One of the best ways to quench that thirst for adventure is to team up with other Griz and join one...
Pacific Islanders Club
Written by Anna Weishaar
Are you looking for ways to make friends, hone your skills, help your community and learn something new? Join the club! No really, join a club! UM offers a myriad of student clubs and organizations you can enter to get involved. Joining a club is easy and has many benefits. You can meet cool people with similar interests and find fast friends. Or lean into your adventurous side by stepping out of your comfort zone to try something new. And plenty of clubs allow you to roll up your sleeves and help the community.
Find the Right Club for You
University clubs are a big part of student life, and we want to make the process seamless for you. Here are some ways you can go about researching and joining student organizations:
Grizhub
GrizHub is your go-to spot to view clubs and societies, read about what each offer, find club social media pages and look for club contact information.
ASUM
You can find ASUM (The Associated Students of the University of Montana) on the first floor of the UC to ask about clubs, ask about creating your club and ask questions before making a decision.
WelcomeFeast
WelcomeFeast happens annually during fall semester and is a way to greet new Grizzlies on our campus. During WelcomeFeast, you can find hundreds of tables around The Oval with UM-affiliated clubs. You can ask questions, see what’s offered, sign up for clubs and enjoy free food.
Ask your department
If you’re interested in joining a club related to your major, ask someone in your department if they sponsor a club you can join.
Forestry Club
Some of UM’s Most Attended Clubs
Zoo Crew
This is THE club to join for a Griz fan! There’s a small fee to become a member, though once you’ve joined, your membership includes early access to sporting events, seats up front, Griz-Cat football tickets before other students, apparel, rewards and gratification knowing you’re a loud and proud Grizzly. You can sign up HERE and follow Zoo Crew on Instagram @montanazoocrew.
Forestry Club
The Forestry Club is big here on campus! This is the perfect club to join if you want to learn more about the forestry industry, get outside or do hands-on learning. The Forestry Club opens you to many opportunities and events, such as the centuries-old tradition of the Foresters’ Ball. If you’d like to see pictures from past events, follow the club on Instagram @uofmforestryclub.
Pacific Islander’s Club
The Pacific Islander’s Club is a fun, unique and inclusive club. They celebrate and promote Pacific Islander cultures, build awareness and educate students both in the club and around campus. You can learn languages, songs, dance, history, arts and crafts. Two examples are making leis and Hula dancing. If you want to see past photos and events, follow them on Instagram @pacificislandersclubofmissoula.
Criminology Club
If you’re interested in criminology and want to connect and learn from professionals in this field, this is the club for you. If you join, you can expect to do community service, run fundraisers and tour the Montana State Prison and Montana State Crime Lab. You can follow them on Instagram @umcriminologyclub.
Society of Physics Students
The Society of Physics Students takes a step out of the classroom and allows for an extended range of skills, including communications, building and fostering relationships, leadership experience, and outreach services to the local community. This society has a handful of fun events, including dodgeball tournaments and club trips.
Zoo Crew
Other Inviting Clubs at UM
Medieval Combat Society
Medieval Combat Society provides an inclusive and exciting place where students learn lore, crafting, and character-building while combating others with foam weapons. It is a physically empowering club that welcomes any and everyone and encourages freedom of expression. You can follow the Medieval Combat Society on Facebook, and you can look HERE to learn more about the Belegarth Medieval Combat Society.
Artist Collective
Join this community of artists if you are interested in opportunities to create, show and sell art. You can also find like-minded people and learn from and collaborate with others and build community. Recently, Artist Collective tackled a project where they put affordable local art in a vending machine in the School of Visual and Media Arts.
Telemark Skiing Club
Telemark Skiing is a unique club that aims to teach younger generations the joy of telemark skiing! For those who don’t know, telemark skiing involves only toe bindings and using the back foot to balance while the front foot carves and turns as you race down the mountain. They provide loaner gear and offer private lessons to those interested. Check out their cool pics on Instagram @umontana_telemark.
Artists Collective
Join a Student Club Today!
UM offers unique and inspiring clubs and societies to join. From Bugs to Birding and Chemistry to German, there’s something for everyone. We encourage you to check out GrizHub or walk around at WelcomeFeast to explore your options. Not finding what you’re looking for? You can go to ASUM on the first floor of the UC to find out more about student clubs or start your own!
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Anna Weishaar graduated from the University of Montana in 2018 with a degree in Creative Writing. She currently works as the Marketing Coordinator for the MCEE department. During undergrad, Anna attended a few French club meetings and enjoyed speaking with classmates and learning about the culture.
