Earlier this week, Oakland University’s student organizations came to Elliot Tower to showcase the best of their clubs at GrizzFest. You may have stopped by to check out a few clubs and organizations, and along the way, a couple may have caught your eye: images of mini American flags being passed out, the colors red, white and blue and voices of students talking about their experiences with activism may be stuck in your mind and you begin to wonder how you can join in on the fun as well. 

Is there pressing issue on campus that you can’t seem to get over? Something that causes you to toss and turn at night due to the feelings of hopelessness in resolving the issue? 

There are many ways students can advocate for themselves and express their own political interests on campus. Oakland University provides an array of political organizations that can help students not only become involved on campus but can also help them network and create connections in the political world.

College Republicans

For those who align with the Republican Party, College Republicans may be calling your name.

“Being a member of OU’s College Republicans allows students to meet other like-minded students they’re able to have intellectual conversations with,” Vice President Angelina Eleas said. 

To Eleas and other members, the organization allows students to become informed about the Republican Party and its necessity to American politics. Through monthly events and board meetings, students can form connections to politicians, government officials and interns who have experience in the field.

“Since all of our board members have some sort of political background and knowledge on politics in America, we are all able to work together in accommodating our members and making sure everyone learns something from our meetings,” Eleas said. 

Oakland’s College Republican organization is one of many on-campus Republican programs that are offered at universities across the state of Michigan, making advocating “much easier and much more important,” according to Eleas.

“There is nothing to lose from trying something new, and we are welcoming to all college students! We work hard as a board, and we always try to keep up with any news we hear in politics in order to make sure we’re consistent in our morals as a party,” Eleas said. “Politics affects everything around us, and being involved at a young age allows us to build a future we are proud of that is rooted in traditional values and educated citizens of our great country!”

Eleas is currently working for the 2025-2026 John James for MI Governor Campaign, serving as the Political Outreach and Financial Affairs Assistant.

For more information regarding College Republicans, you can find them on Grizzorgs or on Instagram.

College Democrats of Oakland University

For those who align themselves with the Democratic Party, College Democrats of Oakland University (CDOU) is a great way to meet others with the same beliefs and network in the political party.

“Serving as Vice President of this organization has provided me with the opportunity to advocate for issues that are important to me and the greater student body,” Vice President Marion Brumer said. ” The bulk of the advocacy our club takes part in manifests in the form of programming, where we either host panels to educate the student body on relevant issues or create events that allow students to inform their elected officials of things that are important to them.”

Last year, CDOU hosted a panel in which elected women serving various roles in office discussed their personal experiences with politics. Their anecdotes displayed the significance of having representation in our government.

Their first meeting will take place on Sept. 12 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. with their Speed-friending event as a way to quickly meet new people with similar interests.

You can find more information regarding the organization on their page at Grizzorgs.com or by joining their Discord account.

Oakland University Student Congress

If there are pressing issues on campus that you feel the urgency to advocate for, Oakland University’s Student Congress serves as a platform to raise your voice and spread awareness. 

“Being involved in Student Congress gives students a direct line to shaping their college experience,” OUSC President Marcus Johnson said. “You don’t just sit in a room and talk policy, you learn how to work with administrators, advocate for resources, and represent student voices that might otherwise get overlooked. It’s a crash course in leadership, communication, and accountability that sticks with you long after graduation.”

Johnson has served in OUSC since 2023 and recently won the role as President alongside Vice President Nia Matthews in April. 

Johnson also believes that the environment allows you to understand and work on cooperating with people you may disagree with “in the interest of serving a purpose that’s higher than yourself.”

According to Johnson, OUSC is an effective way to help resolve concerns on campus by actively taking action.

“Whether that’s maintaining programs like the free menstrual product access, working with the provost to develop a midterm grade policy, or making sure diversity and inclusion stay a priority on campus, Congress has been a platform to take student needs and fight to make them real. I like to think of it as advocacy with teeth because you can see the impact that you’re pushing for,” Johnson said.

“Don’t wait for permission. You don’t need to already be an expert or hold a title to make a difference. Show up, speak up, and push for change, because the people who make the most impact on campus are usually the ones who decided they weren’t going to sit on the sidelines,” Johnson said when asked his biggest piece of advice for those who want to exercise their rights as a student on campus.

General Body Meetings are held every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

More information about OUSC can be found on their page at Grizzorgs.com or on their official Instagram page.

Pi Sigma Alpha

Pi Sigma Alpha is the national honor society for political science students, with origins tracing back all the way back to 1920. 

There are certain requirements established by the national organization that must be met before being considered for a membership: students, either graduate or upper level undergraduate, must have political science or public administration declared as a major or minor, having completed a minimum of 12 of those credits at Oakland University. In addition, students must at least be a junior with an overall GPA of at least 3.0.

Regardless of these requirements, most events are open to the public, such as their career panels and member meetings.

“We focus on career development for OU students who are interested in political science. It’s really nice meeting other students within my major, since I study International Relations,” Vice President Mallory Waligora said. 

Waligora joined Pi Sigma Alpha during her sophomore year of Oakland University and joined the executive board as Vice President this fall as a senior.

“It’s really nice coming into a new class and already knowing a few students thanks to the Pi Sigma Alpha events I attended earlier — it really creates a nice community.”

Another thing that Waligora appreciates about Pi Sigma Alpha is the ability to network within the honor society.

“A lot of students are currently in internships or have completed some, so it’s helpful to ask around and see how other students are getting involved locally,” Waligora said.

More information can be found on Grizzorgs or on their official Instagram page.

Model United Nations Club

You may not be concerned about issues regarding our campus, but issues regarding countries and communities around the globe is something that you feel passionate about. 

Model UN allows students to exercise their minds as they work to represent countries and solve complex issues that reflect the current state of the world. 

With two nationwide Model UN conferences every year, members work together to help resolve issues, preparing them for the challenges they may face in the future of international relations.

More information about the club can be found on their page on Grizzorgs or their official Instagram page.

News sources

As a reporter and editor for politics at The Oakland Post, relying on credible news sources is essential to obtaining reliable information regarding our government or any type of news. Viewing information from government announcements, official organizations, educational websites with research-backed information and nonpartisan news sites can help you gain your footing in the complex yet enticing political world.

In addition, whether you find yourself interested in politics or it may sound like something that doesn’t involve you, the truth is that politics involves everyone, everywhere and at all times.

Staying in the loop about what is occurring politically in the country may seem dreadful, but when consumed in moderation, it can heavily benefit you on how you can make a difference in your life and community. Following reliable news sites can assure you of the vital decisions currently being made in your local and national government.

Take advantage of the diverse environment you’re in and utilize that to expand your horizons. College will be one of the most eye-opening experiences if you allow it to be. Students and professors come from all walks of life, and with that they bring their own experiences and morals. Using the time that you have in university to gain different perspectives can provide you with knowledge that no education can buy.