How to Help Your Student to Get Involved

By: Jared Payton, Housing and Residence Life

There are many ways your student can be involved on campus during the week and weekends to avoid the perceived social norm of college drinking habits. There are some great alternatives that Gonzaga University provides and encourages students to take advantage of in order to become fully engaged in their college experience. Did you know that Gonzaga has over 150 student led clubs and organizations? These clubs and organizations fit a wide range of student interests which include career and professional development, advocacy and community service, cultural and spiritual engagement and athletics. If your student can’t find a club or organization that fits their passion, then they are encouraged to develop their own club with assistance from Student Involvement and Leadership, located on the third floor of the Hemmingson Center.

Is your student looking to get involved in their residence hall? Great! They will find a home among their peers in Block Council and the Residence Hall Association. Each housing area has a student advocacy leadership team that is led by students to put on events for their residence hall areas. This is a great way for students to get to know others within their hall and provide fun and educational events for their peers. Each Block Council reports to the Gonzaga University Residence Hall Association. RHA is a nationally recognized student led organization that works to develop student leaders, advocate for change within the university system, and provides fun and engaging events for the entire student on-campus living population. Students who are involved with RHA and Block Council feel more connected to their peers and are provided with a leadership roles. Block Councils meet weekly within the residence hall areas and RHA is held every Thursday night from 8pm-10pm in College Hall 101.

Please have your student be on the lookout for event advertising though morning mail, email flyers around the hall and connection with their Resident Assistant. The RA is placed on every floor of each hall and they are passionate about getting residents involved in the hall and on campus. The RAs often put on events at night in the hall or set up meeting times to bring students to late night and weekend events around campus.

One late night and weekend program that has become quite popular is Spike Nites at the Hemmingson Center. Spike Nites happen every Friday and Saturday evening from 10:00pm – 2:00am. Here, students can watch blockbuster movie showings, play games, attend dances, participate in trivia and karaoke, and simply engage with other students in a positive environment.

We are confident that your student will be able to find a club or organization that suits him/her, as well as connect to the proper resources to engage fully with the campus environment in a positive and productive manner. Go Zags!