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DEPARTMENT OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Getting Involved in the Spring Semester

There are more than 300 student organizations at the University of Miami spanning interests like academic and professional, community outreach and social change, multicultural and identity-based, religion and spirituality, Greek life and more. Studies show that when students meaningfully engage in co-curricular activities such as student organizations it can lead to higher academic performance and personal fulfillment. They are also a lot of fun and offer a space to connect with fellow ‘Canes and create lifelong friendships!

The annual Spring Involvement Fair is an engaging event that invites your student to connect with over 150 student organizations, campus departments, and community service partners. This event will be held Tuesday, January 28 from 12-3 p.m. on the Foote Green.

  • Have a conversation with your student to ask how they have gotten involved on campus or how they plan to engage with student organizations and events.
  • Encourage your student to browse organizations that interest them on Engage, the University's official student organization platform
  • Advise them to maximize involvement opportunities that will align with their career aspirations, personal goals, leadership development.
  • Keep a balanced schedule alongside their academics and additional commitments.
Students understand and value the experiences that involvement in a student organization can present. Cachay Byrd, a senior and the current vice chair for the Committee on Student Organizations (COSO) states “Through involvement, we are given the opportunity to dream, plan and then execute even our most far-fetched aspirations, alongside faculty and staff who seek to help us grow in knowledge of ourselves and the world around us.”

 

Important Dates

 

FROM DR. WHITELY'S DESK

VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year! I hope that your family had a restful and healthy holiday season. The new year brings a reminder to create goals and resolutions. We know about, and will hear all through January, the statistics showing virtually nobody keeps their resolutions. For our students, these resolutions and the willingness to complete the task of a resolution is an inspiring and important goal to achieve. Forbes released an article about "How to Develop a New Year’s Resolution That Will Rock Your Career". This made me think about how important it is for our students to put the learning from their classrooms into practice. Internships are a great way to make this happen and students can start applying for summer internships now. Our Toppel Career Center can help students with this now not only by helping with resumes and cover letters but also by providing a platform to apply today.

Before they get to the summer and that internship, though, our students have much to look forward to. The Spring Involvement Fair, featured in this newsletter, occurs on January 28, Social Justice Week takes place on January 27-31, and Sportsfest will occur on February 6-7. Each of these events provides an opportunity for students to engage with one another, learn something new, and practice some form of self-care. In addition to these involvements, students who are interested in living on campus next year have the opportunity to apply for housing from January 15-29. More information can be found on the housing website.

I am looking forward to a wonderful and productive Spring semester for our students. As always, my staff and I are here to support and guide. 

Dr. Patricia A. Whitely has been the Vice President for Student Affairs since 1997 and is an adjunct faculty member in the School of Education and Human Development. Dr. Whitely is responsible for oversight of residential life, leadership development, diversity and inclusion initiatives, service learning, orientation, student organizations, student activities, student facilities, student counseling and student health centers, Greek life, and the Dean of Students Office.

 

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

PATTI AND ALLAN HERBERT WELLNESS CENTER

Developing a Healthy Lifestyle

Now is the perfect time to embrace your student’s resolutions and encourage them to set goals for the year. Whether they’d like to improve their overall well-being or pick up a new hobby — the Patti and Allan Herbert Wellness Center is here for them.

For students interested in a healthier lifestyle, taking a free CHAMP fitness assessment is the perfect first step to set health and wellness goals. Based on their goals, our fitness testing consultants can recommend different programs to meet their needs. Aside from a state-of-the-art fitness room, the Herbert Wellness Center offers an assortment of programs, ranging from club sports and intramurals to group exercise classes, meditation, and small group training.

For those who want to take their wellness journey one step further, the Herbert Wellness Center recommends personal training. Personal trainers at the Herbert Wellness Center are UM students that are certified through a nationally recognized organization.

"Stepping into a new space can be a little intimidating but taking a CHAMP assessment gave me a better understanding of the resources available to me as a student," said third-year UM student, Daniella Sanchez. "Whenever I’m not in class, you can find me at the Herbert Wellness Center. Whether I’m working in the Sales Office or taking a yoga class to unwind, it’s become an important part of my college experience."

 

ACADEMIC CONNECTION

OFFICE OF ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT

Guiding Your Student into a New Semester

As the New Year passes and those New Year’s resolutions start strong, this is also the best time to think about developing educational goals. Some students may have done well in the fall semester, while others may have faced a more challenging semester than they would have liked.

Andrew Balise, a First-Year Fellow in Hecht Residential College, shares these words of wisdom. "While it can feel initially daunting, it is important to note that one’s experience as a 'Cane has both highs and lows. Encourage your student to explore the many different clubs and organizations on campus, as becoming involved is a great way to develop a support network."

You may ask yourself how you can help your student succeed academically while allowing them the space to grow and develop on their own. As The Office of Academic Enhancement reflects upon this, three ideas come to mind:

  1. Encourage them to review their syllabi thoroughly as it details a professor’s expectations of students and the professor’s specific policies.
  2. Discuss and set educational goals with your student that have different checkpoints throughout the semester to look at progress. Ask them how they would like you to check in on how they're doing over the semester.
  3. Explore our many resources to aid in student success on campus. Sometimes, the hardest thing for a student is realizing that it is okay to ask for help and seek out these resources. 

Dr. Harriell, executive director of the Office of Academic Enhancement & chair of the Residential Faculty, says, “Think of their courses as educational meals. Their instructor's office hours and all of their academic resources are the condiments to the meal. The more they use them, the more satisfied and nourished they will be. Encourage your students to utilize the smorgasbord of available opportunities, academic resources, and faculty and staff, who are dedicated to your success."

 

HELPFUL HOW-TO GUIDES

Proxy Account Guide


How to Pay Your Bill


How students make an appointment with Student Health Service


How students make an appointment at the Counseling Center


 

UNIVERSITY NEWS

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

Sights and sounds from fall commencement

View a video recap of the 2019 fall commencement at the University of Miami, held on Dec 12 at the Watsco Center on the Coral Gables Campus.

GET OUT THE VOTE

'All In' for Democracy

For doubling the number of student voters in the 2018 midterm election, the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge granted the University of Miami its Silver Seal Award.

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

Women of Distinction

Patricia A. Whitely, vice president for student affairs, and Dr. Margaret Pericak-Vance, director of the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, were recognized Friday for their commitment to caring for the overall health and well-being of others.

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

Finding your place at the U

A UM student retention task force is working to ensure that all first-year students feel at home.

BUTLER CENTER FOR SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP

Students connect with alumni changemakers

As part of the Leadership UMiami program, students heard from commmunity leaders who spend their careers fighting for social justice and attended a day-long summit on democracy and social change.

 

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