Involvement Fair showcases unique clubs on campus

As the new semester begins, Wednesday’s Involvement Fair, taking place on Trousdale Parkway from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. looks to help freshmen and returning students alike discover the exciting opportunities USC has to offer.

No matter where students are in their academic journey, USC offers over 850 clubs and organizations to fit all ranges of interests.

Rising musicians and singers have an array of options for their artistic skills. USC offers  nine different A capella groups for vocally talented students looking for a performance outlet. There are several coed groups including the SoCal Vocals, Troy Tones, UnderScore and Reverse Osmosis. Gender-based groups such as the Sirens and Trojan Men offer a different experience as well as the culturally based South Asian fusion Asli Baat, and the East Asian Trogons. USC even offers a Christian A capella group called Overflow, which focuses on developing spirituality through music. A capella enthusiasts have the opportunity to travel the country, perform with famous artists and even compete in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (think Pitch Perfect).

For students interested in other artistic avenues such as acting, dance and comedy, USC offers a plethora of different clubs for the humorous and dramatic. Clubs such as Commedus Interruptus, Second Nature and Spoiler Alert practice improvisational comedy, often performing right on campus.

For the thespians of USC, Brand New Theater and Cardinal Theater Production are just two options for an experience with student-run productions, showing the campus the beauty of the spoken and acted arts.

Dance organizations run rampant amid the campus, developing and honing the skills of both beginners and experienced dancers. Mainstream genres, such as hip-hop welcome students to practice and perform with groups such as Break Through Hip Hop and Off the Grid dance team.

USC also offers an array of international dance genres such as the Latin and ballroom dance team USC Zeher, Bollywood dance, and even a Capoiera Club, which introduces a beautiful and powerful form of Brazilian dance infused with martial arts.

Political and social service is also a common interest of students at USC. With an exceptional focus on social and civic improvement, USC offers many organizations that can help students make a difference, not only in Los Angeles, but all across the world.

USC PAWS is an organization perfect for animal lovers. Members volunteer with various shelters and groups who foster care and passion for all living things.

Other service organizations focus on the community surrounding USC such as Food Recovery Network that collects surplus food from restaurants in order to feed the homeless at the nearby shelters and help fight poverty and food waste.

Globally, students can impact others through USC’s far-reaching social service clubs. GlobeMed works by empowering students to change the state of global health equity and world poverty. I AM THAT GIRL is another organization that hopes to create a global output of positive self-image dialogue for young girls.

For students who desire a faith-oriented experience, USC offers organizations for every religion (or non-religion). The InterFaith Council fosters an open dialogue for members to share their experience with their own spirituality, or lack thereof.

Some students desire to be more directly involved with their own faith community. The Caruso Catholic Center offers a church where Catholic students can participate in mass, service and discussion that builds their community. Down the block from the Catholic Center is USC Hillel, a place for students of the Jewish faith to worship and gather. USC also offers organizations and place of worship for many other faiths including Islam, Wicca, Hindu and the non-religious.

Though USC is known for its outstanding athletic excellence with its high division teams, there is no need to be a full-time college athlete in order to participate in sports on campus. USC offers beginner and intramural sports for all athletic interests. Traditional sports such as volleyball, softball and soccer are always popular club options, but there are far more recreational clubs to explore. USC offers climbing club, cricket, martial arts and even a Quidditch organization that involves full contact and full fun.

No matter what the interest or level of experience, USC is full of diverse, dynamic and life-changing organizations that help support its vibrant student life. Students can learn more about these organizations — and many others — throughout Welcome Week from the representatives and booths that will be present on campus.