Across Oakland University’s campus, there is an abundance of clubs and organizations students may pursue. From creative clubs, academic clubs, sports clubs and many more, OU is home to over 300 student organizations — all organizations are managed by one office, the Office for Student Involvement (OSI).
The OSI is in charge of managing, supporting and training each club to learn and follow OU’s rules and creating a system of procedures all clubs must abide by.
The OSI is primarily run by young adults — as many student workers run the front desk, answer the phones and are there to answer any questions students may have about joining student organizations. Tiana and Briana Chapman, twins who work the front desk at the OSI, explain what their jobs entail.
“We work at the desk here at the OSI,” Tiana said. “We just answer emails and phone calls, sort out packages and guide people into what clubs or organizations they’re interested in.”
Briana added to their list of responsibilities, explaining student office workers in the OSI also help with organizing events and with the Golden Grizzlies Pantry.
“I will also say that a lot of people do ask about the Golden Grizzlies,” Briana said. “We now have perishable items as well. So, we have a fridge back there now.”
Briana explained the OSI’s purpose in her own words.
“We try to guide students in the right direction to make sure Oakland is a great community as a whole,” Briana said. “We try to help them find their people basically. With all of the organizations we have, we can help them find a community to be a part of and not feel so alone in college, and if you find an organization that speaks to you, then you find forever friends and family that way.”
When students go into the OSI, they are likely there to ask a question. The twins spoke about the questions they are usually asked.
“I would say quite a few people come here to ask questions, but a lot of people mainly ask questions during phone calls,” Tiana said. “If they are asking questions to the office, they usually ask questions like where’s the bookstore, or how do we start an organization. Then we also have free stamps, so people ask for stamps as well.”
According to Briana, the two most asked questions are how to become more involved with organizations and how to start a club. Briana also includes the runner-up top questions.
“Do we have discounted tickets at the service window, or will you guys have certain plays or concerts at a discounted price [are common questions],” Briana said. “Most of the questions are about locations, like where are certain classrooms or the bookstore.”
Students with questions about the OSI or those who would like to learn more about its services can visit the office in the basement of the Oakland Center in room 49 or email [email protected].
