I need to add a disclaimer that this top 5 is from personal experience, and is simply meant to give you a snapshot of the different ways you can get involved around campus. For a full list of organizations that you can get involved with at Bentley, click here.
1) Class Cabinet – I was fortunate enough to hold the position of Vice President of the class of 2015 for both my freshman and sophomore years before having to vacate the position because I was studying abroad my junior year. The time I spent on the cabinet was meaningful for many reasons, but I most valued how many of my classmates I met, through campaigning for office and through different events we put on. If you want to meet a bunch of people and have an awesome time while you’re at it, think about class cabinet.
2) Bentley Ski and Snowboard Club – Bentley SSC holds a special place in my heart because I just returned from the club’s weekend trip to Stratton (Vermont), where the conditions were epic and the people were even better. Bentley SSC welcomes any and all of any skill level, as long as they’re looking to have a great time. They do day trips to mountains in the area at group discounts and with transportation provided. With the winter we’ve had, they even built a jump and a rail out on the Greenspace in the middle of campus for everyone’s enjoyment. I would suggest checking out their Instagram, which is phenomenal (personal bias definitely at play).
3) Student Athletic Advisory Committee – As a student-athlete here at Bentley, I have a vested interest in boosting school spirit and participation at athletic events. No organization does so better than SAAC, which runs promotions at different sporting events to drive up attendance and get people excited about how their peers are doing on the field, court, track, ice, course, etc. SAAC emphasizes the importance that athletics has on a college campus, and encourages athletes to go support their peers in the same way we hope they would support us. It gives students a voice in the athletics department and I value that they value our opinions.
4) La Societa Italiana di Bentley – While I can’t claim to be an active member of SIDB, I have been fortunate enough to attend some of their events, and they NEVER disappoint. It’s tough to go wrong with Italian culture, but they offer events like Make Your Own Pizza Night, an annual wine tasting (21+ of course), and a variety of other programs, including an Italian bingo night with some great prizes. As my post-abroad depression is apparently permanent, it’s nice to have a little reminder of Italy here on campus. The bonus is that you don’t have to be Italian to join the club, you just have to really like their food. And that means that everyone is welcome.
5) Campus Activities Board – Again, while I was never an active member of CAB, I certainly benefited from the incredible amount of programs they put on throughout my four years at Bentley. Most notable is Spring Day, an annual concert that brings some headline acts to campus and is filled with activities throughout the day, from bounce houses to athletic events, to human bowling (PSA: don’t try snapchatting yourself human bowling). We’ve had Nelly, T-Pain, Timeflies, Kellie Pickler, and Gloriana, and this year’s concert is sure to be awesome too (the bonus for members of CAB is that they get to meet the artists). In addition to Spring Day, CAB hosts events like a Bentley Amazing Race, Bentley Bingo, and a semi-annual Comedy Show, which are all accompanied by some good laughs and insane prizes (like the kid who took home a DRONE from Bentley Bingo).
The name of the game is to get yourself involved, especially considering that you’ll have a lot more free time in college than you did in high school. Wherever your passions lie, there’s almost certainly an organization that aligns with them, and if there isn’t then you can start one.
In the spirit of trying new things and pushing your comfort level a little to get involved, here’s another quote from my main man: “When life gives you lemonade, make lemons. Life will be all like, ‘What?!?!'” – Phil Dunphy
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