Attending a club fair featuring hundreds of clubs the day before classes begin can be an overwhelming yet enriching experience for University students.
This year’s Fall Activities Fair will take place Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. across three different locations on Grounds. Students can peruse over 800 club booths at McIntire Amphitheater, South Lawn and Peabody Lawn. Organizations are grouped by category — including service, cultural, pre-professional, social and more.
Below is a guide to navigate the club fair and find the organization that will make the University feel like home, with lists of just some of the many clubs offered on Grounds. A full list of participating organizations can be found on Student Council’s Instagram page.
Academic and Professional — Peabody Lawn
In addition to students’ courseload, organizations related to prospective majors and careers are a helpful way to meet those with similar interests. For those interested in applying to the McIntire School of Commerce, options include business fraternities like Alpha Kappa Psi and Delta Sigma Pi, which provide networking opportunities and professional development.
Contracted Independent Organizations focused on other avenues of business, such as the Advertising and Marketing Association at U.Va., also invite guest speakers and give members projects to practice their marketing skills.
Other majors have offerings as well, including engineering societies like the American Society for Civil Engineers at U.Va. For students interested in the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, there are related associations like Kappa Omega Alpha Public Policy fraternity.
Service — Peabody Lawn and the Amphitheatre
For those looking to volunteer, the University makes it possible for any student to find a sector where they can offer their time. Madison House provides opportunities for students to volunteer in a variety of fields — from medical settings to school tutoring — giving students valuable experience while contributing to the community.
For students looking to work with children, College Mentors for Kids and Kesem at U.Va. are both unique opportunities to be hands-on role models to younger children. Other service clubs include the Cavalier Food Pantry, Relay for Life at U.Va., Pancakes for Parkinson’s, Best Buddies and more.
Club Sports — the Amphitheatre
The University offers Club Sports and intramural leagues for nearly every type of athlete. These are typically more casual than a Division 1 level and offer students more flexibility to balance school while still enjoying their favorite pastime.
The Pickleball Club at U.Va., for example, is a popular club sport that can be enjoyed competitively or casually for those hoping to get some time in at Snyder Courts. Some of the other sports offered include Club Baseball, Club Cycling and University Dance Club.
Ethnic and Cultural — the Amphitheatre and South Lawn
For those hoping to explore cultural organizations, some options include the Black Student Alliance, the Organization of Young Filipino Americans, the Vietnamese Student Association and the Pakistani Students’ Association.
Another organization, Towards a Better Latin America, aims to raise awareness and fundraising for social causes in Latin America, providing opportunity for community while working towards a greater good.
Social and Hobby — South Lawn
There are several avenues for those looking to pick up a new hobby or refine an existing one while connecting with new friends along the way. Popular CIOs include SWAP, the Art Club at U.Va., the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society and WXTJ Student Radio.
Outdoors at U.Va is one of the largest CIOs on Grounds with over 800 members. They lead multiple trips per week — from hikes on the Appalachian trail to white-water kayaking — that provide anyone from novices to long-distance backpackers with the opportunity to explore natural beauty around and beyond the University.
Performance and Visual Arts — South Lawn
Charlottesville has a thriving arts scene, and as does the University. A cappella is a popular institution, with a variety of types of organizations, from male- and female-only groups like the Hullabahoos and the Virginia Belles to co-ed groups like the New Dominions. Auditions for a cappella can be competitive, but are a great way for students to scratch their performance itch.
Other CIOs include the First Year Players — a theater troupe composed of an entirely first-year cast — The Whetherman, an improv group, and the Screenwriting Club at U.Va.
Political and Advocacy — South Lawn
To students passionate about policy change, political and advocacy CIOs include Students Demand Action, University Democrats and College Republicans. For students who seek bipartisan interactions, the Civil Discourse Initiative at U.Va. promotes positive discussion by inviting students with a variety of viewpoints to converse over hot-button topics in a respectful manner.
Religious and Spiritual — South Lawn
The University welcomes students from diverse religious backgrounds, creating space for students to worship alongside one another. Some of these spaces include Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, Catholic Hoos, Hillel at U.Va. and Muslim Students Association.
For students interested in exposure to a multitude of faiths and traditions, the Virginia Interfaith Coalition at U.Va. hosts various events to promote religious pluralism and deeper understanding of different faiths.
University Department Organizations — South Lawn
If students hope to impact the University directly, departments offer opportunities to contribute to the function of many aspects of life on Grounds. With over 300 participants, the Karsh Institute of Democracy Civic Cornerstone Fellowship brings students of different perspectives together to come up with creative solutions for the betterment of democracy.
Another organization is U.Va. Outdoor Adventure, which provides students opportunities to work at University facilities and lead excursions both in the Charlottesville area as well as across international borders. Additionally, the Music Department gives musically-inclined students an outlet for expression.
Special Status and Agency Organizations — South Lawn
The University is also home to deep bureaucratic history. At the heart of this are the student-run Special Status and Agency Organizations. From student self-governance to event planning, these organizations give students a hand in shaping the University we call home.
Each organization serves a slightly different role in University programming. Class Council is a group of members from each class that plans events to foster connection between classmates, while Student Council is an elected body of all years that serves to be a voice for all students at the University. University Judiciary Committee is a judiciary body that deals with cases related to the University’s Standards of Conduct, and University Programs Council plans events from picnics to concerts for the entire University community.
Enshrined in the daily life of the University, the Honor Committee is a group that focuses on justice and protection of fellow students. Tasked with upholding the Honor Code and its mission to combat lying, cheating and stealing, the Honor Committee reflects the University’s longstanding tradition of student self-governance and students’ responsibility to hold one another accountable.
Publications and Media — South Lawn
For those interested in media, there are many avenues to achieve publication. For journalism and reporting, some options for students include the Jefferson Independent and The Cavalier Daily. Other types of publications that are more topic-specific include the Virginia Review of Politics and the V Magazine at U.Va. — a publication focusing on the University through the lens of fashion and art.
Fraternity and Sorority Life — South Lawn
Formal Recruitment occurs in the spring, but for those interested in Greek life, booths for different Greek Councils can assist prospective members to learn more about what rushing may have to offer. FSL includes the Inter-Fraternity Council, Inter-Sorority Council, Multicultural Greek Council and National Pan-Hallenic Council.
Regardless of what CIOs may interest you, make sure to be prepared for the weather. It is historically hot and crowded — especially under large tents — so plan accordingly. With the event attracting as many as thousands of attendees, anticipate waiting in lines and circle back to a certain club if it is initially too crowded.
If you cannot find the club you are looking for, nearly every organization has a social media presence that advertises interest meetings. First year is prime-time to try out a few activities and see which ones are the best fit, so remember to ignore the pressure to join every club that piques your interest.
Stay positive, present and open-minded, and you will leave with countless fliers and GroupMe messages. Best of luck, and enjoy club hunting!
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