Enhancing Student Safety and Engagement: The Role of Awareness Clubs at the University of Miami
The University of Miami (UM) offers a vibrant and diverse environment for students, with a multitude of opportunities for engagement and personal growth. Student organizations and governance bodies are important adjuncts to the academic life of the University. Among these opportunities, student-led organizations play a crucial role in fostering a safe and supportive campus community. This article explores the significance of student safety awareness clubs at UM, highlighting their activities, resources, and impact on student well-being.
Fostering a Thriving Student Community
The Center for Student Engagement, Activities, and Leadership serves as a cornerstone for student organizations at UM. It provides a platform for student organizations at Miami University to access resources, funding, and recognition for their impactful initiatives. The center offers guidance on organizational strategies, event planning, or member engagement, ensuring that student-led initiatives are well-informed and effective. Furthermore, the center provides tailored workshops and training sessions designed to enhance leadership, communication, and project management skills. Access templates, guidelines, and best practices that have been curated to streamline administrative processes. Financial resources are crucial for bringing an organization's ideas to life, and the center assists student organizations at Miami University in understanding and adhering to campus policies, ensuring compliance and smooth operation.
Registration and Event Planning
Student groups may be formed to engage in activities related to the academic, recreational, and social programs of the University. Registration of student organizations is an annual process that must be completed at the beginning of each fall semester and is submitted through the Hub. This process takes five to 10 minutes to complete. This policy applies to all Campus Events hosted by Sponsoring Organizations on campus. For purposes of this policy, a Campus Event is any planned gathering including but not limited to celebrations, dances, lectures, forums, performances, demonstrations, social gatherings, concerts, speaker presentations, and conferences that meet the criteria set forth in this policy.
Student organizations must navigate event planning with careful consideration of university policies and risk management. The insurance agreement for student organization events provides liability and protection for bodily injury and property damage for basic student events. Non-covered activities are detailed on the Event Form on the Hub. The student organization will then choose from the list of activities to indicate the types of activities to be held during the event. This information will be used to assess risk beyond the level covered by the Student Event Umbrella policy. Once the form is complete and submitted, the Student Activities Administrative Assistant will review the event. Any activities chosen will prompt the Student Activities Administrative Assistant to notify the Assistant Director for Student Organizations. For items on the above excluded coverage list, a certificate of insurance naming Miami University as an additional insured, or additional insurance will be required. The Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Services’ office will work with Student Activities and/or the student organization and the Program Administrator to attempt to secure insurance for the student organization.
Guidelines for Specific Activities
Student organizations planning specific activities, such as film screenings or food service, must adhere to additional guidelines. The screening is being made purely for entertainment purposes, e.g. The copy of the film being performed must be lawfully obtained, which could include using a copy that was purchased by the University, the student group, the academic department, or one that is obtained through the library. Under no circumstances should a film that has not been lawfully obtained be used. Complete the application for a “License to Conduct a Temporary Food Service Operation” for each time you plan to operate. Submit a check request through BuyWay for a “License to Conduct a Temporary Food Service Operation.” Student organization’s treasurer will need to upload the application for temporary food service license. Take your applications and check, made payable to the Butler County Health Department, to their office at 301 S. Third St., Hamilton OH 45011. On the day(s) of your event, you must pass an on-site health inspection by a county inspector in order to be issued your license and operate your food service.
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While the University generally supports the fund-raising efforts of its registered student organizations, the legal complexities of definition, methodology, and distribution of monies associated with schemes or games of chance such as raffles, bingo, poker, or other similar activities necessitate the University’s prohibition of such activities in conjunction with its student organizations. A game of chance is any event where a player gives anything of value in hope of gain where the outcome of which is determined largely by chance. Student organizations are prohibited from distributing cash prizes. Student organizations traveling off campus are required to complete the Student Organization Travel Form. The form includes many travel recommendations and best practices for student organization travel. While transit bus stops may be available at some locations, the University prefers and suggests that charter services consider loading/unloading at alternate locations such as Ditmer (4945 Oxford-Trenton Rd.), Chestnut Fields (101 W. Chestnut St.), or Millet Hall West (500 E. Miami University, along with the Inter-University Council of Ohio, has entered into a vehicle rental contract with Enterprise/National for business rentals. This contract allows students 18 and older to rent vehicles through Enterprise/National. Sponsoring Organizations may reserve designated University Property for activities, including expressive activities.
Substance Awareness Club: A Beacon of Support
UM senior Luke Bell founded the Substance Awareness Club (SAC), an endeavor that had been in the works for nearly a year, following his own struggles with substance abuse. Through mentorship and rehabilitation, Bell got back on his feet and took charge of his life. The SAC has already hosted some impactful events in its short time as a club. “A tailgate at the stadium, club meetings and a trivia night with the Rat,” Bell said. On Substance Awareness Day, Aug. Along with being the club founder, he is also a mentor and considers himself an “older brother” to students who are looking to become sober. This summer, a worried father reached out to Bell concerning his son’s alcohol habits. Along with his on campus mentorship, Bell wants to reach a larger audience of people who are ready to get sober. Bell hopes the Substance Awareness Club can continue to inspire others and offer the support he once needed himself. “We take everyone, we’re an all inclusive club,” he said. “[Sobriety] is this whole thing that I’m stoked about. It’s like getting on a wave or hitting a golf club.
