University of Connecticut Top Questions

What are the most popular student activities/groups?

Robert

Greek life, although it only makes up less than a fifth of student at UConn, is very visible on campus. Fraternity parties to make up a large chunk of the party culture at UConn. Athletic events are very popular. Basketball games always sell out. Dormitories are very inviting freshman year but then generally people find their niche and stick with those people, often originating from people they met their freshman year. There isn't much traditional dating going on a UConn. it's very much a hookup culture. If you're awake at 2AM on a tuesday you could very well be at a bar night or in the library finishing a paper. People party every weekend, usually at least two nights a week. UConn has lots of fun activities and performers that they bring to campus to encourage students to do things besides drink. If you want to get off campus Boston and New york city are accessible.

Amanda

1) Basketball 2) Physics club 3) Some do, not all 4) Very popular 5) Not really a dating scene 6) Met most of my friends because they lived on my floor or I took a class with them 7) Studying 8) I don't know 9) A fair amount but not excessively 10) Not overly important but are popular 11) Spent entire weekend preparing for three midterms 12) Late night or go to see a movie 13) Nothing, it is all farm land

Jeff

There are over 100 clubs and organizations to join, so there's something for everyone. I've been involved with various clubs including the Photography club, as well as Community Outreach (tutoring middle school kids) and Husky Ambassadors (giving personal 1 on 1 tours with high school students). Athletic events are very popular, and there's always other events throughout the semester including guest speakers, theater performances, etc. Partying is popular since there is not much else to do on the weekends. There's "Late Night" at the student union on Friday nights, where there is karaoke, activities, and a movie, but there's even less on Saturday nights. People who don't party usually hang out with friends, watch a movie, order food, etc. The dating scene is tough in my opinion. A lot of people just want hookups, although there's people who do want relationships if you're into them. The LGBT dating scene is even more difficult, but still possible.

Joseph

Intramural sports are so popular that a lot of students can't even get on teams. They run out of spots very quickly so you need to sign up right away. Depending on what building you live in, students will leave their door open and unlocked. Freshman dominant buildings always have their doors open. Athletic events are huge, especially when the basketball games are played on campus in Gampel Pavilion. People here don't date, they hook up. You can find a party regardless of what night it is. If you want to party you will, and if you don't there are plenty of people who will hang out for the night in the dorm.

Jessica

The most popular student groups are probably the ones that are formed in the cultural centers. We have cultural centers ranging from those for Asian Americans to Puerto Rican and Latin Americans to African Americans, as well as centers for LGBT students, women and international students. Centers like ASACC (asian american cultural center) have a lot of related clubs, such as Japanese Students Association and Korean Student's association (open to anyone interested, not just people of those ethnicities).

Hagar

I think the largetst organization on campus right now is the ski and snow boarding club. I am personally involved with the African Students Association, some volunteering groups, a member of the National Society of collegiate scholars uconn chapter and also the president of the Nubian Foxes dance group; There are so many events that take place from comedy shows to games to internship fairs and motivational speakers.

Victoria

Greek life, varsity, club, and intramural sports, clubs, volunteering, and the student government as well as its various committees are very popular on campus. I don't think I've met someone who isn't involved in one of the things above. As you can expect, athletic events are HUGE on campus, particularly football and basketball games. The Student Government always has comedians and guest speakers (this week we had Billy Joel!) so if that's more your speed there are events for you! On the weekends, you'll see students heading over to Carriage Apartments, Huskies Bar, Ted's Bar, or Thirsty's Bar. if you aren't into going out, the Student Union has a late night every friday that has free giveaways and karaoke; it's actually really popular! Basically, a UConn student works hard during the week then parties hard Thursday-Saturday.

Jillian

Club sports are definitely the most popular groups on campus. I'm involved with rugby, and it's a lot of fun. I work with the women's basketball team as a job opportunity, and it is the best thing about UConn. I'm a member of the Equine Club, Alpha Lambda Delta, a UConn honor society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Needless to say, I'm always busy. In lower class men dorms, the doors are always open. Upper class man suites are more like hotels, and significantly less social. Athletic events always draw huge crowds. Guest speakers are amazing; yesterday we had BILLY JOEL. He spoke, answered questions, and performed six or seven songs. There are always plays, as UConn co-ops with the CT Rep. Theatre. I'm not super familiar with the dating scene, as I've been in a relationship from my senior year of high school. I met my closest friends through a friend from home who also goes to UConn. Spring Weekend will hopefully be happening this year again. People party regularly, but it depends on the person really. Some people go to the bar every night, some people only go out on weekends, and some people don't go out at all. Fraternities and sororities are a big part of UConn. I rushed this semester and I unfortunately had to drop the sorority I received a bid from due to cost and time commitment. I wish I had stuck with it. If you don't drink, Late Night at the Union always offers fun programs on Friday nights. Also, the Union Theatre has movies, both old and new, Thursday through Sunday nights.

