Getting Involved at Webster University

John Ginsburg, Director, University Center and Student Activities

In his book "Making the Most of College," Harvard professor Richard Light finds evidence that students who establish connections outside the classroom have a more successful college experience than those who do not. Students who engage themselves in extracurricular activities develop time management skills, enhance their learning through collaborative work, and illuminate themselves with interaction among a diverse student body.

I find this information particularly important to share with parents because you have such an impact upon what your son or daughter chooses to pursue while at Webster. At a recent open house where the University hosted a large group of prospective high school students, I was told by a young woman, "I don't think I'll have time to get involved in activities when I'm in college, because I'll need to just study." I hope that you can help the students in your household to realize that successful college students do more than study, and obtain a more enriching experience in the process.

A wealth of opportunities exists for involvement at Webster University—from student organizations to athletics, departmental events to student government, campus recreation to the Student Activities Council. Activities range from intellectual to social, large to small, on-campus to off-campus. It is just a matter of your son or daughter finding the activity, or activities, that interests them.

There are many ways that students can learn about campus events. Here are just a few: read the Journal student newspaper, subscribe to the sgaevents listserv by visiting the SGA homepage at www.webster.edu/sga, pick up a copy of the Student Organizations and Activities brochure in the University Center, or check out the flyers on the various campus bulletin boards. The University Center is a particularly active place for campus events, as it is home to the Student Government Association, student organizations, Campus Recreation, the Student Activities Council, Gorlok Television, and Athletics. The facility hosts meetings and programs for many other parts of campus. By simply spending time in the University Center, one can keep “in the loop.”

Listing all of the activities taking place in the coming weeks would be nearly impossible. However, below are several highlights. Please encourage your son or daughter to attend one of these events. They'll be glad they did.

St. Louis International Film Festival - Nov. 13-23 - Webster Film Series
Gorlok Swim Team vs. Eureka College - Nov. 15 - University Center Pool
International Week - Nov. 17-21 - Multicultural Center and International Student Affairs
National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week - Nov. 17-21 - Residence Life
Gorlok eXtravaganza - Nov. 21 - Gorlok X and Campus Recreation
Rock Climbing - Nov. 22 - Campus Recreation
College Bowl - Nov. 23 - Student Activities Council
For a more in-depth look at these upcoming events, visit the Campus Life section of this newsletter.