Resources
When deciding on a group to join, self-reflection is key. Here are some questions that are useful to ask yourself:
- What are my motivations for joining this group?
- What do I hope to get out of it?
- How do the values of the group align with my personal values?
- How will the group add to my experience on campus? (ex: could it provide me with new skills, connections, or opportunities?)
- How might membership in this group detract from my experience on campus? (ex: will the time commitment take away from my other interests?)
- Does this group have a history of conduct violations (hazing, alcohol-related, or other)? Can I find this information on an institutional website?
- Are there reports about this organization in the media? If so, are they consistent with information I’ve found on an institutional website?
It is important to weigh both the pros and the cons of joining any group. You can also use peers and other students as resources! If there are current members that you know and trust, ask them about their experience in the group. What was the process to join like? Did they feel welcome and safe throughout the process of joining? What did it entail? Getting clarity on what is expected of you as a new member can be key in your decision of whether or not to join.
National Sites:
On-Campus:
- Campus Assistance & Resources for Empowerment
- Counseling and Wellness Center
- Gatorwell
- Office of Victim Services
- Sorority and Fraternity Life
- Student Engagement
- Student Government
- University of Florida Police Department
Local Resources:
- Alachua County Crisis Center
- Alachua County Victims Services and Rape Crisis Center
- Local Alumni Chapters