Have a passion for scuba diving or gospel music? A desire to help recruit more minorities into the health sciences? Chances are that whatever your interest, one of UCSF's 85 registered campus organizations (RCOs) can link you with like-minded folks.

According to Eric Koenig, director of the Office of Student Relations, more than half the campus groups are designed for students but many others focus on staff hobbies and interests. All told these organizations host more than 250 activities each year.

Incoming students get a taste of the variety of groups available to them in September during the New Student Orientation Fair and through their student information packets. According to Koenig, a significant percentage of students choose to participate in at least one group. "It's one of the few opportunities for students to get out of their academic orientation and interact with other students in other schools."

When Koenig joined the UCSF staff in 1987 there were approximately 30 registered campus organizations. "The fact that the number has almost tripled in 10 years reflects the social need these groups fill and the tremendous diversity of interests on this campus," he says.

To register as an official organization, groups must complete an RCO registration form which includes a statement of purpose and list of club officers or leaders. Generally, groups fall into one of three categories: those that promote educational programs, cultural exchange or community service.

Registration, which is coordinated through Koenig's office, entitles groups to use campus facilities for events and to conduct fund-raising on campus. In addition, the Office of Student Relations coordinates funds from several sources that help support many of the groups' activities.

Among the oldest campus organizations are several groups oriented to specific racial/ethnic interests, among them the Black Caucus at UCSF, a group formed in the early 1970s, the Black Students' Health Alliance and Chicanos and Latinos in Health Education. One of the newer groups, the five-year-old Chinese Health Professional Student Association, is also one of the largest, with more than 250 members. Other ethnic groups represented by campus organizations include Filipinos, South Asians, Jews, Iranians, Koreans, Vietnamese and Native Americans.

Many of the student ethnic groups hold annual awareness days. This past spring several groups formed together to hold a "unity week," highlighted by dance performances, film showings and a savory sampling of international foods.

Several organizations emphasize community service as part of their mission. Some sponsor health fairs in underserved parts of the city such as the Mission district and Bayview-Hunters Point, or plan various recruitment days to encourage minorities to pursue careers in the health sciences.

Groups come and go as interests change. For example, a new student group formed this year to address deaf cultural awareness has sponsored a health fair and speaker series and plans to offer beginning sign-language interpretation classes. Other groups focus on common recreational interests. One venerable group, the Golf Sports Club at UCSF, coordinates monthly golf outings, NCGA membership and handicapping services. For those who want to explore shared interests in the arts, the campus boasts a gospel choir, a capella singing ensemble, and orchestra.

Campus organizations also exist for gay and lesbian students and staff and those with particular religious affiliations. Many individual organizations have a presence on the World Wide Web, and Koenig plans next year to develop a detailed website listing all campus organizations. For now, anyone interested in more information can call the Office of Student Relations at 476-4318.

By Leslie Lingaas

1st appeared 7/28/97