Rachel

There are so many clubs on campus, I wouldn't even know where to begin describing them. If you can think of it, there is a club for it. If there isn't, you can make your own! I am part of an acapella group and I teach exercise classes for our gym. Depending on the time of day, where you live, and how much studying there is to do, people leave their doors open. Athletic events are very popular. There are many guest speakers/performers/shows/concerts going on here. I met my closest friends in the dorm, because as a freshman many people are willing to meet new friends and leave their doors open. My friends and I go out once or twice a week. Some people never go out and some people go out almost every night. Fraternities and sororities are present on campus but not too important. UConn offers alternatives to going out every weekend at late night. There is a bunch of free stuff/crafts. We have a movie theater with free or two dollar movies. They also offer bus trips to malls and NYC and Boston.

Katherine

whether it is going to games, or parties, or "late night" at the union

Maeve

UConn has over 500 different clubs and organizations on campus. Like I said before, you can find every type of activity or interest in these clubs. I think that all the clubs and organizations here are incredibly successful and get the amount of members necessary to go about what they want to do. I'm involved with a few different groups here, including the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and Community Outreach (CO). Last year in USG, I was the Freshman Class Senator and Deputy Speaker of the Senate. I am now the chairperson of the Retention and Recruitment Committee, where I focus on strengthening USG from the inside-out, while encouraging students to join. It's an incredible organization, and has a lot of influence on this campus. My other group, which I am most passionate about, is Community Outreach. I volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, where I mentor 5th and 6th grade students in low-income areas throughout the year. I also am apart of the Alternative Spring Breaks in CO. Last year, I went to New Orleans for spring break, and plan on going to the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma this spring. It's an incredible experience to be apart of! You can also get involved with the cultural centers or Greek life here. Greek life is not a big factor at UConn, but those who do get involved absolutely love it. It really depends on what you're interested in! The Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts is a great place on campus. There is always a show here, and I've seen some great performances! Ray Allen, the creator of "Post Secret", Billy Joel, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Ludacris... they have everyone! The Student Union Board of Governors (SUBOG) puts on a lot of these shows, and also host the Union Late Nights on weekends. They are a big part of all the fun things on campus, and are always coming up with great ideas for the students!

Jessie

a cappella group performs "A Space Between"

AJ

great time in this area. I was a member of a fraternity here and I saw alot of cool stuff over the last 4 yrs. The campus provides alot of activities to do, sports to play, and a few bars to party at too. I recommend TKE fraternity to really make the most of your time here, but other frsternities sororities and orgs. will do the trick.

Jenn

there is something to do on campus every single day of every semester- at the gym, theater, student union ect.

Alex

Greek life is the biggest thing on the social scene. Parties are legit, you can find some real good parties. Sometimes it is hard for guys to get it but usually i go to at least 2 a week.

Jessica

The most popular team is quite obviously the basketball team. Simple as that. The only thing I am involved in at Storrs is the Northwest Dining Hall (part of the freshman dorms), where I have worked since freshman year. Getting involved in an on-campus job is a great way to make friends. Every year you make new ones. My previous group of friends, I had met through the dining hall and previous roommates. My newer group of friends is my new roommates and friends from working this past year. If you are awake at 2am on a Tuesday, you are probably studying or writing a paper. If not, then it is a holiday, aka St. Patty's Day, Valentine's Day etc. In the dorms, students often have their doors open when they are around and often people wander from room to room.

Brett

Ballroom dancing is more prevalent. I'm in Global House, a learning community of international students and those who are interested in other cultures. Some leave their doors open, some don't. Athletics are VERY VERY popular. So are most guest speakers, concerts, theater, etc. People try out more things as far as dating goes. Most seem to keep dates quiet until they decide that, yes, it can work out as a long-term relationship. There's also been some hookups I know of. I met my closest friend in middle school, and she goes to Uconn too. If I'm awake at 2am on Tuesday, I'm swamped by work. There are a lot of parties, most just in dorms.

Dave

involved with husky ambassadors- we run the open houses and have a program called Husky for a Day in which prospective students shadow us to see what being at uconn is like, people party every weekend, athletic events are pretty popular

Jessica

There is something going on on campus no matter what day it is. We have had may famous authors, comedians, poets, musical artisits, activists, & actors come to campus. There are too many to name. Social life all depends on the person & what they like to do. Students usually hang out with their close friends during the week & hang out in larger groups on the weekend. I cannot speak for all students because everyone likes to do different things that is why this campus is so diverse. However, because in a rural area, there is not much to do outside campus.

Annie

All of the athletics are very popular. Parties right off campus are very popular although there is sober alternatives in Late Night on Fridays. My floor left their doors open although it really depends on the floor. People are very friendly and I know I hung out with my floor all the time.