How to get involved in campus life

Concordia offers students a vibrant campus life, but with so many options — how to choose? With departmental associations, student groups, volunteer opportunities, art events, and sports and fitness classes, you may need some information to figure out what’s best for you. That’s where the Engagement Fair comes in.

“At the beginning of every year, we speak with a lot of students who want to be involved but don't know how to get involved or where to start,” says Paul Goubko, co-curricular record assistant at the Dean of Students office.

Each year at the Engagement Fair, students who are active on campus share their experiences, what they have learned and how they have benefited from their participation. There will also be people on hand to explain how to start and fund a new group or activity, as well as to answer any questions students have about getting involved on campus.

“Being a part of student life is not only fun and a great way to meet new people who share your passion, but it’s also great for your future career and academic goals,” Goubko says, pointing out that when considering candidates, many employers and graduate schools are putting more and more emphasis on extracurricular activities.

Here’s a preview of two of the organizations that will be at the fair:

The Concordia Greenhouse

Located on the 13th floor of the Henry F. Hall (H) Building on the Sir George Williams Campus, the Concordia greenhouse is an all-organic, collectively-run non-profit. It’s all about community and education, with a focus on sustainability and urban agriculture. 

There are a number of ways that students can get involved with the greenhouse; they can attend educational workshops, join in on social events or participate in volunteer sessions. Students can also apply for an internship each semester with the greenhouse or with Concordia’s City Farm School on Loyola Campus.

“Students can learn new skills (which can be shared with others) and connect with other environmentally conscious community members,” says Sheena Swirlz, the communications coordinator at the greenhouse. “They can enjoy the healthy and fresh atmosphere, as well as start thinking about food issues and local food systems.”

Students are also invited to simply hang out in the greenhouse, as the beautiful atrium lounge makes a great place for studying, eating or socializing.

“The environment is inspiring, interactive, friendly, fresh and sustainable-minded,” Swirlz says. “It’s a great mix of pleasure and learning.”

The Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program (CVAP)

Every summer for nearly 10 years, the Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program (CVAP) has sent students on an internship to Gulu — a city in northern Uganda — where, among other things, they organize a community event with a focus on health.

Megan Michaud, a Concordia student in sociology and liberal arts, is the project coordinator for CVAP. She has been to Gulu and now helps recruit and send new volunteers on what she describes as a life-changing trip. Aside from the work experience and the rewards of seeing a project come to fruition, Michaud says it’s the cultural exchange that is the most rewarding.

“The exchange between yourself and Ugandans on your team, people you’ll meet in the community, learning about the history and the cultural differences, really opens your eyes to a whole other world,” she says.

The community events that students have organized in the past include soccer tournaments and film festivals — fun events that include the presence of health booths so that the community has easy access to these important resources. Students also organize skill-sharing workshops for both soft and hard skills, and this summer the students will start a radio project. Throughout their stay in Gulu, students gain cross-cultural communication skills from being pushed outside of their comfort zone.

“Our program is really youth working with youth in a partnership that empowers both communities,” Michaud says.

Drop by the Engagement Fair on February 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the J.W. McConnell Library Building (1400 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., on the Sir George Williams Campus).