It’s that time of year again. The start of a new school year brings with it new faces and new initiatives to be started. There is nothing more important than creating and fostering positive relationships with students, administration, and the community.
Creative student leaders don’t wait for a budget to begin these initiatives on campus. There are plenty of new and exciting campus initiatives to begin with that are free. Ideas are plentiful for the creative minds.
Student Discount Program
Student discount programs are one of the best ways you can connect your campus with the community. The majority of students are on a tight budget and discounts within the community are a perfect way to accommodate. Not only is a program like this benefiting the students, but it supports the local community by exposing new faces and income to their business. It’s as easy as walking into a local business and offering to promote their business all over campus in exchange for a student discount. You would be amazed at how generous some of the business’s are willing to be.
Free Move-in Day Help
Move in day is a big day for students in the residence halls. Anyone on campus that has experienced it already knows how chaotic move in day can be. Lending a helping hand to new students and families is great way to make them feel at home on campus, while giving your organization the chance to answer any questions they may have.
Connect with Local Nonprofits For Volunteer Work
Student Government has the unique opportunity to set the tone for student life and engagement at your university. The vibe SGA gives off at the beginning of the semester holds more weight than you may be aware of. The collective attitude of your organization has a tremendous influence on the overall culture of campus life. Starting the year off inspired and committed to service will have an infectious influence on the new and returning students around you.
Consider kicking the year off on a self-less, service oriented note. Taking time to organize a service based event that empowers you and your team to have a positive impact in your surrounding community will motivate your team and remind them of your shared purpose: service to others.
Navigational Assistance Around Campus
There are some big campuses around the US, and while this has some major benefits, that doesn’t mean navigating campus will be easy. Offering escorts and guidance to first time students learning their way is a big deal for a lot of people.
Safety Night Escorts
Campuses can be a whole new adventure at night and when campuses do everything in their power to ensure a safe environment, everybody wins. It is always a good idea to help escort students to their destination.
Class Escorts
No one wants to be late for the first day of class and when some campuses are big enough to have bus systems, getting to class can be an adventure in itself.
Staff vs Student Leader Competitions
If you’re a student affairs professional, you know how easily your calendar can fill up; and if you are a student leader, you know how difficult it can be to be squeezed into a staff members calendar. Coordinating with university staff to put on a staff vs student leader event can be a great way to form relationships, interact, and get to know each other better. It helps both sides work better together when they know who they’re dealing with.
Great relationships can be formed, and semesters can have new and exciting campus initiatives start immediately, even without a budget. Mix a little bit of creativity with a great group of student leaders and start finding potential in new students, campus staff, and the community.
