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Student Activities

The Student Activities Office mission is to provide a large array of activities and leadership opportunities to the Ohio Dominican community. These initiatives and opportunities complement the University’s academic mission and enhance the overall educational experience of students.

The Student Activities Office fulfills its mission by sponsoring cultural, educational, and entertainment activities; developing student leaders; and coordinating various activities with student organizations on campus.

By participating in a student organization, Ohio Dominican students have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, interact with their classmates, and play an active role in the community. Whether it’s involvement in a student organization or another aspect of campus life, the Student Activities Office can help students find their niche at Ohio Dominican!


Student Organizations at Ohio Dominican University

Student Representation

Student Government: Student Government provides a forum to promote civic responsibility; provide student representation in the University governance; build student leadership; and recognize, promote, and regulate clubs and organizations. Student Government is responsible for representing the concerns of the student body and acting as a liaison between students, student organizations, faculty, and the administration of the University. Student Government’s membership includes 32 student representatives. Meetings are publicized and Association of Resident Studentsopen to the University community.

Association of Commuter Students: Commuting students elect the President and Vice President of their association in the spring preceding their term of office. Through these officers, commuting student interests are represented within Student Government.

Association of Resident Students: Representatives from all residence hall living units are elected to this association that sponsors programs, addresses issues of special concern to residents, and promotes residence hall spirit and unity. The President and Vice President of this body are elected in the spring preceding their term of office. Residents are encouraged to communicate frequently with their living unit representative to learn of ARS plans and programs.


Academic

College Bowl
The College Bowl organization is ODU's competitive academic team.  College Bowl will compete in regional, national, and club leagues.  All students are welcome to participate in this quiz team organization.

Delta Sigma Pi: Delta Sigma Pi is a professional fraternity organized to foster the study of business in universities; to encourage scholarship, social activity and the association of students for their mutual advancement by research and practice; to promote closer affiliation between the commercial world and students of commerce, and to further a higher standard of commercial ethics and culture and the civic and commercial welfare of the community.

History Club: The History Club's main purpose is to provide a supplement to the history program at Ohio Dominican. The organization strives to offer support and guidance for students within the history program, as well as interested non-majors. Further than just academic pursuits, Saecla Vincere offer the opportunity to have a greater appreciation for history in general.

Model United Nations: Model United Nations is an authentic simulation of the U.N. General Assembly and other multilateral bodies. ODU students participate in exercises and national conferences to promote interest in international relations and related subjects.

The Palette Club

Palette Club: This organization encourages fellowship and the spirit of unity among the University community, while further enhancing the art education of students. The organization provides a venue for professional mentoring in the arts. Faculty and local art professionals introduce the students and community of Ohio Dominican University to the vibrant arts community in Columbus.

Philosophy Club: The Philosophy Club promotes the study of philosophy at ODU with a variety of activities, including lectures, debates, and group activities. Membership is open to all ODU students, regardless of major or minor.

Psychology Club: The Psychology Club provides a variety of opportunities for students interested in the field of Psychology, including on-campus lectures, group activities, and empirical research projects. The group also provides information on off-campus speakers, graduate school and undergraduate Psychology conferences.

Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) 
The purpose of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is to cultivate a favorable and mutually advantageous relationship between students and professional public relations practitioners.  PRSSA's mission is to serve our members by enhancing their knowledge of public relations and providing access to professional development opportunities.

Science Club: The ODU Science Club encourages all ODU community members to expand and enhance their science knowledge by providing educational speakers and trips to Ohio exhibits and attractions as well as providing information about professional science degrees.

Sigma Tau Delta: Sigma Tau Delta is an international honors society for students in English. Members have opportunities to participate in a variety of activities, such as movie nights, the annual Scrabble tournament, and more. Sigma Tau Delta is also primarily responsible for the publication of Gesture, Ohio Dominican's literature magazine.

Social Work Action Task Force: A group of students interested in the fields of Social Work and Sociology.

Sport Management Society: The Sport Management Society provides a variety of opportunities for group activities, guest speakers, field trips, professional development, and event planning.  The society also provides information about graduate school programs, sport management conferences, and off-campus speakers.

Tau Pi Phi: Tau Pi Phi is a National Business Honorary.  All students nominated must achieve a 3.5 GPA overall and in the major.  The purpose of Tau Pi Phi is to recognize and honor students for quality academic achievement.  More specifically, the honorary was founded to promote scholarship, to encourage the practice of the highest ethical canons in business, and to foster the social nature of business.


