Iowa State University Top Questions

What are the most popular student activities/groups?

Jianyang

Football and basketball.

Emma

The biggest club at ISU is Dance Marathon. Dance Marathon is a great introductory club because it doesn't require tons of time, you just have to fundraise money and then spend 15 hours dancing with great people. Other clubs are often pre-professional or major related, such as Pre-Vet club. Intramural and club sports are also very popular, and the tournament t-shirts are coveted prizes at the end of the season. There are so many clubs at Iowa State, it's hard not to be involved.

Vanessa

The most popular things on campus are definitely philanthropic in nature. Dance marathon is very big as is relay for life. Homecoming and Veishea are also very big events each year

Molly

Some really popular activities are Dance Marathon, the Greek community and attending sporting events. A large percentage of students at Iowa State are in a Greek house and it has been one of the most rewarding and fun experiences I have had here. Dance Marathon is the largest student-run philanthropy on campus and that also has a large following. This will be my second year participating and I love it more and more each day. Sporting events are also a hugely populated activity, especially the football games. It's a great way to get to know people and have a lot of fun.

Charles

The most popular student group would have to be the Greek System. A lot of people belong to it and they a well-knit community that gets a lot done for the school and community.

Mayra

Athletes get all the attention here at ISU. Tons of ISU money goes to these programs in order to showcase the talent of many individuals on this campus. Second would be traditional greeks, although their money comes from fundraising events, there is a high population of students who are greeks and who always hold events to not only bring awareness about their sorority/fraternity on campus but to also help out the community.

john

Iowa State has tons to do on the weekends. I usually make lists of all the things going on on the weekends that sounds fun, and then I have to pick because I can't go to them all. there are dances, plays, competitions, parties, sporting events, concerts, speakers. Like I said in the overview, there are so many things going on that sometimes you can get a little lost in it all. I lived in the dorms for three years, and it was great. I knew most of the guys on my floor, and everyone left their doors open when they were around. We were an all male floor, so we competed with the other guys' floors to woo an all-female floor to be our "sister floor" and had events with them all year. I met my best friends through the marching band, which is the second best decision I ever made in my life (after coming to ISU)

Alison

I met my closest friends through other friends, classes, and work. VEISHEA is a great event that happens each year. Depends what kind of person you are. If you wanted you could find a party every night, but if you don't want to party you don't have to. A lot of people go to the bars which are right off campus. Sorority houses and fraternities aren't super important. You don't have to be a part of one to be cool or anything like that. Last weekend i went out one night and the other i stayed in. You can go to movies go for a walk or hang out or go out to eat--those don't involve drinking.

Valerie

The dorms were awesome. I only lived in them for a year, but our floor in Willow Hall got along so well; most everyone kept their doors open & most everyone got along. The people that I lived with for the next three years who were my best friends in college were people I met on my dorm floor. Keep an open mind, freshman year is so much fun if you're just willing to meet people and try new things.

Steven

Iowa State's different clubs and groups as well as the college itself hold many different events. I enjoyed going to many different concerts this past year. I also enjoyed other activities from swing dancing to lectures by famous authors. And of course at Iowa State there is the world renowned VEISHA, which is always a treat.

Alex

Athletic events are attended by a very hardcore group of fans. Most other fans just like to tailgate and hope the Cyclones win. Most of my closest friends I met on my dormitory floor freshman year. You can find a large number of people out at bars pretty much any day of the week, but starting Thursday evening and ending Sunday night, a huge majority of the partiers are out.

Ryan

There are many ways to get involved at Iowa State. Living in the residence halls freshmen year is a great way to meet people. Often times students leave their doors open so friends can walk in and out. Floors often hang out as friends, eat dinner, hang out, and even do homework together. Students may also decide to join the greek community which expands the range of people that you meet and a lot of the times have friends inside of the residence halls and in their houses. Joining clubs are also a great way to meet people, there is often a club fair that happens at the beginning of each semester to recruit new members. An activity that I am involved in is the marching band. It was an amazing way to meet people because I moved in a few days before everyone else did and when classes started I already knew people! Hanging out with friends at Iowa State is awesome too. Students who are not of age to drink can still have fun on the weekends. There is the Memorial Union where students can play bingo or even go midnight bowling. There is ISU After Dark which hosts free movie nights and fun activities. Students can shop at the local mall, dine at Perkins or Hickory Park, watch movies at the Dollar Theater or Cinema 12, go bowling, watch theatre at C.Y. Stephens, or just hang out in the residence halls. Many people I know sometimes venture to Des Moines to enjoy a change of scenery.

Laura

ISU has a ton of clubs on campus, and if you do not find one that you like, all that you need are 3 friends and you can start your own. Friley is the dorm that is closest to the engineering side of campus and in my experience most people keep their doors open when they are around which is a great way to meet people. The University brings comedians, plays, ballets, bands, orchestras and other great groups to perform on campus. We have a variety of venues including Hilton coliseum, CY Stevens Auditorium and then the more intimate M-shop at the Memorial union. In the summer/fall movies are also projected outside on central campus. I don't think that the frats and soroities rule the shcool by any means. There are parties on the weekend, but they are not dominant. There is a student festival in the spring called Veisha which lasts a week. Last weekend I travelled with the Crew Club to a regatta (race) in MN, good times.

