By Emma Poppe, News Correspondent

With more than 15,000 students, Northeastern provides numerous opportunities for everyone to join different organizations. Instead of spending five years at Northeastern only going to class, students can get out and get involved by joining one of the organizations that best suits them.
Academic organizations’
Some students have a hard time getting involved because they are too busy with schoolwork.’ Academic groups provide students a chance to get involved while also working within their field of study.’ Students can become a member of an academic organization that fits their major, where they can get advice and prepare for the future. Contact information can be found at <a href="www.northeastern.edu/studentactivities/academic.html”>www.northeastern.edu/studentactivities/academic.html
Community service organizations
By joining a community service organization, students can get involved and really make a difference in Boston and in the world.’ Northeastern has numerous organizations dedicated to volunteering and changing the community in which we live.’ Check out groups like Up ‘Til Dawn, Best Buddies and Colleges Against Cancer to start volunteering. Up ‘Til Dawn hosts various fundraising events, which ends with an all night event which will keep volunteers ‘Up ‘Til Dawn.’ Best Buddies allows volunteers to form friendships with those who have disabilities, to enhance the lives of both. Contact information can be found at http://www.northeastern.edustudentactivities/cso.html
Ethnic and cultural organizations’
Being in a city like Boston gives students a variety of opportunities to get involved with different ethnic and cultural groups.’ More than 20 groups are represented on campus, and there are plenty of ways to get involved and understand other cultures. Several of the cultural groups have their own buildings, housing initiatives, and centers where students can reach out and seek to get involved. Some groups include the African Student Organization, whose goal is to raise awareness to the continent of Africa, the Arab Student Association, whose goal is to promote cross-cultural understanding, and the Asian Student Union, which aims to promote awareness of Asian American culture. More groups and contact information can be found at www.northeastern.edu/studentactivities/eco.html
Fraternity and Sorority Life
There are currently 26 fraternity and sorority chapters on campus according to the FSL office, and the community is growing with club membership rising and new fraternities and sororities coming to campus each year.’ Students can join national, multicultural or local chapters. Danielle Cohen, a senior psychology major, is the president of Northeastern Panhellenic Council.’ She said that in a sorority, she is part of ‘a smaller community.” Members of sororities ‘interact with faculty, need to be involved in another organization, participate in community service, attend other events and put on your own events.’ Fall Rush starts Sept. 20.
Intramural/club sports
If students don’t want the commitment of a varsity sport, a club or intramural team is a great way to stay active and meet new people. Students compete against other schools or students at Northeastern and bond in a team setting.’ Lauren Pallister, a sophomore engineering major, said she is a member of the club field hockey team.
‘I really enjoyed playing field hockey in high school, and I wanted to play in college,’ Pallister said.’ ‘Playing club field hockey leaves me enough time to balance my school work and my social life as well.’
Media organizations’
Getting involved on campus sometimes means having a voice.’ Northeastern has several groups dedicated to publications and productions, so students can express their opinions.’ Some examples are Tastemakers Magazine, which features CD and concert reviews, and coverage of the music scene in the area. WRBB 104.9 FM is Northeastern’s own radio station, with its own news show, sports coverage, as well as music. There are also several other publications and productions put out by various organizations, with their own niche markets, such as a literary magazine and a humorous publication. Contact info can be found at www.northeastern.com/studentactivies/media.html
Northeastern College Republicans or College Democrats’
Students with political interests can find interest in College Republicans and College Democrats.’ Students can meet people with similar interests and participate in rallies, protests and other events. ‘Since joining College Republicans, I have found it easier to meet more people on campus,’ said Sarah Kaufman, a sophomore math major.’ ‘I have become more politically active on campus, in the city, in the state and in the country.’ To get involved, email [email protected], or [email protected]
Performance arts groups
Many students at Northeastern participate in singing, dancing, and acting groups. These groups put on performances that are fun and upbeat.’ Students interested in singing and dancing can join a variety of groups, from a cappella to improvisational. More information is available at northeastern.edu/studentactivities/arts.html
Resident Student Association’
Resident Student Association (RSA) is a group dedicated to making residential life better for students. Students living on campus work with the Residence Life staff to improve on-campus life. RSA is geared toward organizing programs, and members really make a difference on campus.RSA meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m., with locations TBA according to the RSA website.
Student Government Association
Student Government Association (SGA) is a student organization that is geared toward making positive changes on campus, according to its website’s mission statement..’ Students who are involved have a chance to help the Northeastern community grow.’ ‘If you join SGA, it’s an outlet or a means to change something about the university,’ said senior history and political science major Marines Piney, former vice president for student affairs.’ ‘As big or as little as it seems, you can change whatever you want.’ SGA gives a lot of students the power to do what they want to do.’ SGA meets every Monday at 7:00 p.m.
More information is available at www.northeastern.edu/studentactivities