Multicultural

Amigos Latinos: Amigos is open to anyone who values Hispanic/Latino culture.  The goals of this organization include, but are not limited to: educating about issues pertaining to the Hispanic community, raising cultural awareness, building fellowship, and promoting positive social change against discrimination. 

Black Student Union: The Black Student Union at Ohio Dominican University is a multicultural organization where all students are welcome. This organization allows students the opportunity to meet members of the community and receive information about future plans and goals as it relates to the minority population. The BSU seeks to help students foster a sense of cultural pride and academic success among minority students by providing a variety of special interest, social, and educational programs.

Bridges of Diversity: The mission of Bridges of Diversity at Ohio Dominican University is to celebrate the diversity within our community.  Bridges of Diversity raises awareness on campus about all aspects of diversity to breakdown misconceptions and stereotypes.  The Bridges of Diversity presents educational and social opportunities for the community to celebrate the differences that make us all unique.

Mila: The general purpose of Mila, like many African societies, is to show how dance serves a complex diversity of social purposes. The primary mission is to support ODU, the community, and various groups interested in learning more about culture and dance. This dance team will also stand as a representation of the school’s diversity and excelled standard.

PRIDE: The purpose of PRIDE is to provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and ally students at Ohio Dominican University consistent with the teaching of the Catholic church and the mission of the University.  PRIDE promotes education and understanding regarding issues pertaining to GLBT students while fostering a campus community where every person’s dignity, freedom and equality are respected.  PRIDE provides support for students who identify as GLBT through direct partnerships with Campus Ministry and Counseling Services, which also assist in maintaining that the goals of the organization are consistent with our Catholic and Dominican values.


Performance

ODU Choir

Bands: ODU offers students the opportunity to participate in a variety of performing ensembles, music courses, music lessons, and a music minor that allow our students to remain active and excel in music at the collegiate level.

Choir: University Choir is a mixed choral group providing study and experience of a variety of choral literature. The choir sponsors and participates in many special events of the University.

Panther Players: The theatre organization at ODU is an experience that enables students to enhance communication and acting skills. They have the opportunity to act, direct, and build set designs for various productions.


Media

RadiODU

RadiODU: The student-run campus radio station is located in Panther Plaza. This organization provides radio broadcasting and DJ service for campus events. Anyone interested in radio broadcasting or music is encouraged to join this group.

The Tower: The Tower is the student-run newspaper featuring articles on campus life, news and events. The Tower is a great way for all kinds of majors to get involved in professional writing, interviewing, photographing and more.

 


Sports & Recreation

Club Bowling: The Bowling Club participates in bowling tournaments as a member of the American Heartland Intercollegiate Bowling Conference. This club is open to all students who are interested in the sport of bowling. Read more about one student who chose ODU because we had bowling!

Club Lacrosse: The men’s Club Lacrosse team is open to students who are interested in playing lacrosse. The team competes with other club lacrosse teams from the area.

Namaste Yoga: Aligned with the Ohio Dominican University mission statement "to contemplate the truth and share the fruits of that contemplation," the mission of the Namaste Yoga Club is to encourage students, faculty, and staff to participate in yoga for health and wellness. Namaste Yoga Club hosts classes and other events promoting yoga at Ohio Dominican.

Wrestling: ODU's latest sport club is wrestling. It is open to men and women.

Lady Panthers Dance Team: The purpose of the Lady Panthers Danceteam is to develop a team for competitive dance purposes.  It is the mission of the organization to provide an atmosphere of healthy competition through dance and to enhance the skills of the team in order to compete.

Equestrian Association: The Equestrian Association promotes activity, involvement, and learning of horses through meetings, riding opportunities, and involvement with community equine organizations.  No previous experience or ownership required, just a love of horses!  We’ve got horseplay with meetings, fundraisers, and activities that will make you nicker with joy!


Social

The Panther KraziesPanther Activities Council: Panther Activities Council (PAC) is a programming board that is open to all students to help and plan a variety of events on campus. Help plan ODU annual events such as Welcome Week, Make A Difference Day, Mardi Gras, ODU Day, and the Last Dance. PAC also coordinates the weekly events series Tuesday Night Thunder. PAC gives you the inside track on what is occurring on campus and allows you to have a hand in making ODU fun.

Panther Krazies: The mission of Panther Krazies is to support Ohio Dominican in all aspects of a pep club.  This organization is the bases of moral support for ODU and our athletic events.  It's the Krazies mission to provide enthusiastic support at ODU athletic events, while cheering the Panthers to victory by creating a spirited and competitive environment

ODU Film Society: ODU Film Society is a group of students who come together for social and entertainment fun. Students watch movies of all different genres, then discuss inner meanings, plots, climaxes, and comparisons. All students are welcome to join and have great time watching movies.


