SU Involvement Fair. Image courtesy of Brooke Birckhead.
As college campuses all over the world are finally “breaking free” from COVID-19, there are a lot of changing patterns from the students. Here at Salisbury University, it has been no surprise that students are wanting to become involved now more than ever.
A plethora of students showed up at the involvement fair to join clubs and become a part of a community. Audrey McNeal, a senior at SU involved with Food for the Flock, had recognized this boost in involvement.
“[Since] I joined three years ago there has been a major shift,” Audrey said. “Even though we are a strange club in the sense that we don’t have weekly meetings, we simply cannot get enough volunteer spots because so many people have gained awareness and they want to help out.”
Administrative assistant for the admissions house LaShonda Brown also recognizes the increased involvement compared to years past.
“There was absolutely a decrease not only here, but the interested high school students when it came to having an interest in joining a club," Brown said referring to the first years after the COVID-19 quarantine. "Now, students even seem excited to see what we have during tours and they want to see what we have to offer to keep them occupied when they’re not busy after class and weekends.”
Fraternities and sororities are also seeing a rise in student participation this semester. Ryan Minton, a member of Alpha Sigma Phi, shared his experience with frat life and how he was hesitant to become involved at first.
“Being a part of a fraternity was always something I wanted to do but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to join my freshman year,” Ryan said. “My experience at SU has become a thousand times better once I joined though. It’s great for my resume and I’ve made so many great connections and friends.”
Josie Dike, president of Alpha Sigma Tau, also spoke on Greek life and how it has had an impact on her experience at school.
“My experience has gotten [much] better, and I’ve met a lot of great people," Josie said. "Even though I thought it wasn’t for me, my friend Caity Reiter asked me to rush with her and it was the best choice I’ve ever made.”
Josie and Ryan both said freshman are hesitant at first to join a club because college is a new world for them but they are eager to meet new people and recommend joining Greek life at their next available opportunity.
It’s no surprise that during COVID-19, our world had been flipped completely upside down — but now, students are finally getting back on their feet, and getting back to the fun college life. Its safe to say that this year and years following, there will likely only be a rise in the amount of students who get involved and engage with the university.
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By GRACE CONAWAY
Staff Writer
Featured image courtesy of Brooke Birckhead