As Badgers flock to campus for the beginning of a new school year, we are reminded of the wealth of opportunities offered by the university and its surrounding city. With a diverse catalog of courses that are undoubtedly influenced by Madison’s idiosyncratic culture, UW-Madison students have a host of unique resources at their disposal.
That being said, it’s easy to neglect the abundance of student organizations at UW when already faced with the overwhelming feat of balancing schoolwork and city life. Student orgs, however, are the perfect cocktail of these two beloved aspects of being a Badger: serving as a bridge between students and their community. With nearly 900 student organizations on campus, finding an organization that interests you can certainly be difficult. I have curated a list of just some of these amazing student organizations with details on how to get involved, in hopes of making the search that much easier!
1. Wisconsin Union Directorate Student-Run Papers
The Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) sponsors five student-run journals and magazines, offering a creative outlet for students looking to gain hands-on experience in journalistic fields such as writing, editing, publishing and art-making. The five publications are:
- Moda, a fashion and lifestyle magazine
- Emmie, a music focused magazine and blog
- The Dish, a foodie magazine detailing affordable restaurants and recipes
- Souvenirs, a blog displaying student photography and articles centered around traveling
- Illumination, a literary magazine that publishes creative writing and art
Each publication has its own website with links that detail how to get involved or join staff. Most do not have an application process and are always looking for contributing members! You can find the link to each individual website on the WUD publications website, https://union.wisc.edu/get-involved/wud/publications/.
2. Badgers Acts of Kindness
The purpose of this org is simple: to spread acts of kindness throughout campus and the Madison community. Some of the organization’s most notable activities include handing out treats to students as they exit exams, placing inspirational notes in random spots on campus, bringing cookies to selected classes and so much more. Commitment to this organization is relatively low, with just one meeting and one event every month. There is no application process, and you can sign up by emailing them at badgeractsofkindness@gmail.com.
3. AreaRED
With five unique student sections for five Wisconsin sports teams, AreaRED serves to connect UW students and athletes to create a more meaningful dynamic at sporting events. In addition to this heightened spectator experience, AreaRED also hosts events where athletes and members can socialize on a personal level. Members must be passionate UW sports fans and show dedicated attendance to various sports. To become a member, students must sign up for access to the newsletter and details on special events. Sign up can be found on the website, https://uwbadgers.com/sports/2019/10/23/area-red.aspx?id=1666.
The aforementioned organizations are just a glimpse into the extensive selection of opportunities offered to students on campus. To browse these programs in their entirety, you can visit the Wisconsin Involvement Network website at https://win.wisc.edu/. Welcome back to school Badgers, and happy browsing!