Meredith

If I am awake at 2am on a Tuesday I am working for a class. Some members of sororities and fraternities go out on any weekday evening. Tradition: VEISHA and campaniling! Specific groups of people party a lot. Others party less often. Fraternities and sororities are important to the people in them. On a Saturday night you could go out to dinner with friends, go to a movie with friends, hang out at someone's place, or go out of town.

Jessica

I love going out- it's a great part of college. I love meeting new people every weekend and being able to relax after a stressful week.

Valerie

The social life here at ISU is very exciting and fun. I really like the greek social lives, it helps et me very involved in the University.

Elizabeth

I'm a member of the Greek community and I feel that this has given me the opportunity to make the huge ISU campus into a smaller and more manageable community.

Maggie

Intramurals are a very big part of Iowa State and very popular among the student body.

Taylor

Iowa State students are some of the nicest people you will meet. When I lived in the dorms, I never locked my door. Greek life is pretty popular on campus. Most of the leadership roles on campus, (Government Student Body, Homecoming, etc.) are filled by Greeks. So are most of the philanthropic organizations. I have met my closest friends through Greek life. If you want to get involved on campus, you want to be Greek. People party every weekend. Every night, actually. Now, we don't have a big "party school" reputation, but we still know how to bring it. Every spring we have VEISHEA, which is an old tradition meant to celebrate all the colleges of the university, but really equals lots of drinking. We have concerts during the weekend, and everyone gets smashed. One year, a riot broke out, leading to flaming dumpsters and tear gas. VEISHEA was cancelled that next year. This year, the administration is demanding money for the once previous free concerts, and are also limiting the number of people able to go to these concerts to about half what normally go. There is talk of riots again this year. Which probably means some really drunk people yelling "riot!" and being promptly arrested. People are pissed about the changes, but I think they will resort to drinking rather than organized protest. To be honest, there is not a whole lot to do that doesn't involve drinking. I mean, there are movies, and bowling. That is about it. I suppose if you are a dude, you can hang out with your friends and play halo. That just isn't very socially acceptable for girls. The music sucks here. We rarely get good acts booked. For instance, this year, Eve 6 will be headlining for VEISHEA. You have to go to Minnealpolis or Chicago if you want to see a good show. You have to be 21 to go to the bars here, so there is alot of house party/ parties at fraternities.

Kayla

There isn't a most popular organization or club on campus. So many students are involves in various activities that not any particular one stands out to me. Athletic events are semi-popular along with shows or other events on campus. I met my closest friends in the activities on got involved in. I even keep in contact with some of the people I met in the dorms. On a typical weekend I am usually with my friends taking a break from academics. We do all sorts of things like play games, rent movies, go to movies, make dinner, go shopping, what we can do is endless. Partying is what I'm here for so I personally choose not to do it often. Some people here party every night of the week while others never drink, ever. Fraternities and sororities are not important. They are a good way to meet people and find different networks but I wouldn't call that important. They do great things however. By this I mean philanthropies. Greeks raise so much money to donate to charities which is a powerful thing that many non-greeks cannot do simply becasue they dont have a lot of people.

Brooke

greek

Taylor

Greek life is the best, but there are tons of other things to do!

margaret

I was involved in nutrition club for about a year. I am a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. the greek community here is pretty large and does a lot of activites during homecoming and Greek Week. Each chapter has a philanthropy. Our philanthropy is the largest greek philanthropy and the second largest one on campus, behind dance marathon. Events that happen each year are homecoming and VEISHA.

Elizabeth

Intramurals are the most popular things to get involved in.

Ellen

I think the social life is pretty typical of what one would imagine a college to be. People party a lot- greeks and non-greeks party the same. There are some activities available that don't involved drinking that are offered by the university. Greeks make up a small percentage of the total students, but the Greek system offers a lot of activities to its members.

Alyssa

For having a pretty small downtown Iowa State has a pretty happening social scene. Cool bars, sweet vendors on the streets at night, and restaurants open from Thursday to Sunday morning straight. There is usually a lot to do and a lot of people to meet. Living on campus is a must.

Leah

Iowa State is a very social campus. I get along with just about everyone I meet!

Kelly

I am in a sorority at Iowa State and it is amazing. Sometimes it makes things stressful but in the long run, it's worth it. My best friend was in my recruitment group freshman year and that was how we met. Sororities are a great way to get involved both in your own chapter and the rest of the Greek community. Most non-greeks do not do nearly half the things we do. VEISHEA is amazing. Granted there have been some issues with it this year and the wristbands but overall it is a great week. It is a great week to celebrate Iowa State and everyone that attends. The campus is packed with tents and music and the parade is really fun!

Theresa

sororities and fraternities are the most popular and well known groups on campus, I am involved in a sorority. No one leaves their doors open in my dorm because we have suite styled dorms and so we have our own bathrooms, I dont know my neighbors. if i'm awake at 2am on a tuesday i am doing homework.

