Something for everyone

Curious about expanding your resume and social life this year? Portland State offers over 100 student groups to help you enhance your repertoire (whatever that may be) and sharpen your skills.

Student groups are broken up into six clusters, with academic, service, arts and industry, multicultural, spiritual, political and Greek Life interests represented. Here’s just a small sample of some student groups offered at Portland State.

Multicultural Cluster – Pacific Islanders Club
If you’re looking for a little fun (and a number of student activity awards) check out the Pacific Islanders Club. This group took home the 2006-07 SALPies (awards given to student groups by Student Activities and Leadership) for both Social Event of the Year and Event of the Year for their 5th annual luau, held last May. In addition to throwing parties, the Pacific Islanders Club is known around campus for providing all-encompassing activities.

Arts and Industry Cluster – PSU Film Committee and Fifth Avenue Cinema
The Film Committee and Portland State’s Fifth Avenue Cinema won awards for Educational Event of the Year and Outstanding Organizational Website. Whether you want to get involved or just like to be entertained, the Film Committee is a useful group to know about. Fifth Avenue Cinema offers an eclectic selection of films free to students that range from cult classics to foreign and arthouse films and everything in between.

Spiritual Cluster – Diamond Way Buddhist Meditation Group
Class getting you down? Work life too stressful? Discover some inner peace for yourself with the Diamond Way Buddhist Meditation Group. This nonprofit religious organization focusing on traditional Tibetan Buddhism holds weekly introductory meetings Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Room 236 of the Smith Memorial Student Union. Weekly meditations are also held Wednesdays at 2274 N.W. Raleigh St., Suite 3A, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Greek life Cluster – Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity
The Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity was the first national Greek letter organization at PSU. TKE’s mission statement unites its fraternity brothers with the common goal of graduation, and the late Joseph Blumel, who served as PSU president from 1974-86, was a member. Additional information on TKE and other fraternities and sororities on campus is available online.

Academic/Honors Cluster – Engineers Without Borders
Engineers Without Borders is a group that focuses on the design and implementation of engineering projects such as solar power, water transportation and the construction of ecostoves, which generate heat from pellets made from wood byproducts in less prosperous communities around the world. The group recently returned from an expedition to Nicaragua, where they surveyed the area to collect data for an upcoming project to implement new engineering infrastructure. Engineers Without Borders also practices sustainability.

Service Cluster – Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG)
OSPIRG is known for confronting serious issues like global warming with educational campaign and campus canvassing efforts, and rallying students to get involved. Some of OSPIRG’s current projects include raising awareness and donations for the homeless, sustainability initiatives such as on-campus energy conservation and campaigning for higher education in Salem.

Political Cluster – Portland State College Republicans
As might be expected, the PSU College Republicans rally for right-leaning initiatives, bringing national Republican speakers to speak on issues such as the armed forces, pro-life issues and other conservative topics. This year the group hopes to bring Lars Larson, a conservative talk-radio host, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Saxton. For those who really want to be involved, the group holds annual student elections.

For a full list of current student groups or for more information, visit the Student Activities and Leadership Programs office located on the first floor of SMSU, or on the web at www.web.pdx.edu/~salp.