by Delaney Letts
CMU’s extensive Student Life manages approximately 150 clubs, 230 organizations, regular activities on campus and helps with the distribution of student fees. The organization recently made a transition in hiring a new director, Shane O’Neill, after former director Mitch Karsten’s departed this fall.
“I love seeing the impact we have on students,” O’Neill said as to why he wanted the position. “It’s an amazing experience to see how gratifying it is for students to see something they planned and implement become successful. College is an interesting time in these students’ lives. So, being able to guide them along the way is an important role that I can kind of step into and lead them into their professional careers one day.”
Student Life’s mission is to create an environment that allows students to express themselves whether that be through an activity, event, club or sport. The organization provides hundreds of events on all different spectrums throughout the course of the year for students to participate in. One of their biggest events held annually is homecoming—this includes planning and carrying out the carnival, bonfire and parade.
Utilizing data from OrgSync, Student Life calculated approximately 5,000-6,000 students participate in events, whether that be one event per person or multiple events per person, each year. On a daily basis, 300-400 students are involved in Student Life as well as 2,000 who find themselves involved anywhere from once a week to once a month.
O’Neill, a recent CMU graduate, is originally from Pleasanton, Calif., but first moved to Grand Junction in 2011 to attend the university and pursue his college career. During his four years as a student here, O’Neill played on the CMU men’s lacrosse team. Then over the past two years O’Neill worked in the club sports department as assistant manager. And this past year he worked as the Student Life’s operation manager.
Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of a Student Life director, O’Neill applied for a promotion after Karstens left the position. The two had been working closely together to make a smooth transition for the entire Student Life.
O’Neill also said jumping into a position as demanding as Student Life director can be little overwhelming at first, but he is really excited to be given this awesome opportunity.
“I don’t think I could be anywhere else on campus,” O’Neill said. “I really do enjoy Student Life as a whole, and all the students and professional staff that I get to work with as well.”
O’Neill would love to see a more all-inclusive environment in the future for CMU. As an alumnus, he has a strong understanding of the culture here.
“I think if we can create more of a culture where everyone is welcomed and is able to participate in every single event—where not only specific clubs and organizations are doing things within their own organization—we will see growth as a university,” O’Neill said.
O’Neill would also like to see more collaboration across the board between all the clubs and organizations. He thinks this may attract more students to become significantly involved in Student Life and other aspects of campus life.
“I think the biggest thing we can do is bridge the gap between the different departments to get more students involved,” O’Neill said.
