The University abounds with opportunities to join clubs for different interests, which often allow students to interact with people who share common interests in a fun, easy-going and open atmosphere. While some groups are at the forefront of the campus community, others are rarely spotlighted — here are some students might not hear about.
Oregon Ballroom Dance, for example, was organized in the early 1990s by the Eugene community to introduce people to the fun of social dancing. Students can learn how to dance the cha-cha, the rumba, the waltz and the swing. Jennifer Keller, the club’s president, joined in her freshman year.
Passersby walk toward the Jewish Student Union’s office in the lower level of the EMU.
“I was new to Eugene and wanted to meet people; everyone was diverse and friendly,” Keller said.
During dances the club listens to different types of music, new and old. The club hosts beginning and intermediate lessons every Friday from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Gerlinger 219 and 220. Lessons are followed by dancing from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Members get in free and students pay $4. More information about the club is available at ballroom.uoregon.edu.
The University also offers several pre-professional clubs for students interested in exploring issues in their future career fields. University graduate student Lucas Roberts, a member of the pre-pharmacy club, said the club acts as a guide to the future.
Brenda Tuomi, coordinator of the non-traditional student program, walks into an office that houses many of the diverse campus clubs.
“It’s a means to improving my chances of getting into the field of pharmacy,” he said.
The club, whose mascot is “Phil the Pill,” often meets to discuss the latest trends in pharmacy.
“The club is a great way to meet new and exciting people; we all band together and create unity within the pharmaceutical community,” Roberts said.
Asklepiad is another pre-professional club with a scientific emphasis. The pre-med society, named after the Greek god of medicine, consists of students interested in careers in medicine. According to club adviser Karen Cooper, Asklepiad provides students with volunteer opportunities and a preceptorship program where they shadow a health professional in the community. Students can also hear from speakers in the professional field.
Asklepiad meets twice monthly and also hosts workshops about the medical school application process.
Students interested in philosophy can turn to the Graduate Philosophy Club for inspiration. Member Jena Jolissaint said the club brings in speakers from important areas in philosophy related to current course offerings. The club has scheduled David Krell, a philosopher and author of “Infectious Nietzsche” and “The Purest of Bastards,” to speak this fall. Jolissaint said the club, which is open to both graduate and undergraduate students, aims at creating a broader understanding of the philosophical field.
For students more interested in social activism, Students for Peace may give them an opportunity to speak out. The group right now is concentrating its efforts on peace in Iraq.
“Our mission is to educate students and get them involved to do what we can to stop the war,” said Delicate, one of the group’s members, who uses only one name. “We really believe we can make an impact.”
She said members are currently working on a pledge supporting peace as well as drafting two letters, one to the United Nations and the other to President George W. Bush. Students for Peace meets twice weekly and need volunteers.
Of course, these are just a few of more than a hundred clubs, student unions and organizations on campus. For more information on these clubs or other ASUO affiliated groups, visit the ASUO office in EMU Suite 4.
Arwen Ungar is a freelance writer
for the Emerald.