Dylan

There is always something to do at Iowa State, you can always find atleast one activity you can do. Leaving dorm rooms open all depends on the person and the atmosphere that floor had, if you know everyone on the floor and are only gone briefly you may leave your door open, however if you have class all day you most likely would shut and lock your door. If you're awakeat 2 am on tuesday you are most likely frantically typing the paper due the next morning, study for an exam, or maybe if you have a late class you may be socializing such as watching a movie.

nicole

I would have to say the biggest group would have to be SALT company. It is a huge church thing and tons of students go to it. I go as well and I just love it. Athletic events are very supported here at Iowa State. On a Saturday night I would go over to my boyfriends and watch a movie and hang out or go to a movie. I don't drink though so it doesn't matter to me. I have never drank in my life.

Becky

I'm in a sorority and I absolutely love it. I have so much fun getting involved and the opportunites that it offers me. I enjoy the close bonds I get the chance to have with other young women and the all the activities we do. Our service project is Run for the Roses and it was so much fun doing and knowing that we are helping out!

Katie

I do not leave my door open anymore after someone was randomly creeping through one of my friends rooms. I am in a sorority so that is very important to me and that is where I spend most of my time and getting involved with that. ALmost all of my friends are greek, in fraternities and sororites and I wouldnt have it any other way. I would say a large portion of people are greek. Maybe like 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}?

Jerry

I enjoy my social outlet: the residence halls at Iowa State. Also, many academic programs and departments have student and/or professional organizations. Many people are involve din these. Greek life is influential, but not essential, to the Iowa State experience.

Erin

I would say that one thing that was prevalent on campus was drinking, especially beer. In the dead of winter people drank beer or stayed in and watched movies, there really isn't much else to do on a Friday and Saturday night. Usually, most students on the floor hung out together making it difficult living in farm away dorms to hangout with a negative 30 wind chill, but most dorms were pretty open. I lived in towers, and it was rare to have a floor where there room doors were all open and people walking from room to room.

Alex

I think Iowa State has an awesome social life. There are parties so if you are into that you can go party but there are so many other things to do rather than party. My friends and I have several movie nights in the dorms. We like to rent really old ones and stay up late watching them. We also have slumber parties where we bring in futon matresses and lay it on the floor so people can sleep on that. It's great time! There is always something fun to do on the weekends.

Tate

I'm Greek and I love it. The girls are amazing and you get to meet many fraternity boys and its just a great atmosphere. I also live in the dorms and it is a great way to meet people. Many leave their doors open so its a welcoming feeling.

Kelsey

tons of amazing traditions, veishea, tons of speakers and events, pizza is a big thing, afterdark= program for sober friday nights. . .

Sarah

gotta love the Greek community and VEISHEA :)

Charlie

The Greek system at Iowa State is a big organization on campus. There are also many clubs, intramurals, and groups that people can find something fun to do when they want to. People in the dorms, depending on the floor, leave their doors open, it is a great way to meet all the people on your floor.

Alex

GO GREEK!!!!!!! best choice of my life!

Andy

Dorms- depends on what dorm you are in but some students leave door open. Athletic events are very popular- depending the sport and the opposing team Campaniling happens each year- great tradition Not a lot of inexpensive things to do on campus/in ames area for non-drinkers or people who don't wanna party.

Allard

I think the most popular organizations on campus are Greek houses. 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of Iowa State is greek, which is a significant number.

Morgan

The greek community is one of the best parts of the University. In addition, I always enjoyed VEISHA and Homecoming events.

Jody

get involved. so many things are offered

Trista

Something good about the Iowa State location, is that it isn't far from the capital, which has lots of malls and good malls at that. It is always fun to take a trip out to Jordan Creek Mall with your friends for a little shopping.

Lindsay

Students in Maple Hall keep the doors closed. People party quite a bit. There was never a weekend freshman-senior year that we couldn't find a place to go.

Kelly

Intramurals are a big thing at Iowa State, and they are a fun way to get involved. There are always plays going on, bands playing, and guest speakers speaking. The biggest thing that I am involved with is my sorority. Being in a sorority is so much fun and I get to experience a lot more things that other students that aren't Greek at Iowa State don't get to experience. I would say that it is very important to be Greek. Iowa State does have one of the best Greek systems in the nation. Right now I live in the dorms. At the beginning of the year everyone kept their door open; however, now, most people keep them shut or just cracked a little. I think this happens because at the beginning of the school year everyone is out to make new friends and by the end, they have formed their clicks.

Ani

I am in a sorority. Sports are probably the most popular organization. they are pretty popular, but obviously football season and tailgating is the most attended event.

Jessica

The most popular organizations on campus would be the fraternities and sororities. I am involved with Sigma Kappa Sorority. I do hold a position as Philanthropy chair. I inform the ladies of the sorority of what events are going on in the community and have them get involved. It is my job to plan an event. This semester it is for MADD (mothers against drunk driving). I have had a lot of help not just from my sisters in the house but also from the other greek houses. I am glad to be a part of the Greek community. I have met so many people and created great relationships.