Get Involved and make a difference !!

The Office of Student Activities and Leadership Programs (SALP) provides students with a range of co-curricular opportunities. Students can reflect, learn, incorporate and apply their student activities experience into their academic and work environments. Students are invited to draw from their own interests to co-create a campus environment that fosters and strengthens each student.s affiliation with the University. SALP represents more than 200 student organizations and provides workshops, seminars and classes on a wide variety of topics.

Programs: Student Organizations, Events, Party in the Park, Activity Resource Fairs, New Student Week Activities, Leadership Training, and Academic Credit for Co-curricular involvement

Top 10 Reasons to Get Involved.
10. Make decisions that impact the PSU campus and greater community.
9. Complement your academic work with hands-on experience.
8. Experience physical, mental and emotional well-being.
7. Expand your personal strengths and skills.
6. Collaborate with faculty, deans and other students at PSU.
5. Develop leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
4. Join a community of great people.
3. Gain personal satisfaction in being involved.
2. Create new friendships.
1. Have fun.

Types of student organizations include:

Academic/Honorary Groups - Almost all of the academic programs on campus have student organizations who gather around common curricular interests. Students in these programs have the opportunity to interact with faculty informally, meet alumni in their field, go on field trips, attend or develop conferences, network, and pursue there interests in ways that are not always possible in the classroom.

Fine and Performing Arts Groups - These student organizations offer many unique ways to get involved in vibrant cultural experiences. Our organizations offer opportunities like: learning how to dance, attending poetry readings, becoming a radio DJ, producing classical or popular music concerns, performing in an orchestra, managing an art gallery, acting in drama productions, singing in a chamber choir or an opera, developing film festivals.

Multicultural Groups - Includes groups from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. These organizations coordinate events, such as Pow Wows, Black History Month activities, African Cultural Night, International Night, Chicano Awareness Week, and Queer Awareness Week.

Political Groups - For fifty years ASPSU (Associated Students of Portland State University) has been the student umbrella organization that has served individual students, student organizations, faculty, staff and PSU administration in providing and advocating for student representation and participation in the activities of University policies. Additionally, we have many other groups that represent political parties and activities.

Recreation Groups - Provide opportunities for both students and the PSU community to create healthy lives through exercising, competing, forming communities, and getting outside! Student recreation has three components: 1) Campus-wide programs like intramurals and the outdoor program, 2) The staffing and management of the Peter W. Stott Center during the open recreation hours, and 3) Over ten club sports.

Service and Advocacy Groups - Include a diverse range of student organizations committed to social change, empowerment and community.

Spiritual Groups - PSU has more than a dozen groups representing different spiritual traditions. These groups are involved in everything from bible study, to fellowship, to learning about Buddhist meditation.

How do you get involved?
Go to the office of Student Activities and Leadership Programs on the first floor of Smith Memorial Student Union to get a list of student organizations. Drop by student organization offices, many located in Smith Memorial Student Union. Contact any of the student organizations that interest you. Attend any of the exciting events that happen throughout the year. Read the Vanguard, Rearguard, or Spectator and listen to KPSU at 1450 AM. Recreate at Peter Stott Center. Attend the annual Party in the Park (held on the first Friday of Fall term) or one of many Activity Resource Fairs (held once per term).