Student Group Opportunities

Explore U 
Saturday, August 30, 2025
1:00PM-4:30PM at Huntington Bank Stadium

Minneapolis Fall Activities Fair 
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
11:00AM-2:00PM at Coffman Memorial Union

St. Paul Fall Activities Fair  
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
11:00AM-1:00PM at the St. Paul Student Center

Spring Activities Fair  
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
11:00AM-2:00PM in the Coffman Memorial Union Great Hall

The Activities Fairs are one-day events where registered student groups are able to table and promote themselves to new members. There are two in the Fall (Minneapolis and St. Paul locations) and one in the Spring in Minneapolis. These events are open to all UMN Twin Cities students.

Explore U is a event intended for first-year and transfer students to explore opportunities on the Twin-Cities campus. Registered student groups are able to table at this event to help promote their group and recruit new members. This event is hosted by Orientation and Transition Experiences and allows first-year and transfer students to explore both student groups on campus, as well as local businesses.

Registration for the Spring Acitvities Fair is NOW OPEN.

• The form will close when all spots are filled.
• Unconfirmed student groups may come the day of each event and can claim a table a confirmed student group did not. These will be claimed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Any currently-registered student group (registered for the 2025-2026 academic year) in good standing with Student Unions & Activities (SUA) may sign up for a table at any of the Activities Fairs. Student group officers and members must be at the table at all times during the event.

No, Explore U and the Fall and Spring Activities Fairs are free of charge.

Why does the site say that I need to pay $500 to participate in Explore U?
You are looking at OTE's (Orientation and Transition Experience) site for vendors. These are for businesses, restaurants and organizations that are placed on the inside of Huntington Bank Stadium at Explore U. Student groups do not need to pay to sign up as a student group.

No, the Explore U and Activities Fairs are for registered student groups only.

After making a request, a confirmation email will be sent to the primary and secondary email addresses that were entered on the form. Space is limited so requesting a spot does not guarantee a space in the fairs until your group receives the confirmation email. Confirmation emails will be sent after requests are processed. This may take up to 4 weeks.

If groups have any questions before then, they may reach out to SAO for assistance. 

Please contact SAO with your student group name and student group ID number as soon as you know your group will not be able to attend.

What happens when a fair's registration is full?

Groups may choose to show up on the day of the event to try and get a table. Table availability is dependent upon how many confirmed groups do not check in by the required time. These are given to unconfimed groups on a first-come, first-seved basis. There are typically a few tables left over from confirmed group check-in, so there is still a chance your group can participate. 

How can my group try to claim a table on the day of the fair?

Unconfirmed groups may come on the day of the fair and your group may wait as early as you want, however there is no guarantee that tables will become available. There will be a specific line for unconfirmed groups that groups can wait in to try and claim a table. Once all confirmed groups have checked in, unconfirmed student groups will be accepted in the order they arrived and based on the number of remaining tables. 

At the time indicated on the confirmation email. You can arrive as early as you want and wait in line before check-in begins. Groups will then check-in with SUA staff before claiming a table.

Tables are assigned based on first-come, first-served on the day of the event. Groups must check in prior to claiming a table.

Groups that don't show by the final check-in time will lose their spot to a group that is waiting. This time will be communicated closer to the event date.

Due to space constraints, you can only bring items that fit under or behind your table. Groups typically bring tablecloths, tri-fold boards, flyers, brochures and giveaways. Due to space constraints, if you need to set anything up (ex. a large sign or banner), you may only do so behind your table, not next to it. Groups are encouraged to consider sustainability and hand out more eco-friendly materials and/or limit printed materials.

Printed material must include the group's name and contact information. Food must be pre-packaged, individually-wrapped and store-bought. Any beverages handed out must be Coca-Cola products. No fundraising activities or sales are allowed.

Following Housing & Residential Life policies, groups are not allowed to give these items away: door stops, candles & incense, decorative lighting, door-mounted dry erase boards and alcohol-related paraphernalia.

Groups must also follow all University Policy while tabling. Additional expectations will be communicated to groups on the sign up form, confirmation emails, and on the day of the event. 

At least one student member from your group must be at the table at all times. While tabling, members must stay within ten feet of the table.

At Explore U, due to space constraints, each group is limited to only four student members or officers at a time. Each group member must wear a provided name badge at all times. Advisors may not represent a group.

Contact [email protected] to express concerns about a student group, or head back to the check-in table to let staff know immediately. 

Student groups may share feedback using this form.

Officer Transitions - September 17, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm at The Toaster
This workshop is dedicated to helping student groups plan for an effective officer transition following an election of new leadership. 

Fundraising Strategies - October 9, 2025, from 10:30 pm to 11:45 pm at the Toaster
This workshop is dedicated to helping student groups learn fundraising strategies to fund their student group operations.

Budget Management - November 11, 2025, from 10:30 pm to 11:45 pm at The Toaster
This workshop is dedicated to helping student groups create and maintain a balanced budget helping them monitor all income and expenses, and preparing for any grant applications and tax obligations.

Officer Transitions - January 30, 2026, from 5:00pm to 6:00pm at The Toaster
This workshop is dedicated to helping student groups plan for an effective officer transition following an election of new leadership. 

Membership Management - February 19, 2026, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at The Toaster
This workshop is dedicated to helping student groups understand and discuss effective strategies to recruit new members and maintain their engagement in the group. 

Student Group Leadership Styles - March 24, 2026, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at The Toaster
This workshop is dedicated to helping student group leaders explore different leadership styles and how they show up within student organizations. Participants will reflect on their own leadership approach, learn how to adapt to different group needs, and discuss ways to lead more effectively and inclusively.

Running Effective Meetings - April 17, 2026, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm (Webinar)
This webinar is dedicated to helping student groups plan and facilitate productive, engaging meetings. Participants will explore strategies for setting clear agendas, encouraging participation, managing time effectively, and ensuring meetings lead to meaningful action and follow-through.

There is no cost to participate in any Student Group Empowerment Series event.

No, attendees may come and leave as they are able.

Absolutely! Feel free to attend as many event dates as you want.

Yes! Student Group Services staff will be available during the event to assist with general advising. Student groups may also schedule a general advising appointment with their assigned advisor at z.umn.edu/studentgroupadvising.