Three women sitting on a black bench outside are chatting. Each woman has a laptop.

New Semester, Fresh Start: Get Involved on Campus This Fall

Whether you’re a freshman looking to make friends, or a senior who wants to get involved, The University of Alabama has hundreds of opportunities to connect with others and the community. Here’s a useful guide to getting involved.

First stop, the Ferguson Student Center

Three women sitting on a black bench outside are chatting. Each woman has a laptop.
Joining a student organization is a great way to make friends and build skills outside of the classroom.

The Ferguson Student Center, the heart of campus, is home to several organizations geared toward University and community engagement, student safety and more. Not only is the Ferguson Student Center one of the most central locations for students to meet, it also has study rooms, ballrooms and the Division of Student Life, which oversees these programs. Housed inside the Ferguson Student Center are the Blackburn Institute, Career Center, Center for Service and Leadership, Crossroads Community Center, the SOURCE and more.

First Year Experience

Even during a pandemic, the University continues to focus on the freshman experience. First Year Experience offers several programs including Compass Talks, Crimson Scholars, Ignite UA, Out 2 Lunch and Welcome Home Block Party. FYE is also focusing on the returning students who didn’t get an opportunity to get involved due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fraternity and Sorority Life

If you’re considering joining the UA Greek community, Fraternity and Sorority Life is the first place to start. Several general questions and answers are available online to help aid students and families looking for valuable information.

The SOURCE

Known as the place to find any club, the SOURCE has on average 600 active student groups interested in everything under the sun. From Al’s Pals, to badminton to video gaming, the SOURCE is the best place to find a club and get involved. One of the most prominent organizations through the SOURCE is FATE, Future Alumni for Tradition and Excellence, which boasts approximately 2,500 members.

University Programs

Within Student Life is University Programs, with a primary goal to serve all UA students through diverse and creative events. The program offers several engagement opportunities including UP Engage, Weeks of Welcome and Tied with the Tide.

For more information and to keep up to date on the latest news, visit Student Life’s involvement webpage.

Contact

Caroline Gazzara-McKenzie, UA Strategic Communications, caroline.mckenzie@ua.edu