GarNEtGaTE GarNEtGaTE

WITH MORE THAN 550 student organizations active on campus, USC has a club or group for basically any purpose or topic: certain careers, academics, sports, volunteering, games and many others. GarnetGate is the university’s online platform for getting involved outside the classroom and serves as a hub of information to help students find and join the organizations they’re looking for.

Users can use GarnetGate to see a full list of all student organizations or search for and filter organizations by name, keyword, subject, or category of organization. Logging in to the platform will allow you to see full details about each group, including the officers’ contact information, times of regular meetings, and important documents. GarnetGate also features information about campus events, including those that are open to the entire campus community, and allows users to RSVP and track their attendance on the platform. Once a student officially joins an organization, they are listed on that group’s roster and their participation is formally noted by the university on the MyUofSCExperience transcript that lists extra-curricular activities.

Jamie Ayres, the Leadership and Service Center’s coordinator for leadership and student organizations, helps students and student leaders use GarnetGate effectively to find opportunities, plan events, communicate with members and share highlights and organizational news throughout the year. The LSC also hosts monthly workshops during the academic year to help student leaders with running their organizations.

“These workshops are really casual conversations about topics that student organization leaders and members are curious

By Katryn West

about,” Ayres said. “These topics could include event planning, time management, goal setting, self-care, and transitioning roles to the next group of leaders.”

On the off chance that a certain club or organization doesn’t yet exist on USC’s campus, the Leadership and Service Center has a process for creating a new one. Founding members just need support from seven other members to begin the process.

“If you look for things you have an interest in, you’ll find opportunities that speak to your passions and interests,” Ayres said. “Start with one or two organizations, get a feel for those, and see what the time commitment is. And, of course, if you don’t find what you’re looking for, come see me, and we can talk about how to create it.”