With thousands of students on Syracuse University’s sprawling campus, it can be overwhelming when trying to find your niche, or meeting other people. The university hosts dozens of societies, student organizations and clubs, so here’s a start to some of what the campus has to offer.

Chess Club

This club was co-founded by its president Jovanna D’Alonzo and vice president Phillip Parker-Turner. With roughly 15 members, a typical weekly meeting includes games between students as well as lessons and discussions on chess strategy. But D’Alonzo said the club is open to every skill level, and even if you don’t know how to play, members will be there to help you learn. Some things to look forward to include the Central New York Open, a regional chess tournament hosted in Syracuse that allows members to flex their competitive muscles while meeting local players.

“I like the comradery, and we’re all really close,” D’Alonzo said.

When: Friday at 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Room 307 Tolley Hall
Perks: Club competes in the Central New York Open

Entrepreneurship Club

One of the largest clubs on campus, the Entrepreneurship Club accommodates 200 to 300 members a semester said Cole Singer, the group’s co-president. The club’s weekly meetings feature talks given by different experts on the entrepreneurial world — some guests own their own businesses and others are connected to the field. At the end of every meeting, members are given the opportunity to ask that week’s speaker any questions they may have. Aside from educational perks, Singer said the club is a great opportunity to network with others.

“The people are kind of what make the club what it is,” Singer said. “The people are so driven in that club. I’ve met some of my best friends at Syracuse there.”

When: Mondays at 8 p.m.
Where: Martin J. Whitman School of Management 007
Perks: Regular members are given the opportunity to attend a networking event, and this year’s club trip will be to Kansas City, Missouri

Float Your Boat: Sketch Comedy Club

This student-run comedy club is run by juniors Mathilde Meyer and Annabeth Grace Mann. With about 20 members, the club meets once a week to brainstorm sketches, run read-throughs and plan for the filming of some sketches, Meyer said. And for the fall semester, they plan on ramping things up. The club will feature one large, filmed production this fall. Some of the other sketch comedy club events to look forward to this semester include a formal and workshops focused on writing and stand-up comedy.

“Everyone is always so open to ideas and willing to work with you to further your skills,” Meyer said in an email.

When: TBD
Where: Newhouse 1
Perks: See your work and collaboration on film

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Gaming Club

The Gaming Club, run by senior Erin Elliott, is a social club open to all gaming levels and interests. Members meet on Friday nights and play a variety of games, including Spymaster, Two Rooms and a Boom and Codenames. Meetings can last a few hours, but the commitment isn’t strict — Elliott said the club maintains an “open” policy and members are encouraged to come as often as they can. Some things to look forward to this year include Global Game Jam — a 48-hour event where the club partners with another SU organization for a team competition to create the best board game — and International Tabletop Day, a holiday in April which the club plans an event for.

“Gaming is a great way to meet people,” Elliott said. “We strive to make it as inclusive of an environment as possible. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played. Someone’s going to teach you.”

When: Friday at 6 p.m.
Where: Marshall Hall, SUNY-ESF
Perks: Global Game Jam and International Tabletop Day

Health & Wellness Club

This club, based in the School of Education, is all about learning how to be your healthiest self. Members meet about once every three weeks for meetings that either feature speakers, events or yoga sessions, said the club’s president, Jackson Barnes. The junior health and exercise science major said he wants to expand the club’s reach to students across SU, especially since health and wellness is relevant to everyone. Some of the things to look forward to in this club include meetings with experts to talk about health myths and teaching stretching routines, as well as volunteering at local running events.

“I would say (my favorite thing is) figuring out who we want to come in, what we want to do and showing people how to be healthy and well,” Barnes said. “We try and think outside of the box.”

When: Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Life Sciences Building
Perks: Health and wellness professionals provide free seminars and sessions for meetings

Published on August 22, 2018 at 2:16 pm

Contact Lydia: lnilesst@syr.edu