Student Leadership and Engagement educates and empowers students to be their most successful selves through developmental leadership opportunities in the co-curricular.
Schedule Digital Drop Ins with OSLE Staff
OSLE Drop Ins Appointment Slots
I have questions about… Hosting events on campus, programming, film rights, senior class things, program Board, lectures, outdoor gear and education. Late night programs, social media, Mac@nite, coffee and Twin Cities To-Do Lists. Email Logan at lschrader@macalester.edu or schedule a Digital Drop In.
Monday: 2:30–4 p.m. | Wednesday: 2:30–4 p.m. | Friday: 10 a.m.–noon
I have questions about… How to get involved on campus, campus collaborations, new student orientation, student org budgets, student org funding, student Org contracts, Yelp reviews, baby pics. Email Laurie at ladamson@macalester.edu or schedule a Digital Drop In.
Wednesday: 2–4 p.m. | Friday: 1–3 p.m.
I have questions about… New student orientation, planning virtual events, getting involved, starting a new org, drag race, podcasts, patterned button-up shirts. Email Margaret at msmith16@macalester.edu or schedule a Digital Drop In.
Tuesday: 1–3 p.m. | Thursday: 10 a.m.–noon
I have questions about… Student org purchasing, student employment, reimbursements, who to contact in general in OSLE, and my grandson. Email Melanie at mlabrass@macalester.edu or schedule a Digital Drop In.
Monday: 9–11 a.m.| Wednesday: 9–11 a.m.| Friday: 9–11 a.m.
Updates on Student Org and Interest Groups for Fall 2020
At Macalester, student organizations and interest groups play a crucial role in shaping the student experience. During this unprecedented year, student org leaders and members will be asked to rise to the occasion, adapt to our current circumstances, center safety and equity, and continue to provide much-needed opportunities for student connection.
During the Fall 2020 semester in-person meetings and events by student organizations and interest groups will not be permitted. Instead meetings and events should be held virtually. This decision is based on three primary reasons:
The Macalester Return to Campus Plan limits “social gatherings to no more than 10 people in a room indoors and no more than 25 gathered outdoors. This still requires staying six feet apart as much as possible and always wearing a face-covering at gatherings indoors.”
All campus spaces that would previously have been used for student group meetings and events have been converted to classroom space or designated student “perch points.” Therefore all reservations through December 31, 2020 have been cancelled. Student groups will not be able to reserve spaces during the Fall semester.
Gathering outside presents access and equity issues and, due to chilly temperatures, is not a sustainable option.
2020 Student Org FAQs
- OSLE staff members will reach out and schedule a Zoom meeting with each student group throughout September and October. During this meeting we can begin to provide support and answer your questions.
- OSLE staff will offer “digital drop in” office hours that student orgs may utilize for continued advising and guidance throughout the semester.
- SOLO (student org leader orientation) will be held virtually on September 5th. The content will be updated to respond to our current circumstances.
- OSLE will provide resources for operating virtually (e.g., virtual community building activities, Zoom best practices, accessibility guidance)
- OSLE will build a virtual involvement fair in our new platform, Presence. Details to come, the date is scheduled for September 12th.
- The Student Organization Handbook has been updated to provide guidance for orgs as they navigate operating virtually.
Our new platform, Presence, will operate as the one stop shop for all student organization and interest group events. Orgs should make sure they publish and promote their events in Presence. Groups should also consider building a more robust social media presence to help promote their events, meetings, and initiatives.
To see what events are coming from student orgs and departments download the Presence@Mac app.
OSLE wants to help showcase your organization on our social media platforms. To take advantage of our “Feature Friday” promotion opportunity please contact OSLE@macalester.edu.
Yes, student orgs should enter all events open to the campus community in Presence. Groups are also strongly encouraged to enter their org meetings in Presence (in this case you can choose if the meeting is public-facing or just open to members). New students are being advised to look to Presence for ways to stay engaged and get involved so for the sake of inclusivity and ease of access, please do put events in the system. Orgs should also enter the event in the campus events calendar (macalester.edu/calendar). Events do not need to be entered in EMS until further notice due to our current remote circumstances.
Yes! OSLE is working to build the involvement fair in our new platform, Presence. Groups will be assigned a time slot on September 12th for hosting a drop in space for new students. Look out for more information soon. Note, your organization will need to be registered in Presence to participate.
New students are being encouraged to look to Presence for information about student orgs. They can join the group through the portal, learn about your events and meetings, and send inquiries. It is important that student groups make sure their Presence page is up to date and that they are checking for correspondence from new potential members. Further training related to using Presence will be covered in our virtual SOLO (Student Organization Leader Orientation) training on September 5th (details to come).
Investing time and effort in your group’s social media presence may be another useful strategy for recruiting new members!
We encourage all students at Mac to get involved whether they are on campus or remote this fall. Visit Presence, our new platform for student groups, to browse through the diverse range of student orgs and interest groups at Macalester. In Presence you can request membership and contact orgs with questions.
Don’t forget to look out for more information about the upcoming virtual involvement fair on September 12th, which will be an opportunity to virtually connect with student groups in real time.
Yes! First work with your group to determine if this scenario applies to your org. If you find that you are not able to meaningfully operate in a virtual capacity please email SOC@macalester.edu to begin the process of “freezing” your org for the semester.
Student groups are not permitted to hold in-person meetings and events off campus. Virtual meetings allow for accessibility and equity for all members of our Macalester community near and far. Congregating off campus presents serious public health risks.
Student organizations and interest groups are not permitted to travel this fall. The Return to Campus Plan states “During Fall 2020, for students, no college-sponsored domestic or international travel is considered essential.”
Please review the 2020/2021 Student Organization Handbook for detailed information.