Student Involvement

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.
 

Truman State University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and a charter member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 21 sports, 11 for men and 10 for women:

MEN Football Basketball Swimming Soccer Cross Country Indoor Track Outdoor Track Tennis Golf  Baseball Wrestling

WOMEN Volleyball Basketball Swimming Soccer Cross Country Indoor Track Outdoor Track Tennis Golf  Softball

Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to enhancing the University’s commitment to a liberal arts education by providing a positive experience for student-athletes which promotes wholesome educational and athletics opportunities. The Athletic Department is located in Pershing Building.

Forensic activities constitute one of the oldest learning communities at Truman State University. It is truly a liberal arts activity in that intercollegiate speech and debate is a mix of psychology, critical thinking, research, current events, and communication. Truman competes in debate and individual events. The forensics program is one of the leading full-service forensics programs in the nation, ranking among the top ten parliamentary debate programs in the nation since 2000 and among the top ten programs nationally in its individual speaking events division during several years in the same period. Truman won the National Parliamentary Debate Association National Championship in 2000 and 2004 and has placed twenty-eight teams in elimination rounds of the national championships since 1999. The program placed fifth at the National Forensic Association tournament in 2003. Truman has held several Missouri forensics championships since 2001 and routinely earns several hundred awards and other honors during each invitational tournament season.

Since 1914, students have chosen to become members of fraternities and sororities at Truman State University because of the advantages these organizations provide. Greek-letter societies were founded on the ideals of leadership, scholarship, community service, friendship, and diversity. Truman’s organizations continue to uphold these ideals and high standards. The Office of Greek Life strives to provide guidance and support for students’ co-curricular Greek involvement. The staff work in partnership with Greek organizations to develop programs and policies which encourage a sense of belonging, promote self-governance, challenge students to gain new skills and knowledge, and enable students to participate in positive individual and societal change. The Office of Greek Life is located in the Student Union.

The purpose of the SERVE Center is to provide organization, direction, and student services that facilitate the responsible citizenship of Truman State University students through community service. The center promotes civic responsibility as an integral outcome of a liberal education. The SERVE Center seeks to foster improved relationships between the University and community by matching volunteer human resources of the University with community needs. These opportunities allow students to reflect upon their experiences and consider societal needs as forces shaping future societies. Within the context of the University’s core values of broadly educating students, increasing students’ understanding of moral and ethical challenges, and preparing students for effective living in a democratic society, SERVE seeks to accomplish the following two goals:

• Facilitate the development of Truman students into responsible, enlightened citizens.
• Promote a climate conducive to student involvement through participation in community service.

The Center offers students the opportunity to gain experience through voluntary service with community and public agencies. The SERVE Center maintains a listing of community service needs and helps students select placements appropriate to their interests, academic preparation, and aspirations for the future. Volunteer service is available with human service agencies, government organizations addressing human and social needs and community betterment groups. The Center assists student organizations, fraternities, sororities, and residential halls in finding appropriate philanthropic and service activities for their members and residents. For more information about service opportunities at Truman, contact the SERVE Center at (660) 785-7222.

THE INDEX

The Index is the student newspaper, published weekly throughout the academic year. It has received national recognition as a five-star, All-American college paper that has in recent years earned the distinction of being named the best weekly collegiate newspaper in the Midwest. In 1998, 2003, and 2005, it was also named the best weekly collegiate paper in the nation. Editors hold paid positions, and students who work on the newspaper include reporters, photographers, artists, ad representatives, and layout staff members.

KTRM

KTRM is the campus radio station of Truman State University. KTRM is an on-air facility and thus is an excellent beginning for those students interested in pursuing a broadcast career. KTRM provides broadcast opportunities and educational experiences for students while serving the informational needs of the University community. All staff have the opportunity to learn many real-world skills useful in areas besides broadcasting. KTRM broadcasts at 88.7 FM and is also the audio portion of the University billboard, available on campus on channel 2 and off campus on channel 36. KTRM’s target audience is made up of both the University community and the greater Kirksville community. KTRM provides a forum for widely diverse forms of programming not found anywhere else in Kirksville, ranging from music to talk shows. The daytime format is Alternative Rock, while specialty shows fill up most weekends. These shows range from blues and jazz to heavy metal and hip-hop. Informational offerings include a regular interview show featuring a prominent individual or group on campus, as well as occasional political debates. Daily news- and sportscasts cover world, national, and local issues, with an emphasis on campus events. In addition, campus sporting events are broadcast live when possible.

DETOURS

DETOURS is a regional magazine produced for readers in a rural community centered in Kirksville and extending through northeast Missouri into Iowa and Illinois. Currently published three times a year, it circulates to students and off-campus readers interested in local folklore, personalities, history, nature, arts and crafts, and a variety of travel, leisure, and lifestyle events available to residents living in the surrounding community. The magazine gives students an opportunity to work in a medium that enables them to explore, serve, and work with residents in the larger community beyond the campus.

TRUMAN TV

Truman TV is the vehicle for airing student-produced programming on campus and in the community. The primary product is TruNews, a weekly newscast that airs in the community on Cable Channel 36 and on campus over Cable Channel 76. The newscast is produced by a student staff and relies heavily on reports submitted by students enrolled in COMM 358, Television Broadcasting. Resources include VHS shooting and editing equipment, a television studio, and computer-generated graphics. Students also have access to the daily feeds of CNN Newsource.

Truman TV welcomes proposals for non-news programming, which must be approved and supervised by the TruNews staff.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES BOARD

The Student Activities Board (SAB) is dedicated to providing quality entertainment for Truman State University, while enhancing the University experience. Activities, which are funded by the student activities fee, include concerts, movies, comedians, entertainers, Dog Days, and local talent performances. All students with a minimum 2.5 GPA are eligible to apply for membership in this 35-member volunteer organization. Selections are made two or three times per year by an application and interview process. This is a great way to learn out-of-class skills and programming experience.

STUDENT SENATE

The Truman State University Student Government is the official elected governing body of the Student Association and exists to represent the present and long-term interests of the Student Association. The President of the Student Association, three Senior Senators (Senators who have been on Student Government for at least one year), and twelve Senators are elected in the spring to serve terms for the following year. Two Senor Senators, four Senators, a Graduate Senator, four Incoming Senators, and any positions left vacant following the previous election are elected in the fall. The Student Government operates four standing committees, including Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, External Affairs, and Technology and two subcommittees under Student Affairs, including Campus Environment and Campus Diversity. The Student Government is funded by a $2 per semester per student governance fee. This fee is refundable at any time during the semester by filling out a brief survey available by contacting the Student Government Treasurer. To learn more or to get involved visit the Student Government’s Web site at http://senate.truman.edu.

FUNDS ALLOTMENT COUNCIL

The Funds Allotment Council (FAC) is an independent council of Student Senate and is comprised of six appointed members and three elected members. The Council strives to provide educational and entertainment opportunities for students by financially subsidizing activities organized and sponsored by campus organizations. Chartered student organizations planning speakers, conferences, concerts, or other events are eligible to apply for funding. Any FAC-funded event must be open to the entire University community. The Council is funded by a portion of the campus activities fee paid by students each semester. The Council also provides funding to chartered organizations competing in intercollegiate activities.