Activities
Don’t just watch. Participate.
USF is a vibrant community with a range of activities to appeal to every student. It's nearly impossible to be bored at USF with all of the things that happen on campus!
Welcome Week with New Student Orientation
Welcome Week has a variety of activities and opportunities to connect with the USF community, so you can be sure that you will be starting your time at USF on the right foot. Some activities include ClubFest, Video Game & Karaoke Night, Coo Floats and more along with some of USF students' favorite traditions like Grocery Bag Bingo.
Cougar Days
USF's Homecoming Cougar Days is a week-long tradition jam-packed with activities and events for both students and alumni - varying from voting for King and Queen, movies, lawn games and the President's Picnic, to the football game and tailgate!
Student Activities
It's more work to be bored at USF than it is to have fun! There are activities planned all week long, and there is rarely a day in the week where there isn't something going on for you to enjoy. Some popular events include:
USF Idol
USF Idol is an annual event featuring the vocal talent of USF students. Over the course of several weeks, students compete to be the next USF Idol. The best part is that, even if you don't want to sing, the showmanship of our students is amazing, and you get to vote for whom YOU think should win!
Grocery Bag Bingo
Our students love Bingo and free food, so why not combine the two? Grocery Bag Bingo gives students the opportunity to interact with their fellow students and restock their fridges!
CultureFest: Around the World
Students and staff set up areas with information on and food representing their culture and heritage, so students have the opportunity to learn more about different countries and try foods specific to their culture.
USF Olympics
One of the strongest USF Traditions, the USF Olympics occurs in both the fall and spring semesters with the USF Summer and Winter Olympics. Each competition pits Residential Halls, off-campus students and faculty/staff/alumni against each other in a series of challenges. With events ranging from Speed Walking to Volleyball to Curling to Figure Skating, these week-long events build camaraderie and friendships in a dynamic environment centered around competition and spirit.
Humans vs. Zombies
Humans vs. Zombies (HvZ) is a live-action game of tag wherein Humans need to survive the Zombie infection. Humans defend themselves with socks as the Zombie hoard chases and hunt them down where a simple touch by a Zombie infects and turns a Human! The game is played 24/7 over the course of the week with a variety of missions, and the one over-arching mission: survival.
Cougar Activities Board
The Cougar Activities Board (CAB) is made up of a team of students who grow and develop as leaders through the planning and implementation of campus events. Every student has a different role which helps create a more vibrant campus.
Clubs and Organizations
There are many clubs and organizations for students to join. Contact studentsenate@usiouxfalls.edu with any questions.
First Gen
First Gen is an organization on USF campus meant to create a community for first-generation students built by Student Life.
"As first-generation students, we have a lot on our shoulders. There is pressure from every direction. First Gen was started with the hopes to provide students with space to express their needs, anxieties and struggles. First Gen was launched so we can see First Gen students and honor them. We aim to create a community that values each individual and their identity. Our goal is to provide you with resources and support you through your journey. We hope you will join us in writing our histories and creating our own legacies". - Jackie Martinez, previous USF First-Gen Coordinator
Who is First Gen? The formal definition of a first-generation college student is a student whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree. We also think of students who may self-identify as not having prior exposure to or knowledge of navigating higher education and may need additional resources.
Mission: First Gen's mission is to provide on-campus events that will bring forth resources and celebrate all first-generation students. We are committed to the success and future of first-generation students on their journey to achieving all their goals and dreams.
For more information and resources please stop by the Student Life office.
Coo Tycoons Investment Club
The Coo Tycoons Investment Club actively manages an investment portfolio worth over $400,000. Students make decisions in managing the portfolio and choose investment strategies. Financial experts from the community visit the club and help students understand investments and how to make sound financial decisions. The primary objective of the club is to provide sufficient funds to fund scholarships and provide funds to support student mission trips.
FORGE
Faith, Optimism, Resilience, Grace and Endurance (FORGE) equips college students with strategies for lifelong resilience through student-led campus chapters, connected to a team of campus and community advisors and dedicated staff.
FORGE's mission is to see a world in which no young adult considers or completes suicide, and tools and community for developing lifelong resilience are easily accessible to any person.
Culture Club
Culture Club's goal and mission is to create a safe space inclusive of everyone that is willing to learn and discuss issues that are often not approached in various cultures.
Coo-Cinema Club
Coo-Cinema Club's mission is to create original compelling films that reflect upon the core of the human spirit and humankind's quest for purpose as a creation created in God's image. To produce and establish opportunities for continued growth and development as creative artists in challenging and collaborative productions.
Intramural Athletics and Fitness
There are team sports leagues happening year round. These leagues include volleyball, kickball, flag football, basketball, indoor soccer and softball. In addition to leagues, there are multiple tournaments that happen throughout the year, including Frisbee golf, doubles table tennis, dodge ball, spike ball, 3 v. 3 basketball, ultimate frisbee and lawn games.