Brigitte Ortiz | THE RIDER
The Leadership and Mentoring office is hosting virtual involvement fairs until Feb. 11. Students who want to be engaged in campus organizations can RSVP to the six remaining fairs on VLink.
In previous semesters, the Leadership and Mentoring office would schedule four involvement fairs on both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses.
April Muñoz, student organization program coordinator for the Leadership and Mentoring office, said because they are working virtually, the involvement fairs will be combined.
“It’s just a bit more flexible for everyone,” Muñoz said. “Some involvement fairs are going to be specific to categories, and then others are intended to be for everyone at the same time.”
She said their goal is to give all registered student organizations an opportunity to recruit. Students who are interested in getting involved can join.
“It can be in any sort of interest,” Muñoz said. “You know, it can go anywhere from fraternity and sorority life, maybe a sports club. Maybe they’re looking for an organization within their college to, kind of, tie them a little bit more to their area of study. We hope that those organizations that are out there [are] talking to students who are interested about what they do. … But all in all, the involvement fairs are targeted for students to get involved and … add more to their university experience.”
The first involvement fair was last Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m., which included all registered student organizations. She said they decided on two-hour time frames so students could have plenty of time to speak with organizations.
Other dates for registered student organizations include, from noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 3 and 11 and will be available for students to RSVP and join on the VLink platform.
“[Wednesday] we have an involvement fair scheduled that focuses on all college organizations, department organizations and honor society and that would take place from 5 to 7 [p.m.]”
An involvement fair focused on culture, faith and spiritual and community service organizations will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 4.
Political groups, sports clubs and any special interest groups that are registered will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10.
“And the [categorical groups] are a little bit specific,” Muñoz said. “We’ve done them in the evening. … We’re hoping that this time frame, 5 to 7 [p.m.,] would really help students who already know where they’re going,… taking into consideration that some students may have off-campus jobs, their full-time job, and we’re thinking … that gives them the opportunity to chime in.”
She said it is never too late for UTRGV students to get involved. If students are not ready, they can get in contact with the Leadership and Mentoring office and ask for help.
“[Students can] utilize our VLink platform, that’s available to them on their myUTRGV account, to their advantage,” Muñoz said. “On there, they can search organizations without having to do that face-to-face interaction, if they don’t feel like they’re quite ready for that.”
She said getting involved on campus is only going to add to students’ college experience. It will help them build relationships, build leadership skills and get to meet new people.
Involvement fairs are not just for people who are ready to get involved.
“I see that a lot with our incoming freshman,” Muñoz said. “They’re still trying to figure out, you know, their courses …, trying to get adjusted. So, we just want to encourage everyone to join. You can stop by, you can talk to an organization without any commitment, and that’s really how students start learning a little bit more about what’s on their campus and what their interests are.”
