Each summer and fall, hundreds of new students step onto the University of Idaho campus for the first time. Some have friends already attending school here, while some others are on their own for the first time in their lives.
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As the new school year kicks off there are many activities for students to participate in including clubs, student organizations, and other physical activities such as rock climbing which is offered inside the University of Idaho Student Recreation Center. Open climb begins at noon Monday through Friday and ends at 9 p.m., and also Saturday and Sunday from 2 – 8 p.m.
Viewing campus as a network of people can make the transition much easier — there is a myriad of activities and opportunities for students on campus, as well as in the surrounding community of Moscow. Here are just a few options on how to get involved on campus.
Get physical
Your Vandal Card is the key to accessing the resources the Student Recreation Center has to offer. With two full-size gymnasium floors, an enclosed multi-activity court, punching bags, climbing center, indoor track and multiple weight training and cardio areas, you’ll find many different ways to keep fit. The SRC also hosts wellness classes like Zumba, TRX, Bollywood Belly Dancing, cycling and more.
If you’re looking to go on a camping trip, hiking expedition, skiing or even rafting and kayaking, the rental center in the Outdoor Program office has gear you can rent for minimal costs. The Outdoor Program also hosts cooperative backpacking trips, mountain biking excursions and instructional workshops and clinics.
If you’d rather run, bike, skate or even walk the dog outside to get your exercise, hit the one of the local paved recreation trails. The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail runs right alongside the SRC, and continues seven miles into neighboring city Pullman, Wash. On the eastern side of Moscow, you can enjoy 15 paved miles on the Moscow-Troy Trail to Troy, Idaho.
Listen up
Moscow is filled to the brim with artistic opportunities, especially when it comes to music. Whether you’re in a coffee shop, UI’s Haddock Performance Hall, a local bar, restaurant or music shop, the community of Moscow celebrates music and the arts.
UI brings together jazz musicians, string quartets and more for the Auditorium Chamber Music Series, and in February UI also hosts the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival — an award-winning celebration of jazz and effort to bring jazz music masters into the classrooms with students.
Experience the arts
There are two on-campus galleries, but even more to experience throughout downtown Moscow.
Ridenbaugh Art Gallery can be found on the first floor of Ridenbaugh Hall on campus displaying work by art and design students throughout the year.
The Reflections Gallery, located in the Commons just outside the food court, showcases work by art and design students and also hosts other student activities like poetry readings and tabling by student organizations.
If you’re exploring downtown Moscow, stop by Prichard Art Gallery on the corner of Main and Fifth Street. As an outreach facility of the UI College of Art and Architecture, Prichard hosts between nine and 11 exhibits annually ranging from photography, computer art, ceramics and glassworks alongside paintings and sculpture.
The Moscow Food Co-op located in downtown Moscow on Fifth Street features art from local artists and community members of all ages. Utilizing the yellow walls inside the Co-op’s café area, the Co-op hosts artist receptions at the beginning of new exhibits.
Get involved
Student involvement is an integral part of the campus experience as a whole, whether it’s pertaining to participation in a student organization, campus club or volunteering for a university program.
Whatever your passion, UI has a club or program to celebrate it; the campus Women’s Center puts on events throughout the year in support of women’s rights and gender equality, while there are also clubs for various faiths and religions, activities like skateboarding, fencing, karate and also clubs for special interests like anime, environmental conservation and digital media.
Chloe Rambo can be reached at [email protected]