Pathfinders
The UAB Pathfinders are a group of upperclassman peer mentors who can connect you to involvement and leadership opportunities on campus. Pathfinders can meet with you one-on-one (virtually or in-person) to match your interests to student organizations and campus opportunities!
Schedule an Appointment:
Connect with a UAB Pathfinder by requesting an Involvement Consultation. Click here to schedule a meeting with them!
A Pathfinder will contact you to confirm your meeting time and location. While appointments are encourage, they are not required. Stop by the Student Involvement & Leadership Office (HSC 230) Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:00pm.
Blaze Your Way Involvement Matching Quiz
This inventory uses your interests to match you with involvement opportunities on campus. Completing the quiz takes less than 15 minutes!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Fraternity & Sorority Life
Fraternity & Sorority Life Is there a minimum GPA requirement to join a fraternity or sorority? Each chapter has their own GPA requirement, but all require their members to be in good academic standing with a 2.0 or higher. You can visit individual chapter websites to review specific criteria by visiting the Fraternity & Sorority Life website How much does it cost to join a fraternity or sorority? The cost of membership in a fraternity and sorority varies depending on the council and organization. The new member semester (the semester you initiate) is typically the costliest due to new member fees and costs associated with initiation. Many chapters have payment plans that allow members to pay once a semester or smaller amounts on a monthly basis depending on their needs and current financial situation. Many chapters publish their dues and financial information on their website. This is also an appropriate topic to ask about during the recruitment/intake process. Can I join a fraternity or sorority as a freshman? Each council and chapter has their own membership criteria that you can review on the Fraternity & Sorority Life website, but the College Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council do allow first-time freshmen to join their organizations. -
Leadership & Service
Leadership & Service How do I join a student organization? UAB has a variety of student organizations that fit a multitude of interests. If you’re interested in joining a student organization, there are a few ways to initially connect to share your interest. The best way to initially connect is through Engage. Here you can use the “organizations” tab at the top of the screen to search for organizations that interest you (use the categories filter to narrow down your search). Once you find an organization of interest, use the contact button to share your interest in joining their organizations. In addition to contacting the organization through Engage, you can also work with a UAB Pathfinder to connect with an org. If you’d like to set up a consultation with a Pathfinder, use the “forms” tab on Engage to set up a meeting time Can I start a new student organization? Sure you can. Student organization registration is open July 1st through September 30th. To start an organization you need:
1. 5 UAB student-members,
2. A constitution which includes the non-discrimination clause,
3. A UAB faculty/staff advisor, and
4. A name that aligns with UAB’s branding guidelines.
All of this information and instructions for how-to register can be found on our website under the “Student Organizations” tab. You can also schedule a meeting with a UAB Pathfinder to walk through the process.Should first-semester freshman join student organizations? I don’t want to be over committed. It is normal to be concerned about balancing involvement alongside your academics, making new friends, student employment, etc. However, involvement can be a healthy way for you to create time management strategies and make UAB feel more like home. We encourage freshman students to get involved in ways that they feel comfortable – that can mean joining an organization (we advise that you do not join more than 3, pick ones you’re passionate about), you may also decide to simply attend campus events or participate in community service as an involvement outlet. Involvement can be achieved by being an active participant in your campus community; it doesn’t always require that you become a member of a student org. Visit Engage to see a list of campus events and service opportunities. These are great ways to get involved without the on-going commitment of organizational membership. -
Student Activities
Student Activities What is the Blazer Way? The Blazer Way is the University’s creed that expresses values and tenets that we encourage all members of the UAB community to live by. The creed tenets are diversity, service, scholarship, innovation, and honor & integrity. We strive to embed these tenets in all our events and highlight the Blazer Way throughout the year including during Creed Week hosted during the Spring semester. What are some of the campus traditions? While UAB is still a young institution, we offer a variety of events that promote school pride through our spirit weeks including Homecoming, Creed Week, and Grad Weeks (for graduates). We also have other annual events/initiatives such as Blazer Welcome, UAB’s Got Talent, BlazerCon, and International Festival along with other events hosted by other departments and organizations. We encourage new students to check out our list of things that every Blazer should so and events that you should attend. (Traditions list) How can new students get involved in leadership experiences during their first year? There are various opportunities to get involved including the First Impact Program, which is an introductory leadership experience for freshman and new transfer students. This small cohort of students will be assigned to one of five SIL organizations (Blazer Spirit Council, Good Games UAB, Leadership & Service Council, Serve205, and University Programs Board) for an engaging leadership and mentorship experience. Interested students may apply between May 20-August 1 here. If you’d rather participate with a lower commitment, BSC, UPB, and gg.UAB have general body member opportunities for all students. General body members volunteer at events and attend one meeting a month where they get to share their ideas and feedback. How do I get involved in the Miss UAB Competition? Any student who identifies as a woman between the age of 18-25 with a minimum 2.5 GPA can participate in the competition. The Miss UAB Scholarship Competition is a preliminary of the Miss Alabama and Miss America Organizations that provides scholarships and leadership development for students. Miss UAB is crowned during the Fall semester and serves for one year as well as competes in the Miss Alabama Competition in June. Miss UAB host several activities connected to her social impact initiative and participates in various campus and community events. To know more click here. What if I don’t want to join an organization during my first year? Are there still ways to meet new people and experience campus life? Absolutely! SIL hosts a variety of events throughout the year where you can connect with other students, faculty, and staff. We have something for everyone. If you’re a gamer, check out WelcomeCon and gg.Fridays hosted by Good Games UAB. The University Programs Board and Blazer Spirit Council also host engaging events that allow you to interact with others as well as compete for scholarships and prizes if you’re competitive. Are any of the Blazer Welcome events required for new students? Blazer Welcome provides new students with the tools and resources needed to be successful during their time at UAB. While participation in Blazer Welcome is not required for new and transfer students, individuals who participate in Blazer Welcome are more likely to return to college following their first semester compared to individuals who did not participate. Additionally, students who participate in Blazer Welcome earned a higher GPA than students who chose not to participate in the programs and resources offered during the first four weeks.