Eastern provides students with a wide variety of clubs and organizations to choose from.

Registered Student Organizations can range anywhere from hunting, Greek life, and ice hockey.

There are also a wide variety of multicultural groups on campus, Director of Student Life Ceci Brinker said.

“If students can’t find something that interest them, they can come into the Student Life Office and start the process to start their own club,” Brinker said.

A student has to have at least 10 other students interested in joining the club, as well as a faculty or staff adviser, she said. From there, the student government will go through an approval process to decide if the suggestion will become an RSO.

RSO’s are not the only after school activities students can get involved in.

Students also have the option to become part of the University Board, Brinker said.

“(The University Board) is charged with bringing affordable entertainment to campus,” Brinker said.

Students can gain a leadership position on the UB, which is a paid position, she added.

“UB loves to have students on committees,” she said.

Another way to hold a leadership position is to join student government.

Student government represents students concerns and needs, Brinker said.

Students can also join the subcommittees of the student government.

“Whether in a leadership position or on a subcommittee, the student government provides for students,” she said.

If students do not want to hold a leadership position, there are more than 10 committees that students can join.

Students can also get involved around campus by helping out in the community, Brinker said.

With community service opportunities growing on campus, Brinker said “there is no better experience than (giving) yourself to volunteering.” Students can always find a way to get involved, she added.

Rachel Fisher, interim director of Student Community Service, said she felt volunteering is a positive activity.

“Volunteering allows us to help and support others while also engaging in our passion and interests,” Fisher said. She added it is important to take a break from life to help make Eastern’s community stronger.

“Students have to take the first step to getting involved on campus,” Brinker said.

Students can also dedicate their time to Prowl and Jumpstart to get involved in volunteer. This helps make students comfortable with campus, she said.

“We encourage them to explore or expand their horizons by getting involved,” Brinker said.

Brinker said students who are active in campus life are more likely to stay in school.

“Getting involved also means having school spirit,” she said. “Whatever students do, they need to really, really bleed blue and support their school.”

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-7942 or slmcdaniel@eiu.edu.