UNC Wilmington currently has over 130 clubs and organizations around campus that can be divided into the SGA, sports clubs and the Greek system.

Campus Activities coordinator Shannon Hooker said, "I really encourage students to get involved in the clubs and organizations around campus because it's a good opportunity to meet different people, develop leadership skills and market the skills that you already have."

The involvement opportunities range from fraternities and sororities to honoraries and religious organizations. Nearly half of the student body is involved in at least one organization on campus. "I think that joining student organizations on campus is good because they are student lead and implemented which helps the students develop time management skills and form long lasting friendships," Sports Clubs Adviser Jean Ostrander said. The SGA handles clubs and organizations that are registered through campus activities. This mostly includes academic, honorary, and service organizations. The Biology club and the Biology graduate organization are a couple of the largest academic clubs at UNCW. The SGA gets allotted a certain amount of money each year to divide between the clubs on campus. This year they have received $392,625, which is about $45 per full time student fee. In order to receive money from the SGA the group must fill out a budget request. "Creating clubs and keeping them active on campus is a learning process," SGA ccounting supervisor Peggy Hendrix said. "By following the process and filling out the paperwork, students learn budgeting and how to spend money responsibly; which businesses will look very highly upon in the future." Some of the money that the SGA is allotted goes to the sports clubs, but the Greek organizations are self-funded. There are twelve sports clubs that can be a combination of recreational, instructional and/or competitive areas. The three largest are the sailing club, the water-ski and wake-board club and the rowing club. "Sports clubs allow the students to be a part of a team," Ostrander said. This year the sports clubs are expected to get about $4 on every full time students fees, which will be just under $35,000 for the 2001/2002 academic year. Many of the sports clubs are self-funded. "The best thing about campus organizations is that if UNCW doesn't have a club that fits their needs, the students can create one for their own specific interest," Hooker said. "This past year UNCW started a pre-veterinary club and I have really enjoyed being a member," senior Jenifre Preston said. Every year Campus Activities holds an Involvement Carnival to introduce freshmen to the organizations on campus. There are generally over 2500 students involved in the carnival and over 200 tables and booths. The date for this year's involvement carnival is Aug. 29. For more information about how to get involved in campus organizations visit the Activities and Leadership Center in UU 214 or call them at 962-3877.