A Spectrum of Student Organizations
Ready to make an impact on campus, meet new people and find your niche? With more than 200 student organizations, it’s easy to get overwhelmed at the club fair during orientation. Social Greek life includes Panhellenic sororities and fraternities. UM uses a delayed rush system, meaning you cannot rush a sorority or fraternity until the spring semester of your freshman year. UM has eight sororities yet no sorority houses, instead offering each organization a suite where members can hang out in between classes. So, while sorority life is an amazing way to make new friends, it is also not overwhelming and doesn’t determine your living situation. Cultural Greek life is a vibrant community on campus. Pre-professional Greek life includes organizations that focus on specific career paths. UM offers many pre-professional organizations, from pre-med to business to architecture. It’s important to note that just 25% of the student population is involved in any form of Greek life.
Most UM students are not on track to become professional athletes. Club sports are a great opportunity to stay engaged if you played a sport competitively in high school and want to continue. Intramural sports are a more recreational, less competitive option. Teams compete with other teams in the UM community, offering sports such as soccer, football and pickleball. UMTV is UM’s Emmy award-winning television station. UMTV has eight different shows ranging from comedy to news and more. The Ibis Yearbook publishes a 400-page, award-winning book every year that captures campus events and student life. And, my personal favorite, The Miami Hurricane. TMH is UM’s student-run and award-winning newspaper with sections for News, Arts and Entertainment, Sports and Opinion. More than 350 South Floridians with special needs visited the University of Miami campus on Feb. 3 for a daylong event full of activities geared toward bridging the gap between students and their buddies. Service organizations encompass a broad variety of clubs dedicated to helping the community. Student government works to improve campus life through initiatives voted on by bodies of student representatives. Service organizations are a great way to make an impact and feel more connected to campus and the greater Miami community. From the Pickleball Club to the Video Game club, it’s easy to find organizations that match your specific interests and hobbies. Diving into extracurricular activities that you’re passionate about -- not just an activity that looks good on a resume - will make your experience at UM much more meaningful.
Spring Semester Activities and Engagement
With the first few days of the spring semester at the University of Miami underway, there already have been a slew of engaging activities for students to consider. Students can join more than 300 organizations that range from the University’s Marine Mammal Rescue Team to service clubs like Big Brothers, Big Sisters. There are groups that cater to fun hobbies like the Anime Club and sports like fencing. In addition, there are media outlets like The Miami Hurricane, UMTV, and WVUM radio. “There are plenty of things happening on campus that provide an opportunity for students to engage with one another and with the departments on campus, as well as to be involved with student organizations,” said Renée Dickens Callan, executive director of student life.
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While all in-person events must be held outdoors and follow safety precautions like wearing masks and physical distancing, dozens of student organizations successfully held programs throughout the fall semester, Callan said. She expects more will do so this spring, as students settle back into classes. She encourages student leaders to work with the Student Activities and Student Organizations (SASO) office, as well as the student-led Committee on Student Organizations (COSO) which can guide them through the process of planning a safe event during the pandemic. Greek Life organizations are also allowed to host events on campus, and they are required to follow the same guidelines outlined for all students and student organizations, said Steven K. “Our student organizations and student leaders are working with our staff to continue to find creative ways to engage with their fellow students in the spring semester,” said Patricia A. Ruhi Kabra, a senior neuroscience major and the chair of COSO, said she has been amazed at the novel ways that student organizations are adapting to the pandemic. She was impressed by Student Government’s ability to host fascinating virtual speakers in the fall, as well as Hurricane Productions’ events like Screens on the Greens, which offered outdoor films on the Foote Green about every two weeks (and will continue the viewings this spring semester). She has also been pleasantly surprised by students’ enthusiasm for founding new groups. Kerra Masso, chair of Hurricane Productions, said that her organization-which puts on free entertainment events like concerts and other fun activities for the University community-spent the summer brainstorming how it would continue to offer students the same type of experiences even with the pandemic protocols in place. “We recognize how important it is to engage with students on campus and to make connections, even during the pandemic,” said Masso, who added that the group is trying to offer in-person, virtual, and hybrid events to reach the widest audience possible.
Student leaders say there’s more to come. Next week Black Awareness Month begins and will include several events like a cookout and opening celebration on Friday at the Foote Green, a Black Art pop-up at the Lakeside Patio, and a day of service later in the month. There’s also the Spring Involvement Fair, which will be held virtually on Tuesday, Feb. This will be a chance for all students to learn more about the variety of clubs and organizations operating at the University and to get acquainted with some of their leaders. Pancakes with Pat is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. on the Intramural Fields.
Addressing the Dangers of Fentanyl
This campaign aims to provide University of Miami students with information about the dangers of fentanyl-laced drugs, actionable harm reduction tips, and support from their peers and University of Miami staff. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that drug traffickers mix into their product to make it last longer so they can make a greater profit. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than drugs like heroin and morphine and cannot be detected by sight, smell, or taste. Increasingly, fentanyl is being found in other commonly used drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription medications, such as Xanax and Adderall. The Sandler Center will be hosting Narcan trainings throughout the year, in collaboration with URecovery, Student Health, and F Fentanyl. All attendees will receive Narcan upon completion of the training. Though Narcan can reverse an opioid overdose, it is only a temporary solution. It is essential to get help from medical professionals. The University’s medical amnesty policy will protect the caller and the person requiring medical attention from a disciplinary record. Watch this video or review this quick-start guide to learn how to administer Narcan. Keep in mind, that it can take 2-3 minutes to start working. If the person doesn’t respond within 2-3 minutes, administer Narcan again. Narcan will not harm someone if given to them and they are not overdosing on an opioid. If the person has weak breathing or has stopped breathing, perform CPR. Have someone around that is not using drugs that can call for help in an emergency situation. Assume that any pill that is not directly from a pharmacy could contain fentanyl. Start with a small dose to test the strength. The only way to tell if your drugs contain fentanyl is to test your drugs.
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