Get Involved and Finding Your Community
At Rackham
Graduate Rackham International (GRIN)
GRIN is a student-run organization that aims to provide support for all international graduate students at the University of Michigan. Their goal is to establish a diverse and inclusive community, while providing international students with tools to grow professionally and personally. Avenues to achieve this vision include mentorship programs, social, and professional events.
Rackham Student Government (RSG)
Established in 1954, Rackham Student Government is the elected body representing the needs and concerns of the 8,300+ graduate students enrolled in Rackham Graduate School. RSG meets the needs of its constituents in three principal ways:
- By representing the concerns and interests of Rackham students to the university administration;
- By providing funding for graduate student organizations and events; and
- By appointing graduate student representatives to the committees which oversee both the university and Rackham.
For meeting minutes, election information, and more, visit the website. You can email the Rackham Student Government at [email protected].
Students of Color of Rackham (SCOR)
SCOR is a network for Rackham graduate and professional students at the University of Michigan. SCOR is dedicated to the social, cultural, and academic well-being of students of color of African, Asian, Latino, and Native American descent, and also welcomes students of other cultures, ethnicities, and international origins. SCOR promotes, supports, and sponsors efforts to enhance and improve the quality of our students’ academic, professional, and social lives, respectful of cultural, disability, gender, and sexual orientation.
Community Group Connections
Join one of Rackham’s listservs to learn about opportunities to connect and engage with the communities listed below. You may want to sign-up for one of Rackham’s email groups to connect with other grad students around campus. Email Professional and Academic Development at [email protected] with the group(s) you’d like to join.
- Graduate Students With Children: For those with children or who are planning on becoming parents while in grad school. There is also a Rackham Grad Parents Facebook group you can join and many opportunities for community with partner organizations like CEW+ and MCaSP.
- Non-Traditional Graduate Students: For those who have taken time away before pursuing graduate study.
- First-Generation Graduate Students: For those who are the first generation in their family to attend graduate school.
- LGBTQIA2S+ Students: For those who identify as part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and/or two-spirit community.
- Students with Disabilities: This listserv is for Rackham students, staff with disabilities, and allies to receive updates on programs, initiatives, and information relating to disability at the University of Michigan.
Rackham Workshops and Events
Rackham sponsors numerous social events, professional and academic development workshops, health and wellness activities, and other programming throughout the year. Visit the calendar to explore upcoming events.
Rackham Interdisciplinary Workshops
Rackham sponsors an ongoing program of interdisciplinary graduate student and faculty workshops. The groups are self-organized by the participants, have an ongoing core membership, and meet regularly throughout the academic year.
Rackham Program in Public Scholarship
The Rackham Program in Public Scholarship helps University of Michigan graduate students develop collaborative projects with community partners that address real-world challenges and enhance students’ professional development.
At U-M
Happening @ Michigan
Visit the University of Michigan Events Calendar to browse and search for events happening throughout campus. The calendar system is full of events sponsored by registered student organizations and University departments, including lectures, exhibits, performances, social gatherings, films, and more.
Student Organizations
The over 1000 student organizations at U-M provide an excellent way to meet people, find others with common interests, backgrounds and/or goals, and get involved in the community. Maize Pages is the University of Michigan’s online directory of student organizations. You can use Maize Pages to find a complete list of student organizations and their contact information. For a listing of organizations and associations specifically for international students, see the International Center’s website.
Most student organizations recruit new members through “mass meetings” at the beginning of each term. In addition, Festifall, which is held during the first week of school on the Diag, and Winterfest, which occurs during the month of January in the Michigan Union, provide an opportunity for you to meet the members of groups in which you are interested. Visit the Center for Campus Involvement website to find details of these events and other opportunities to get involved on campus.
Graduate Employees Organization (GEO)
The Graduate Employees Organization is the union that represents approximately 1,600 Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) and Graduate Student Staff Assistants (GSSAs) at the University of Michigan. It is one of 13 graduate employee unions in the United States and the second oldest in the country.
University Unions
University Unions is an organization within the Division of Student Affairs offering a variety of services, programs and opportunities for student involvement in the Michigan Union and Michigan League on Central Campus and Pierpont Commons on North Campus. The Unions help connect students, staff, faculty, and guests to places where you can meet friends, attend events, grab food, get computer time, study, and more. Many student organizations operate out of the Unions, making them a constant hub of activity. Explore the website to discover all of the amenities, programming, activities, and services available in the University Unions.
Volunteering and Service Learning
There are a number of opportunities to connect with, build, and sustain meaningful service opportunities in Ann Arbor and local areas. Whether you are interested in volunteering with your friends or in meeting new people with similar interests, participating in community service activities is a great way to get involved and have some fun.
The Ginsberg Center
The Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning offers several opportunities to learn while serving in the community, as well as a multitude of resources. The Ginsberg Center’s list of over 60 general Service Opportunities helps students find projects sorted by issue areas such as Arts and Culture and Social Justice and Public Policy.
Maize Pages lists registered student organizations on campus, and can be sorted by organizations with a Service/Service Learning focus.