things and get paid while doing it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Student Activity Fund Assessment Committee (SAFAC<\/a>) consists of eight student organizations that offer pay alongside the fun. <\/p>\n The organizations include Student Congress, Student Life Lecture Board, Student Program Board, Student Activities Funding Board, WXOU, Club Sports, Student Video Productions and The Oakland Post. All organizations can be found in MySail under \u201cStudent Organizations<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Student Congress<\/p>\n Freshmen can get involved through Student Congress<\/a>, which represents the student body and gives students a voice in issues affecting their experience on campus. <\/p>\n Cullen Black, Student Body President at OU, said getting involved can help freshmen find their place in the campus community.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you make an honest effort to find your people once you arrive at OU, you\u2019ll quickly find yourself immersed in the campus community in a way that enriches and empowers you,\u201d Black said.<\/p>\n For freshmen who may feel nervous about getting involved, it can take time to find the right fit but it is well worth it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt took some trial and error until I figured out where I really fit in, but everyone was kind and welcoming, and I gradually came to feel there was a place for me here,\u201d Black said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Student Congress is also looking for students to fill paid legislator positions. <\/p>\n Black encouraged freshmen interested in advocating for students and improving campus life to consider applying.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are always looking for more legislators,\u201d Black said. \u201cAnyone interested in getting paid to help advocate for students and make campus life better should consider applying for Student Congress.\u201d<\/p>\n Follow @ouscofficial<\/a> on Instagram for updates.<\/p>\n Student Life Lecture Board (SLLB)<\/p>\n SLLB<\/a> sponsors a plethora of lectures at OU that are hosted to educate, inform, motivate and entertain OU students and the community. <\/p>\n In the past, SLLB has hosted celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Keke Palmer and American author John Green along with political figures like President Jimmy Carter, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Gloria Steinem.<\/p>\n Being part of the SLLB experience means bringing diverse ideas and perspectives to OU\u2019s campus, whether it be mental health, politics or book talks.<\/p>\n Follow @<\/a>oaklandsllb<\/a>\u00a0on Instagram for updates.<\/p>\n Student Program Board (SPB)<\/p>\n For students interested in events, SPB<\/a> plans events and activities designed to enhance student life and bring the OU community together. <\/p>\n Trinity Thao, the president of SPB, said student organizations can help freshmen build relationships while discovering new interests.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing a part of a student organization is a wonderful way to find yourself and forge strong relationships,\u201d Thao said. \u201cI would remind freshmen to be very open minded along with not being afraid to put yourself out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Thao recommends that freshmen who are unsure of where to start can explore student organizations through the Office for Student Involvement<\/a> or search for organizations on MySAIL.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are the best resources that have helped me find the organization that I am a part of now,\u201d Thao said.<\/p>\n Follow @spbou<\/a> on Instagram for updates.<\/p>\n Student Activities Funding Board (SAFB)<\/p>\n SAFB<\/a> is one of the primary organizations that helps other clubs on campus receive sufficient funds to conduct operations. <\/p>\n Assisting over 300 organizations, SAFB brings new and developing programs within each club to life.\u00a0<\/p>\n The board reviews budget requests, assists with fundraising efforts and provides a widespread benefit to the student body. Each year, SAFB works to make the process of requesting funds easier for all organizations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Follow @oufundingboard<\/a> on Instagram for updates.\u00a0<\/p>\n WXOU<\/p>\n For those interested in music or broadcasting, WXOU<\/a> provides great ways to get involved. <\/p>\n The campus radio station offers opportunities both on-air and behind the scenes in areas such as music, news, sports and promotions. <\/p>\n Kalistin\u00e9 Louca, the general manager at WXOU, said getting involved may be easier than expected.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most rewarding pursuits are usually the scariest,\u201d Louca said. \u201cBut at the end of the day, people are going to be much more inviting and exciting than you would anticipate.\u201d<\/p>\n WXOU also offers volunteer opportunities for students interested in exploring different areas of radio and broadcasting.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will help you start a podcast, host a radio show, do sports commentary or even teach you how to DJ,\u201d Louca said.<\/p>\n Follow @wxouradio<\/a> on Instagram for updates.<\/p>\n Club Sports<\/p>\n Students interested in athletics, without the NCAA athletic commitment, can stay active through club sports<\/a>. <\/p>\n The organization provides students with opportunities to participate in more than 20 student-run sport organizations that range from competitive play to learning a new sport. <\/p>\n These organizations not only welcomes students, but also alumni and community members who possess a Recreation Center Membership<\/a>.<\/p>\n Club sports offer popular sports like football, soccer, basketball and volleyball, in addition to more niche activities like equestrian and rugby. <\/p>\n No matter the sport of choice, club sports offer something for everyone.<\/p>\n Student Video Productions (SVP)<\/p>\n SVP delivers an abundantly creative space for students to produce video content and to network with like-minded individuals. <\/p>\n Aside from creating films, students also watch many with their peers to observe the multi-faceted elements there are to filmmaking.<\/p>\n In the past, SVP has hosted speed dating events, screened films alongside fellow SAFAC organizations and taken part in a variety of activities beyond traditional film production.<\/p>\n Follow @oaklandsvp<\/a> on Instagram for more information.<\/p>\n The Oakland Post<\/p>\n Journalism, advertising, graphic design, photography and distribution \u2014 The Oakland Post<\/a> offers it all. <\/p>\n Oakland University\u2019s student newspaper has been operating since 1973, serving as a workshop for young professionals to hone their talents.<\/p>\n During the academic year, The Post publishes stories online weekly and distributes a free print edition on the first Wednesday of each month. <\/p>\n Sections include campus, features, arts, politics and sports. <\/p>\n Undergraduate students are welcome to apply, though no paid positions are currently available.<\/p>\n However, The Post is always accepting contributors. Students, faculty, staff and even community members are allowed to contribute \u2014 this opportunity is not limited to students. Have a story idea? Pitch it to [email\u00a0protected]<\/a> for the chance to have it published.<\/p>\n