Getting Involved
Keeping busy, expanding your horizons, finding a like-minded group of people to make you feel more at home.
Registered Student Organizations (RSOs)
UMass Amherst has one of the largest and most diversified student activities programs in the country. With over 200 Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) there are probably several that would interest you, no matter what your tastes. RSOs are great places to meet new people, get real world experience, and feel at home. There are RSOs based on academic interests, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, arts and media groups, honor societies, political groups, religious organizations, and sports. And that’s just the beginning. If you don’t find one that fits your needs, you can start a new one.
In addition, you are not limited to UMass Amherst student organizations; you can join groups at any of the five colleges. The Five Colleges website can lead you to a comprehensive listing of student clubs and organizations associated with all of their schools.
Community Service
Another way to get involved is to participate in community service. One of the benefits of college is that it gives you the opportunity to give back to your community while exploring your interests and getting loads of practical experience. UMass Amherst provides ample opportunities for community service and will help guide you along the way. In most cases, you’ll earn UMass Amherst credits while enhancing your college experience.
The best place to begin is the Office of Community Service Learning (OCSL), which will help you identify community service opportunities and tie them into your overall education. OCSL is located in the Commonwealth College (because community service learning is an important part of their curriculum), but it is available to any student at UMass Amherst.
Greek Life
Joining a fraternity or sorority can be an ideal way to experience all of the things that make life at UMass Amherst so great including: academics, social life, community service, sports and recreation, and career development. There are also opportunities at UMass Amherst to join traditionally African-American, Latino/Latina, Asian-American, and multicultural fraternities and sororities (although all of the Greek organizations are open to anyone, no matter their background). Most of the fraternities and sororities on campus participate in a formal recruitment process in the fall and then have a more open process during other parts of the year. You can jump into the process as a freshman, or wait until later.
If you’re a member of a fraternity or sorority, and at least a sophomore, you can live in the chapter house (if there is one) as an alternative to living in the residence hall.
Go to the Office of Fraternities and Sororities website to find a list of chapters, get information on rush, and learn more about your options.
Intramurals and Club Sports
Join a sports club or start an intramural team. There are plenty of ways to get a workout or get involved in sports if you’re not a varsity athlete.
Student teams are able to compete against other schools as part of the sports club program, and against each other as part of intramural competition. If you like something less organized, or you just want exercise, you can use the campus recreation centers. These free centers are open to undergraduates during the school year and provide great workout facilities.
Go to the UMass Amherst Campus Recreation web site for complete information on intramurals and club sports as well as recreation facilities.
You will also be able to workout in some of the residence halls. Housing Services has four Residential Wellness Centers. Student membership allows access to all centers and the trained staff will help keep you fit. The Wellness Centers are fee-based and are separate from the campus recreation programs (see above).
