Student Life and Activities

We want your student to gain the full college experience. USI provides many activities and services to help students get connected and involved.

Student Development Programs

Earning a degree at USI should be your student’s number one goal, but success in college also includes gaining leadership skills by getting involved in campus life. With so many choices, it may be hard to know where to start. The answer is Student Development Programs. The staff helps students make the most of their college experience. Encourage your student to contact them and get involved. Through involvement with these activities, students can build skills in communication, critical thinking, self-confidence, motivation and conflict management. For more information, visit USI.edu/sdv.

Student Organizations USI has a variety of student organizations with which your student can get involved. They range from academic and professional organizations to service organizations, special interest and sports clubs. If no organization has your student’s interest, they can start their own. Some opportunities for student involvement and leadership are: • Activities Programming Board: USI.edu/apb • Ambassadors: USI.edu/admission/ student-ambassadors • Amigos (orientation leaders): USI.edu/amigos • Campus Student Organizations: USI.edu/student-development/ student-organizations • Emerging Leaders: USI.edu/leadership • Fraternities and Sororities: USI.edu/fsl • Student Alumni Association: USI.edu/saa • Student Government Association: USI.edu/sga • Volunteer USI: USI.edu/volunteer

Multicultural Center The Multicultural Center provides a range of cultural and social programs that promote awareness and appreciation of diverse cultures. The Multicultural Center supports organizations that encourage academic achievement and personal development of its members. Membership is open to all races, cultures and ethnic backgrounds.

• The Black Student Union sponsors activities on campus such as the MLK Jr. birthday holiday observance, the Black History Month Celebration, performing arts productions and social activities. • The Hispanic Student Union/ Latinos Unidos (HSU/LU) promotes programs that enhance and increase knowledge and appreciation of cultural diversity such as the Latino(a) Leadership Conference, a Salsa Dance Night and Dia de los Muertos. • The South Asian Union coordinates Indian Culture Night, Global Communities, Diwali Lecture and the International Food Expo.

In addition, the Center also helps coordinate College Mentors for Kids, Designed by Grace Gospel Choir and the Executive Diversity Scholars Program. For more information, visit USI.edu/mcc or call 812-465-7188.

Religious Life Religious Life provides religious guidance and worship opportunities for students, faculty and staff. While our primary goal is to encourage students to stay active in the faith life of their choice while at USI, we also house the Spiritual Diversity Project that aims to educate and coordinate a greater understanding of the diverse religions on campus and within the community. Religious Life offers services and information for multiple denominations. Students can take part in retreats, fellowship, bible studies, worship services, spiritual guidance and service opportunities. To find out more, visit USI.edu/religiouslife.

Athletics Nothing screams school pride like cheering for USI’s Screaming Eagles athletic teams! USI is a member of the NCAA Division II and the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). Student-athletes compete in 17 different varsity sports including basketball, cross country/track, golf, soccer, baseball, softball, tennis and volleyball. Admission to home regular season athletic events is free to USI students. USI invites parents and family members to get involved by becoming members of the USI Varsity Club, USI’s athletic booster club. Varsity Club membership money (100 percent) supports athletic scholarships. Season tickets are also available. To find out more, visit gousieagles.com or call 812-464-1846. Students interested in being involved with Archie (USI’s mascot), USI’s dance team, cheer team or pep band also may visit the Athletic Department website at gousieagles.com for more information.

Performing Arts USI offers students opportunities to share their talent via the performing arts. While majors and minors take numerous classes in acting, dance, technology and design, any student interested in theatre may audition for productions by the USI Theatre Program. Currently, four main stage shows are produced each academic year. During the season, the “Repertory Project” brings members of the Actors Equity Association — the professional union of stage actors and stage managers — to the USI stage. This opportunity allows USI students to work alongside professional actors and with a professional production stage manager on one of the main stage productions

that take place in the USI Performance Center located in the center of campus. A second performance space, the Mallette Studio in the Liberal Arts Center, features independent student productions and second season offerings. Learn more at USI.edu/liberal-arts/usi-theatre or contact Elliot Wasserman, Chair, at wasserma@usi.edu. Students also may choose to be a part of a music group. USI’s sponsored groups include the Chamber Choir, Women’s Choir, Designed by Grace Gospel Choir and Jazz Band. Students audition for inclusion into these groups. Each year, these groups present numerous performances to the public, and many students in the USI Chamber Choir take yearly trips to perform abroad.