With students going off to internships, classes and everything else Washington has to offer, it is sometimes hard to find a sense of community at GW. Student organizations are a great way to get involved, meet new people, and find something truly invigorating to do. Whether it is running for office in the Student Association or traveling to one of several alternative spring break destinations, participating in student organizations is a reliable way to find a community in an environment that may seem impersonal at times.
Student Association
The Student Association, or SA, is made up of an executive, legislative and judicial branch, each of which help to represent the student body and facilitate communication between students and University administrators. The SA oversees numerous events, allocates funding for student organizations, and attempts to advocate on students’ behalf for changes in University life. In addition to its official functions, the SA also puts on one of GW’s most notorious spectacles: the annual presidential elections. Come March, students walk to class through a jungle of endorsement flyers and yellow tape-designated “no campaigning” zones.
WRGW
WRGW is GW’s radio station, located on the ground floor of the Marvin Center and streamed online. Students interested in working at WRGW can apply to have their own show that focuses on whatever interests them – news, politics, gossip, sex, music, or anything in between. WRGW also hosts local bands in a monthly concert series, providing free entertainment for GW students and their friends.
Club Sports
For freshmen missing their high school varsity teams, GW offers a variety of club sports, from baseball to tennis. For those looking for more informal games and less of a time commitment, the Lerner Health and Wellness Center offers dozens of intramural leagues. Students can find friendly competition in basketball, wiffleball, table tennis and more.
College Democrats and College Republicans
Awarded Student Organization of the Year in 2008-2009 by the Student Activities Center, the College Democrats is one of GW’s most popular groups. Members can be involved as much or as little as they want – whether they want to go out canvassing for local Democratic candidates on the weekend or get involved in the one of the group’s four committees: political affairs, community service, membership and communications. The CDs also post internship opportunities, creating a strong network for students who swing to the left.
The GW College Republicans, recognized in the last few years as one of the best chapters in the country by the College Republican National Committee, offers many opportunities for conservative students to get involved, both on and off campus. Like the CDs, the CRs routinely go on campaign trips and frequently feature prominent speakers. The group also distributes numerous internship opportunities to its members.
Both groups hold events in conjunction with one another, including student debates and the annual CD vs. CR football game, held on the Mount Vernon campus each fall.
Allied in Pride
Allied in Pride offers an outlet for LGBT students by providing an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding. In addition to connecting students with different internship and academic opportunities, Allied in Pride routinely partakes in various protests and demonstrations both on and off campus. Members of the student organization recently held mock marriage ceremonies in University Yard and participated in a march on the White House to advocate for marriage rights for same-sex couples.
Greek-letter Life
About 22 percent of the undergraduate student body is involved in Greek-letter life, and GW is home to 38 chapters of national fraternities and sororities. The Inter-Fraternity Council and Panhellenic Association oversee many of GW’s social fraternities and sororities, respectively. There are also a dozen multicultural Greek-letter organizations. If you’re not into the Greek social scene, there are also numerous professional Greek organizations on campus to join. These specialize in different areas – the pre-law fraternity and the community service fraternity are just a few examples.
Bhangra
GW Bhangra is a dance group sponsored by the GW South Asian Society, though the group is open to students of any ethnic background. The name of the group also refers to the traditional form of dance originating from the Punjab area of India and Pakistan. Ever year, similar groups from around the country come together to participate in Bhangra Blowout, an annual competition sponsored by GW’s SAS – the first meet in 1994 took place in Columbian Square, right in the middle of the Marvin Center.
Alternative Spring Break
For students opting for a more meaningful spring break beyond the resorts of Cabo and Tijuana, Alternative Spring Break provides the chance to travel to different locations and perform community service while getting to know other like-minded students. This past spring, International Alternative Spring Break traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico to help in sustainable development efforts. Domestic alternative breaks included trips to New Orleans, where students assisted the city as it continued to recover from Hurricane Katrina.
Program Board
As one of GW’s largest student-run organizations, Program Board is responsible for bringing events to campus like concerts, lectures, film series, fundraisers, rallies and beyond. Some highlights from the 2008-2009 year included a lecture from PostSecret founder Frank Warren, Relay for Life and a concert featuring Jason Mraz and Ben Folds. Program Board also hosts Fall Fest and Spring Fling, annual events featuring live music and free food.
