Heather Holman
Summer Reporter

New students coming to Purdue may want add more to their life besides classroom activities.

There are 635 different student organizations and clubs that students can join. Out of the hundreds of groups there are 14 categories that the clubs generally fall under. There is something for everyone.

Athletics, recreation, club sports, hobbies, international, music, radio, service, fraternities and sororities, religious, residence hall clubs, schools and departments, special interest and cultural and ethnic clubs are the choices offered to students.

Pablo Malavenda, associate Dean of students for student activities and organizations, said he encourages students to get involved in something right away. "It's almost essential to get involved," he said.

Malavenda said it's good for students to find time during their first semester of school to join an organization. Students will have something in their lives besides academics and they can start managing their schedule Malavenda said.

With so many groups to choose from students may not know where to start. Malavenda said students should first decide what it is they want to do. He said students might want to continue activities from high school or pursue other interests of study.

Malavenda said the most important thing is to find something enjoyable and something that challenges a student like nothing has before.

Once a student decides on a group that sounds interesting, they should attend the organization's callout.

A callout is an event or an informational meeting where a group can showcase the program. "It's basically a time for them to check you out and you to check them out," Malavenda said.

Malavenda advises students to attend more than one callout so they can meet the members and to find out the purposes of the groups.

"I advise students to participate in a few organizations," he said. Once a student participates in these groups they can decide which ones they want to devote more time to.

So where do students go to find out about student organizations? The Dean of Students Office is a big help. Malavenda said they encourage students to come in the office to get assistance.

The Dean of Students Office can help students figure out what they are interested in and give them contact names, callout dates and information about the organization.

The office will also be at the Boiler Gold Rush and the Purdue Student Union Board (PSUB) Activities fair.

The office has a Web site www.purdue.edu/odos/sao. This page has all the organizations descriptions along with the president's phone number and e-mail and the Web site of the club, if available.

Getting involved is part of the Purdue experience Malavenda said. "It makes a large university seem smaller," he said.

Malavenda said if students join groups they will be more proud of their education along with everything else outside of the classroom.

"If you meet people that have similar background or are similar to you, you will enjoy this campus," Malavenda said. "Basically, you'll have fun" he said.

For more information call 494-1232 or visit Schleman Hall room 250.