Among the many decisions new and current University of Virginia students face at the start of the school year is deciding which clubs, organizations and groups to join. The process is both exciting and daunting.
UVA is home to more than 800 contracted independent organizations, referred to as “CIOs,” spanning nearly every interest on Grounds.
The fair allows students to use creative ways to advertise their organizations, such as wearing eye-catching costumes. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
These groups include 133 academic and pre-professional groups, 69 service-oriented groups, 64 club sports, 63 cultural organizations, 56 social and hobby clubs, 46 performing arts groups, 38 political organizations, 36 religious groups and 55 additional groups across different media, academic departments and Greek Life organizations.
While many CIOs center on student experience, many are also focused on giving back. The Clean Plate Project is a group dedicated to fighting hunger insecurity, providing nutritious, home-cooked meals for families at UVA Health Children’s.
Students carry different sports equipment. Many official University clubs feature athletic opportunities, including club and intramural sports. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
“I love cooking and was really looking for a volunteering organization,” second-year College of Arts & Sciences student Emma Hering said. “We cook bulk meals for families in need, which is heartwarming because these families don’t have the time to cook meals for themselves. They have loved ones at the hospital, which is not a great experience for anyone.”
Other organizations bring a unique twist to traditional preprofessional experiences. Business Ethics Society is a discussion-based group exploring topics ranging from AI safety and media ethics to wellness and sustainability.
During meetings, members begin with a question based on a collective prompt. They examine real cases, looking into specific companies, industries and current events to ground the conversation. They debate tradeoffs, then connect to actionable insights.
UVA students explore different options at the annual fair, bringing together hundreds of different organizations. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
“I joined this club my first year, and it’s been an amazing way to connect with other UVA students on ethics topics and have engaging and open conversations with them,” fourth-year McIntire School of Commerce student Leyla Ustun said.
“I’ve always wanted to do social entrepreneurship. One day, I want to start my own business and hopefully lead with ethics,” she said.
While some CIOs have been around for years, others are relatively new to Grounds. Keen at UVA is focused on creating a safe space for young adults and children with disabilities through physical activity.
Students display some of the stuffed animals they crocheted through their organization, Plushies for Patients. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
“This cause is very important to me because of my personal relations to it, and seeing the impact on families and children is a positive experience,” fourth-year College student Samia Khan said. Khan is the founder and president of Keen, and recently went through the CIO application process to bring the national organization to UVA students.
Some organizations seek experienced members through rigorous applications and interviews, while others focus on inclusion and community-building.
Plushies for Patients allows students to experiment with types of fabric arts to create stuffed animals and accessories for patients in need. Students of all skill levels are welcome.
The dodgeball team passes a ball around during the activities fair, highlighting their athletic and community-oriented focus. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
“Everything that we make is given back to the UVA hospital to patients in need,” third-year College student Rafferty Lee said. “We do a ground-up approach. If you want to learn crocheting, knitting or stitching, we’ll teach you until you are able to make a plushie.”
Lee is the founder and president of the club, which began two years ago after he came back from studying abroad.
“I started learning to crochet last year, and honestly, I just wanted a club that is very beginner-friendly, where people can learn together,” second-year School of Engineering and Applied Science student Safa Touri said. “It’s also a way for me to give back to my community. I’m on the pre-med track, and I wanted to get involved in a unique way.”
Sports have a large presence on Grounds. While more widely known ones include football and basketball, UVA also fosters a community around unique sports like dodgeball.
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