One of the most daunting parts about entering college is the ever-frightening thought: “What if I don’t find a group?” This can be a topic of stress for new students, but not to worry, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has something for everyone in the form of Registered Student Organizations.
With over 1,000 RSOs to choose from, the University is an installation of a diverse student body, and the following list is only a fraction of what it has to offer.
Squirrel and Bird Watching Club
One of UIUC’s most complex histories is its past with squirrels, with the University launching a campaign in 1901 to return gray squirrels to campus. In light of this victory, students from all backgrounds gather at the squirrel and bird-watching club to view the wildlife that the campus has to offer. Information about joining can be found on Instagram @uiuc.squirrel.watching for interested students.
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Life Drawing Club
Beginner and seasoned artists can tap into their inner Van Gogh at the UIUC Life Drawing Club. The club holds several sessions a semester, where students can come and explore the world of art for a small fee. New students can grab a brush and paint the town orange and blue by finding the club on Instagram @uiuclifedrawing.
CodeRed
For students looking to get involved in community engagement at UIUC, look no further than CodeRed.
“Our mission is to support period equity on our college campus and also within the greater community,” said CodeRed Vice President Meghan Vanasco.
The club engages in community outreach by holding fundraising events, workshops, talks and collaborations with other RSOs.
“New students should join CodeRed if they are interested in learning more about period advocacy,” said Vanasco.
Students can find more information on Instagram @codered_uiuc.
iRobotics UIUC
Advertised as UIUC’s largest engineering projects student organization on Instagram, iRobotics UIUC is a team of dedicated students from all majors working together to design robots.
Often, the club sends these robots to competitions, including Robobrawl, VEX and the Midwestern Robotics Design Competition, also known as MRDC. New students who want to flex their bionic brain muscles can find the club on Instagram @iroboticsuiuc.
UIUC Climbing Club
For students interested in spending time outdoors while getting a workout at the same time, look no further than the Climbing Club. The climbing club holds club hours at the climbing wall at the ARC, one of the campus gyms, as well as competitions and fundraising events.
They also make a trip every semester to an outdoor climbing spot near Champaign-Urbana. The UIUC Climbing Club can be found on Instagram @illinoisclimbingclub and Facebook at UIUC Climbing Club.
Cheese Club
For foodies and cheese enthusiasts is the UIUC Cheese Club.
“If you look around campus here at U of I, you’ll find people of all different walks of life,” Adam Syed, Cheese Club President and Founder, said about the mission of the club. “When you put all those people together it creates this beautiful opportunity for harmony among all of us.”
The cheese club holds meetings for all students, including tastings, general meetings and cheese-making sessions. Students ready to channel their inner chef can find the club on Instagram @uiuccheeseclub and on the club’s website.
While diverse, this list accounts for only a few of the clubs that incoming students might find intriguing as they traverse the new University terrain. For more information on RSOs at the University, visit OneIllinois for a full list of registered organizations.
Students should also look out for information about Quad Day, where student organizations will set up booths on the Main Quad for peers to learn about and join as many clubs as their hearts desire. The event typically takes place during the first week of school.
