Portland State is an enormous university with a massive student body of diversified interests. Fortunately, there are student groups and clubs for nearly every shade of fascination. Some groups are better known than others. You’ve likely heard about Greek life, sports and campus political bodies, but did you know the niches go even deeper? Below you’ll find the beginner’s guide to lesser known student groups and ostensibly, one confectionary cabal.
Anime, it seems, has been with us since the dawn of time. It’s no surprise, then, that the art form has so many acolytes. If you count yourself among those inclined toward The Japanimation, you might be interested in joining the Anime Club. The group meets weekly for various social activities, such as discussions and screenings.
Joining up with the group is also a great way to stay abreast of all things anime related in Portland. Also, the group hosts an annual Pokémon tournament that doubles as a canned food drive. Philanthropy, I choose you!
Swords are cool, and thank goodness someone at this school had the gumption to acknowledge that and do the right thing. The right thing is, of course, to create the Fencing Club, which focuses on the art of mortal combat by blade. Okay, so maybe there’s more to fencing. Stuff like timing, balance, precision, patience and knowing how the heck to move around in one of those beekeeper suits are probably high up on the list of things you’ll learn when you join this club! If nothing else, you’ll get a nice workout in arguably the coolest way possible.
If swords aren’t your thing, it might be worth considering their only natural enemy: fire. Fire Arts is a club that focuses on the art of fire dancing. Forms of fire dancing include poi, staff, hoop, whips and fans, among others. The club does not actually practice with fire, though, so there’s no need to worry about bursting into flame at your first practice session. Though, if you somehow did, you’d likely be considered a prodigy amongst your peers.
The Brony Alliance for Magical Friendship is kind of exactly what it sounds like: a place for anyone who is enthusiastic about the 2010 reboot of the My Little Pony animated series. The group hosts meetups, discussions and screenings of the show. It’s also a great place to learn about the greater Portland brony community.
If you’re looking to get your game on, PSU has options! So many options! PSU Magic is the club to get in contact with if you’re into summoning eldritch minions in Magic: The Gathering. If you’re into MOBAs, creeping in the jungle and #bigplays, you might consider the PSU League of Legends club. The Gamers Republic of University Players focuses on tabletop and roleplaying games in a casual environment. All groups welcome players of all skill levels. Roll for awesome!
PSU has a furry community, and if you’re down with the anthropomorphs you can join up with the Portland Collegiate Furs. The group aims to create a safe space for all those interested in anthropomorphic animals. The group arranges charitable events and acts as a positive face for the community. Collegiate Furs also occasionally hosts art nights, if you fancy yourself talented with ink, and costume-making, if you enjoy working with your hands. Or paws, for that matter.
Like a blackened ship that passes upon a Stygian sea on a foggy night, I can’t prove the Coalition of Cupcake Connoisseurs actually exists. There’s no record of them on the university’s website and their OrgSync account is bare, yet I hear their siren call still. Perhaps it’s a joke group. Perhaps it was once popular, but fell into disrepair and is now nothing more than a defunct shell. I choose to believe they’re a secret society that will come to collect you if you leave a blood-red sweet cake outside your dorm when the moon is at its most voluminous.
PSU is a great place to meet and connect with like-minded students, and the clubs listed above are just a handful of those available. You can find more student clubs by browsing the available organizations on orgsync.com, or by checking out the list provided. If you don’t see the club of your dreams, then start one! You can start a club by filling out the necessary forms on OrgSync and meeting with an adviser from Student Activities and Leadership Programs. All you need is a couple of friends with similar interests and you’re set to go!