What Students Don't Know

If you're a UMass student, do you know what an RSO is?  Do you know what it stands for?  Surprisingly, when asked, many students don't know the answers to these questions.  It's a shame because so many student groups exist on campus that are excellent places for all students, and especially freshman, to get involved.  People who aren't members of an RSO, or at least a club, are missing out.

RSO stands for Registered Student Organization.  While anyone can make a club, an RSO is officially recognized by the SGA and can request a budget that comes from the SATF (see my earlier post on the SGA).  New RSOs are created during an application period using forms that can usually be found on the SGA Secretary of the Registry page here. 

No need to be sarcastic if you're not interested in the specifics.  If you want to join an RSO, Campus Pulse has a complete list of every organization.  Currently, the list has 512 organizations!  Of these, likely over 300 are active, not to mention all of the unregistered clubs that exist on campus.  With so many clubs there is a place for everyone.

I said "likely active" above because many groups don't use Campus Pulse or keep their pages up-to-date.  I implore RSO leaders to make use of this website.  I know it can be annoying, especially when you have your own separate webpage, but Campus Pulse could be an extremely helpful resource as a central location for all RSOs.  I know as an incoming freshman I tried to use the website but was discouraged by how few RSOs actually put information on it.  Please help make the website better.

According to the New York Times, UMass Amherst Graduates in 2010 had an average of $25,420 of student debt.  Sadly, the trouble with student debt has increased; According to collegedata, the average UMass Amherst student debt rose to $28,999 in 2013.  Many students are all too aware of this debt crisis, but many may not know what to do about it.

First, UMass Amherst offers many need- and merit-based scholarships both upon admission and for currently enrolled students.  There are many different locations on the web to look for scholarships, but a main UMass hub is located here.  Many of these scholarships require only a few answers to simple questions and/or a short essay.  These requirements may dissuade people, but they are no reason not to try for a scholarship.  Don't forget to check your individual college website for additional scholarships and the internet as a whole for even more.  Even if the scholarship only awards a few hundred dollars, every little bit helps!

Still looking for more ways to combat student debt?  Why not participate in Lobby Day?  Although many people may not have heard of it, this event happens every year and thousands of students already participate.  On Lobby Day, all the participating students go to Boston to advocate to Massachusetts legislators for (as you can see in the flyer above) "more affordable, accessible, quality public higher education."  Here are a couple of videos with more information and a look at what past Lobby Days have been like:

Are you so stressed you can't sleep?  Do you need help learning a new math concept or need someone to proofread your paper?  Are you trying to figure out what classes you should take?

Well, UMass Amherst provides services that offer solutions to all of these questions and more.  Students at this school have access to resources that they are either unaware of or apprehensive about seeking out.

Read on for more information

First of all, don't worry about the cost, these services are free! (sort of)

With all the money you spend to go here, that should be the expectation, right?  As you can see here, you already pay into a service fee and a health fee that support these programs.

So how do you take advantage of these resources?  One easy way is to find them online.  I know that sometimes the UMass websites can make you feel like this:

But they're not all bad.  Here are a couple of links with lists of some of the services UMass has to offer and their associated websites: List1 and List2

Two noteworthy services on these lists are the Writing Center and the Learning Resource Center.  These two centers offer students the opportunity to receive one-one-one help with papers or tutoring in any subject.  You shouldn't be self-conscious about using these services; they are here to help you succeed.  It's never a bad idea to get help when you need it.  You can meet either by appointment or as a walk-in.  Both of these services are conveniently located in the W. E. B. Dubois Library.

Another pair of useful services are Academic Advising and Career Services.  Academic advisors can help undeclared students (or even declared students) decide on which classes they should take to pursue their interests and/or a major.  When students need help finding internships or jobs, Career Services can help with resumes, interview preparation, and more.

Your Student Government: Top Left: Sïonan Barrett, SGA President

Top Right: Chantal Lima Barbosa, SGA Vice President