Religous/Service

Campus Ministry

Saint Paul’s Outreach: Saint Paul's Outreach (SPO) is an evangelistic and catechetical lay ministry that serves university students and young adults.  SPO presents the life-changing power of the Gospel to train young adults as followers of Christ within the Catholic Church.  SPO carries out its mission by providing faith supporting environments that are practically centered on a relationship with God and loving others, such as men's and women's households, small groups, prayer meetings, and social events.

Social Justice Club: The Ohio Dominican University Social Justice Club is an organization which is founded on the social teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Our mission is to educate ourselves and the community on the teachings and the issues, and to also come to know those who are the most vulnerable in our society. As an organization in a Dominican University, the members of this organization will strive to preach the Gospel by word and action in a positive way through this club and in our everyday lives.

Environmental Conservation Club - The mission of the Environmental Conservation Club is to actively engage the campus community in maintaining a healthy environment on the local and global scales through educational events, as well as various service projects.

American Red Cross Club - The mission of the American Red Cross Club is to reach out to the Ohio Dominican community by promoting the importance of being a committed blood donor through enthusiastic forms of education.

Respect For Life - The purpose of this organization is to provide an opportunity for students of Ohio Dominican University to come together in support of the importance of respecting life from conception to natural death as is consistent with the mission of the university and the teachings of the Catholic Church.  We will raise awareness of the issues surrounding abortion, euthanasia, capitol punishment, genocide, etc. This is a Christian organization, but is open to members of other faiths.  Campus Ministry will assist in maintaining that the goals of the organization are consistent with Catholic and Dominican values.


Other Opportunities for Involvement

Resident Assistants: You can become involved in Residence Life by becoming a Resident Assistant (RA). RAs live in the residence halls and lead floor activities and events.

Admissions Ambassadors: Student Ambassadors are a select group of current ODU students chosen to assist Admission with the recruitment process. Ultimately, Student Ambassadors serve as a link between the Office of Admissions, the current student body, and prospective students. Student Ambassadors best represent the image and mission of Ohio Dominican University. The two main duties of the ambassador include general office assignments and conducting campus tours for prospective students and their families.

Peer Mentors: Peer mentors welcome first year students by helping them ensure a smooth transition and promote positive adjustment to college life. Mentors work with 20-25 new students through the ODU 100 Orientation class throughout the first semester and continue the relationship on a more informal basis through the freshman's first year. Peer mentors help: orient new students to college life and campus resources; promote academic success by helping students connect in-class learning with campus activities and involvement outside the classroom; help foster friendships and interactions; provide support and understanding from a student-based perspective.


Intramurals


Honoraries:

Kappa Delta Pi (Education Honor Society) - Ohio Dominican University was granted chapter status to begin a new chapter of Kappa Delta Pi named Alpha Beta Chi on campus in the Fall of 2004. Kappa Delta Pi members make up the top 10% of those entering the field of education, and include award-winning, and outstanding-practicing educators. Selection as a member of Kappa Delta Pi is based on high academic achievement, a commitment to education as a career, and a professional attitude that assures steady growth in the profession.

Psi Chi (Psychology Honor Society) - Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of Psychology.

Theta Alpha Kappa (Theology Honor Society) - Founded in 1976 at Manhattan College in Riverdale, New York, Theta Alpha Kappa is the only national honor society serving the needs of those involved in the study of religion and/or Theology at both the baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate levels of higher education.

Delta Epsilon Sigma (Catholic Honor Society) - Delta Epsilon Sigma is a national scholastic honor society for students, faculty, and alumni of colleges and universities with a Catholic tradition. It was founded in 1939 to recognize academic accomplishments, to foster scholarly activities, and to encourage a sense of intellectual community among its members.

Kappa Gamma Pi (Catholic Honor Society)- The purpose of Kappa Gamma Pi is to strive for a high standard of personal Christian excellence and scholarship among members; to encourage individual and group initiative and participation in local and national church and secular affairs; and to awaken a spirit of Christian leadership among the undergraduates of Kappa affiliated colleges and universities.


If you have questions about a student organization, starting a new organization, or how to get involved on campus, contact:

Jennifer Conti, Director
Student Activities
Erskine Hall 136
Ohio Dominican University
1216 Sunbury RD
Columbus OH 43219

(614) 251-4726
studentactivities@ohiodominican.edu

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