Involvement in co-curricular activities is an important aspect of college life. The Office of Student Involvement in the Division of Student Affairs provides supports for a wide variety of activities for the student body, including Student Organizations, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Intercultural Education & Engagement, Leadership Programs, Community Engagement, and Campus Programming.

Campus Programs

The Office of Student Involvement sponsors a variety of student programs including Premier Fair, Homecoming, Winter Blast, as well as the coordination of The Big Green Welcome. Student Involvement is also home to the Campus Activities Board (CAB), a student organization dedicated to planning social events for the campus community. CAB aims to provide a diverse range of programs that allow students to develop socially, while also attempting to create a more unified campus. All of the on-campus CAB events are completely free and open to all enrolled students.

Community Engagement

The Office of Student Involvement supports Community Engagement through the development of service projects, assisting with service-learning courses, supporting the AmeriCorps VISTA program, and the advisement of IMPACT, the student led community service organization. Annual service projects and fundraisers hosted by IMPACT include Spartan Day of Service, Haunted Hollow, Angel Tree, and Lake Sweep. The Office of Student Involvement also oversees the Alternative Break program that includes multiple Alternative Fall Break trips and Alternative Spring Break trips.

Intercultural Education & Engagement

Intercultural Education & Engagement (IEE) strives to influence campus culture by cultivating intercultural knowledge, competency, and leadership. Fostering co-curricular programming, student support, and identity development initiatives, IEE commits to enhancing the experiences of diversity, equity, and inclusion on USC Upstate's campus.

These programs and services give all students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to learn, develop and grow individually and within community, as they are challenged to cultivate of a deeper and more accurate understanding of themselves and our globally diverse society. Please explore the resources on the Office of Intercultural Education & Engagement website to learn more about our campus community.

Inclusivity Workshops - Facilitated discussions relating to various aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion are available by request. To learn more about workshops offered, visit the office of Intercultural Education & Engagement website. To request a workshop for students or professional staff, email involvement@uscupstate.edu.

Cultural, Heritage, and Affinity Campus Celebration - Explore intercultural programming and events on campus celebrating cultural and affinity identities. Signature celebrations include:

• Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
• Black History Month
• Multicultural Mix & Mingle
• Faith Fest
• First Generation Celebration Week
• Latinx Heritage Month
• LGBTQ+ History Month
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Week
• Women's History Month

Safe Zone Training - The Safe Zone Program is a campus-wide initiative that educates on LGBTQ+ identities, gender, and sexuality, and power and privilege. The intent is also to educate on allyship for the purpose of building a more inclusive community.

Fraternity and Sorority Life

USC Upstate is home to 13 active Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities (5 men’s organizations, and 8 women’s organizations). For more information about becoming involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life, visit www.uscupstate.edu/fsl or contact the Office of Student Involvement at 864-503-5122 with further questions.

Men’s Organizations
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Women’s Organizations
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Delta Zeta Sorority
Phi Mu Fraternity
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity

Student Media

The Carolinian--a student-run news and digital media outlet--serves as the campus newspaper. It contains information pertaining to student involvement, club news, sports news and features. Persimmon Creek is an annual literary and art magazine, edited by students, that publishes the work of students, faculty members and others.

Student Organizations

USC Upstate is home to more than 75 registered student organizations, including Academic and Honorary groups, faith-based organizations and other special interest organizations. For an up to date list of all registered student organizations, please contact the Office of Student Involvement at 864-503-5122.  

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association is the official elected body that represents all USC Upstate students. SGA officers work to conduct student functions and to maintain lines of communication among the faculty, the administration, and the student body. Students are appointed to various university committees upon the recommendations of the SGA.

Performing Groups

University Art Galleries

The Curtis R. Harley Gallery, located in the performing Arts Center, schedules six or more exhibitions during the academic year that are accompanied by lectures, symposia, workshops and field research. Each year the gallery showcases the work of the graduating seniors in the visual arts program giving them an opportunity to present undergraduate research in a public setting.

FOCUS Gallery is located on the second floor of the Humanities and Performing Arts Center. FOCUS is an acronym for "Featuring Outside Creative Undertakings of Students." The gallery is a unique partnership between USC Upstate and area schools to feature student artwork, lesson plans and assessments by the art teacher.

USC Upstate Downtown Gallery at 200 E. St. John Street is located at the Chapman Cultural Center, the arts and culture center of the Spartanburg community. The USC Upstate Art Gallery connects the academic and creative missions of USC Upstate to the broader community through the presentation, interpretation, and discussion of contemporary art. This gallery exhibits the work of diverse artists working in the Upstate region, the broader Southeast, and beyond; engages the community in programming that highlights the artistic innovations and cultural contributions of these artists; and provides transformative learning opportunities for USC Upstate students.

Commercial Music Combo.  The Commercial Music Combo performs classic and contemporary rock and popular music at concerts both on and off campus.

Gordon-Colloms Gospel Choir. The USC Upstate Gordon-Colloms Gospel Choir is open to any student interested in gospel music. The choir meets on a regular basis to rehearse and presents several performances each year.

USC Upstate Theatre. The USC Upstate theatre group presents several major productions each year, plus smaller presentations and original revues. Membership in the Theatre is open to all students interested in theatrical performance and production.

Upstate Vocal Ensemble. The Upstate Vocal Ensemble performs traditional and contemporary music for mixed choir, as well as pop, jazz, musical theatre and rock selections. The Ensemble is open to any interested USC Upstate student. This touring ensemble performs regularly throughout the school year.

USC Upstate Jazz Combo. The USC Upstate Jazz Combo performs classic and contemporary jazz at concerts on and off campus. The combo is made up of music majors and minors, and non-majors taking the course for elective or cognate credit. Solo improvisation is not required, but welcome.