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 matches your student’s interests, 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

Creating memorable experiences for our students is a top priority at USI. Throughout the year, the Multicultural Center sponsors the following programs and events:

• Black and Brown Summit of

Excellence • Black History Month Events • Cultural Connections Welcome Week • Cultural Diversity Welcome Reception • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon • Gospel Explosion • Hispanic Heritage Month • Latin Rhythms • Pan Dulce Thursday • Phenomenal Women of USI and the Community • Power Hour • Recognition and Awards Reception • Rhythm Fest • Success Series • USI Live at the Apollo

The Multicultural Center offers a variety of cultural organizations. These organizations enrich the experiences of our students and are open to everyone:

• Authentically Me Natural Hair Club • Black Student Union (BSU) • Hispanic Student Union (HSU) • Designed by Grace Gospel Ensemble

Cultivating spaces for mentorship is a focal point of the Multicultural Center. These programs are geared towards strengthening the student experience both at USI and in the community:

• College Mentors for Kids (CMFK) • Collegiate Men of Distinction • Women Unlocked

Visit the Multicultural Center at UCE 1244, 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). Studentathletes 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/usitheatre 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. Contact Daniel Craig at dcraig@usi.edu for auditions.