By Kia Wynne
The Annual Involvement Fair is a path for student organizations and clubs to find future members and to connect with the student body. Many organizations attended the event, which was located in the Student Center.
The Student Government Association (SGA) arrived to get possible candidates for the SGA elections. The available positions for SGA are freshman, sophomore, junior and senior senator as well as president and vice president. All students are eligible to run if they have a 2.5 GPA.There are also the Graduate School senator, College of Arts and Sciences senator, School of Education and School of Business senator, and College of Health Sciences senator.
“We represent the student body. We write legislation. We write acts. Anything to help the students,” Alaqua Jacobs, Senior Presiding Officer for Academic Affairs said.
SGA hosts weekly meetings every Wednesday in James A. Thomas Hall in room 130 at 5:15 p.m. The organization help create events and advocate for anything that helps the student body.
The Chemistry and Physics Club conducted an experiment to engage students with Acid-Base Tic-Tac-Toe. The club deals with youth outreach related to STEM. Freshman Emily Stiles said the experiment uses black bean juice, base solution made with baking soda and acid solution with vinegar while doing this experiment. This differentiates the juice and the two solutions,which give them different colors.
“We do things like science fairs and youth outreach throughout middle schools and high schools,” President of the Chemistry Club Keriah-Lee Gary said.
The Chemistry and Physics club have meetings weekly on Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m. in Oxendine Room 3246. They seek out professional and academic post-graduate opportunities through speakers and graduate school tours.
The Native American Student Organization (NASO) had a wheel of questions to try to get possible members to engage with them. The organization had many names throughout the years from the mid-1980s to 2024. The purpose is to promote pride in Native American heritage while exploring economic, political and educational opportunities and promoting the unification of Native students on campus.
“It’s cool to be part of a student organization for Native students, by Native students on a historical Native campus,” Jared Jacobs, NASO Social Media Coordinator and Historian said.
Students and faculty are encouraged to come to events and be a part of NASO and learn more about Native cultures during their time at UNCP.
Fraternities and sororities of all kinds were at the event to engage with the community. There are 15 organizations and counting that seek to promote, develop and enhance four of the community’s values which are belonging, academic, community and leadership.
They work together to promote the highest ideals and academic standards. They allow students to experience leadership, social activities, community and philanthropic projects and meaningful projects.
The Black Student Union, founded in Nov. 12,2020, is a safe place for minority students represent and amplify the voices of Black students at UNCP. The club’s undertakes a role to generate understanding and unity among students and community members while promoting the safety, education and support of Black students at UNCP. The organization seeks to accomplish this mission by providing a safe space for students and faculty to talk about current events and issues concerning the Black community.
“Students gather together and talk about current events, social issues, or any issues that they are having on campus as well as provide social events for anyone to gather,” Melanie Patton, Treasurer of the Black Student Union said.
The BSU collaborates with other Black Student organization to tackle issues,history and culture assoiciated with Black students on campus. The club is open to everyone and meets biweekly on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the UC at room 233.
The Muslim Student Association is an educational, diverse and religious organization that encourages both Muslim and non-Muslim students at UNCP to promote unification and discover more about the Islamic faith and Arabic culture.
Many of the student organizations at UNCP have a priority to unify students, create collaboration and awareness on campus.