The Department of Campus Recreation and Student Programming staff understand the college experience depends on more than classes and grades. We know that providing students with individual opportunities to learn and grow experientially is the most important job we can have. We believe that the many programs and experiences we offer are structured to help students make the most of their education at Youngstown State University, as well as to meet new people, to make memories, and to have fun.

Areas include:
• Greek Life
• Leadership Programs
• Performers Bi-weekly
• Penguin Productions
• Special Events
• Student Development
• Student Organizations

Leadership Programs
Sponsored by the offices of Student Affairs, Student Government and Campus Recreation and Student Programming, these interactive programs are designed to bring student organization leaders together for a day of sharing ideas, skill and leadership building as well affording all in attendance an opportunity to network across campus.  

Special “Theme Program Weeks”
Sponsored by the offices of Student Affairs, Student Government, Campus Recreation and Student Programming and Housing, these event filled weeks offer something for everyone. Students will have opportunities to meet students and staff from around campus, learn about programs, services and specific topics, celebrate YSU and most importantly have FUN! All activities during these special weeks are FREE to YSU students. These special “theme” weeks include: Welcome Week, Safer Sex Week, Alcohol Awareness Week and Homecoming.

Student Organizational Fair
If you are looking for ways to get involved on campus, the Student Organizational Fair is a visit you must make! Nearly 50 of our registered student organizations will line the lower arcade of Kilcawley Center for this informational event, offered during the first week of each semester. Whether you are interested in Aikido, sororities, fraternities, religion, politics, dance, fencing, bowling, math or science, YSU has an organization for you! Make a casual walk through the fair and decide which organization is the best fit for you! For more information, please contact Greg Gulas, Assistant Director at (330) 941-3580.

Penguin Pre-Party:
Join Campus Rec and Student Programming for the party before the party every-other Thursday from 7 pm - 10 pm! Peaberry’s Café in Kilcawley Center is the site for live entertainment, FREE FOOD, beverage specials and prizes. See you at the Pre-Party! Click here for the performance schedule. 

Special Events:
The Department of Campus Recreation and Student Programming hosts a variety of events for YSU students. Free food, prizes and fun can always be found at these events.

Previous events include:
• Foam and Dance Party
• YSU Family Day
• Exam Jam
• Sibs Weekend
• Texas Hold’ em
• Take Your Child To Work Day
• Student Appreciation Day

Penguin Production Events
Penguin Productions is a student group that operates under the Division of Student Affairs umbrella, charged with assessing, initiating, implementing and evaluating major events for over 13,000 students on the YSU campus. Penguin Productions conducts campus-wide assessments of students’ entertainment interests and identifies possible performers and venues. Working with Penguin Productions carries no academic credit or pay, but participants get a behind-the-scenes look at event planning, concert staging, ticket management and other concert business, including meeting the performers. For more information about upcoming events or becoming a Penguin Productions board member, please call (330) 941-2242. Check out www.ysu.edu/penguin_pro for upcoming event information.

GREEK RECRUITMENT…
The designated period in which both fraternities and sororities recruit new members.
 
For sororities, the beginning of the academic year includes a two-week informational, in-depth look at sorority life with placement of potential new members taking place by the end of the semester’s third week.

Upon completion of placement, COB or Continuous Open Bidding occurs whereby any potential new members can be recruited throughout the academic year.
Spring semester continues with COB and informal recruitment where informational sessions are scheduled for late January and early February.
For fraternities, informational sessions and individual socials take place during the early months on both semesters while recruitment for both fraternities and sororities remains a continuous on-going process throughout the academic year.          
For further information, please call the Campus Recreation & Student Programming Office at (330)-941-3575.

GREEK WEEK…
The week during fall semester that both fraternity and sorority chapters compete for points with Greek God and Goddess signaling the culmination of the week.
Points are awarded for different events that occur throughout the week with a traveling trophy awarded to the winners of both sides.
A group philanthropy, designated prior to the competition, is the overall winner!

GREEK SING…
An annual group singing competition between both fraternities and sororities which signals the end of the Greek calendar year.
Now over a half century in the making, the theme is chosen by both groups while an Open Class competition highlights the talents of those individuals who are currently active in the Greek System.