By Jaime Alcaparras

Will you know anybody on your first day of classes? There is an easy way to meet students in your field of study or interest whether it is finding a cure for cancer or discussing anime. With more than 235 recognized student organizations (RSO) at the University of Louisville, finding a group or groups feeding your interests should not be difficult. And if the group does not already exist, students can create their own group.

Before she got involved in the Resident Student Association (RSA), junior marketing major Jessica Flick said she wanted to leave U of L. “I didn’t really feel connected,” Flick said, “I almost went home, but I am glad I didn’t.” Today Flick is the president of the National Residence Hall Honorary, a subgroup of the RSA.

“The first time you’re on campus, you don’t know anybody,” said senior history major Ngoc Yen Tran. Although there are only a handful of Vietnamese students on campus, Tran knows a lot of them through the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA). “VSA is a club that a newcomer can join and meet people from their own culture and nationality,” said Tran, who is the VSA treasurer.

Much of the globe is represented at U of L through the ethnic and cultural RSOs. There are at least seven RSOs dedicated to black students such as the Association of Black Students. After seven years, ABS has approximately 300 members and is among the largest RSOs on campus.

“ABS is an organization that encompasses every aspect of campus life,” said former ABS Vice President OJ Oleka. “We have political interaction, social gatherings, academic pursuits and community events,” said Oleka, a sophomore marketing major.

RSOs of any size and interest – cultural, academic, entertainment, political, religious – can be discovered and started in the U of L community.

RSO Program Coordinator Sharon Mudd said starting an RSO is fairly simple. All you need are five members, one advisor and a group constitution. Last spring, 10 RSOs were added, including the fast growing Colleges Against Cancer. This group hosted the Relay for Life, an event set out to remember cancer victims and to celebrate and honor cancer survivors.

Recognized under the Student Government Association, all RSOs must follow standard guidelines and attend an annual meeting to remain in good standing. The purpose of the annual meeting is to update records on the RSO, give leadership tips and discuss policies.

RSOs in good standing can apply for speaker funds, travel funds or project funds through the SGA. “We’re here to help,” Mudd said.

However, these benefits are suspended if RSOs do not follow through with obligations. Currently, 35 RSOs are on probation because of not attending the required annual meeting. Thus far, Twenty-five RSOs have been suspended due to multiple missed meetings. Once suspended, the university no longer recognizes the group and its benefits are stripped away.

“We only suspended one group this spring,” Mudd said, “I hope that’s due to our efforts to reach the group leaders, and I hope it’s a trend that will continue.” Mudd said she repeatedly tries to reach groups about meetings by utilizing the new RSO list server and placing flyers in RSO mailboxes.