Each day, Dominican students flock to a number of various places on campus. Sure they come and go as they please, whether it’s of academic purpose or not. However, Dominican students are also coming to school to experience the many activities sponsored by the Office of Student Involvement. According to their website, Student Involvement strives to make its presence known to the diverse and growing student body: “The Office of Student Involvement provides every chance for every student to be involved on campus.”
You may ask yourself, “How can I get involved?” The question is almost impossible to answer because the opportunities are nearly endless! Student Involvement not only manages all clubs and organizations on campus but also plans many events. The activities sponsored by Student Involvement range from comedy events to yoga class to Chicago’s favorite sports teams’ games. According to Student Involvement Coordinator, Rachel Costello, Student Involvement has a little bit of something for everyone.
“The office of Student Involvement tries to find as many dynamic opportunities for students to explore,” Costello said. “There are many events held on campus that are traditions and we plan them according to the needs of the student body. The sponsored off-campus events are opportunities for the students to get a chance to experience events at half the cost.”
A ticket to a Chicago White Sox game, for example, ranges from $8.50 to $65. Sure you can pay less than $10 to watch the 2005 World Series champs, but who wants to sit in the last row of the nose bleed section? Student Involvement gives Dominican students the opportunity to attend a Sox game, in a great section, for only $15! Other off-campus events, such as other professional sports games and Broadway in Chicago, are also available to students at only a fraction of the cost.
Aside from the extraordinary opportunities off-campus, Student Involvement also sponsors many events students are welcome to participate in on campus. These events take place each semester and even before the fall semester begins. Every year at Dominican, the first week of the new school year is called Welcome Week. During this time, Student Involvement puts on their largest affair, DU Fest, an event that takes place the Monday before the first day of school each year, is a Dominican tradition. All students are welcomed and encouraged to attend a barbecue and participate in fun games, listen to music, and socialize with other Dominican students and staff according to the Director of Student Involvement Cari Cook.
“This year, DU Fest had about 500 attendees,” she said. “It’s a university tradition!”
This success continues to grow as enrollment expands. The Welcome Week at Dominican also included a Quad Party, live music featuring Steve Means and a comedic performance from Baron Vaughn. Student Involvement not only schedules and plans the events, but also reaches out to students for new ideas.
“We choose performers and events based on student suggestions and feedback,” said Cook. “We’re also proactive, and research performers and events that are coming to the Chicago area that might interest the Dominican community.”
Associate Director of Student Involvement Bill Dlugokienski said students have the most influence on what event take place on campus.
“Each Fall, a group of students attends the National Association of Campus Activities conference in which they get the chance to see different performers and talk with different agencies to see what is available to bring to campuses,” said Dlugokienski. “We also ask for student suggestions during new student orientation.”
Although the Office of Student Involvement may be hidden in the basement of Coughlin, their presence on campus is extremely visible. Colorful posters, vivid flyers and creative banners decorate the hallways of every building on campus. They contain information about upcoming events, new attractions, and the various student clubs and organizations Student Involvement oversees. Like all other departments on campus, Student Involvement relies upon their myDU website to get the word out.
“Our myDU site has been updated with new information about our upcoming events,” said Cook.
Another press release Student Involvement created is “8 Days a Week.” 8 Days a Week is a promotional flyer telling students what activities are taking place that week from Monday to Monday. Each table in the dining room is decorated with 8 Days a Week every Sunday evening. 8 Days a Week poster are also posted all over the Cyber Café and the Grill area.
“This lets the students know what is coming through our office in the upcoming week and allows for any further questions or concerns,” Costello said.
“You can also view 8 Days a Week from ourwebsite at any time,” added Cook.
In addition to these publicity efforts, Student Involvement submits news on myDU’s Campus News section.
“Campus News is effective in promoting events but has to be used in conjunction with other publicity events,” Dlugokienski said. “We try to post most events on Campus News but we also use flyers, banners and other methods to make sure there are different vehicles to convey our message.”
“We try to use as many diverse avenues to ensure that the majority of the student population is aware of upcoming programs and events,” added Costello.
These ‘diverse avenues’ are getting Dominican students interested in the events hosted by Student Involvement.
“We get a good mix of everyone!” said Cook. “Different events draw different crowds, but the important thing is that everyone who attends has a good time.”
Student Involvement’s presence on campus is easy to see. Hallways, classrooms, bulletin boards and social gathering places are decorated with banners, flyers and posters for the various events on and off-campus. As you walk to your next class or log on to a computer on campus, pay attention to the many different ways for you to experience Student Involvement.
