From the Paintball Association to Glee Club and everything in between, Penn State hosts more than 700 clubs and organizations so that nobody feels left out.

"Getting involved early is the best decision, because if you don't like what you join, you can just join something else without any regrets," Nick Stathes, Undergraduate Student Government (USG) president, said.

A directory of clubs is available at www.clubs.psu.edu, where users can peruse through Penn State's many and varied student organizations.

Also to help students, there is Involvement Week from Sept. 5 to 9, said Deb Dworsky, assistant director for the center for student engagement.

Sept. 5 and 6 is for student organizations and clubs, Sept. 7 is for service and community outreach clubs and organizations, Sept. 8 is for sororities and fraternities, and it ends
Sept. 9 with Fresh Start, a day of community service for freshmen, Dworsky said

Several freshmen said they are already involved or plan to become involved in activities come this fall.

"I want to be an accountant. My friend was mentioning there was some accounting club. Or I can join a club for African-American students," Scott McNeil (freshman-accounting) said.

Andrew Knoll (freshman-biology) said clubs and intramural sports are a good way to make new friends.

"They're important in order to get to know people. I plan to play club water polo come the fall," Knoll said.

Another Penn State club sport is ultimate Frisbee, the sport of Penn State men's team Spank Ultimate and women's Isis Ultimate.

"Everyone who wants to join can join," Caitlin Nutting, Isis captain, said.

Some organizations even offer extra perks to members.

"I just joined the Blue and White Society, which is part of the Penn State Alumni Association. I did it so I could usher the games because I didn't get tickets," Morgan Olson (freshman-immunology and infectious diseases) said.

There are also organizations and clubs for students who are dedicated to service.

Global Medical Relief Program (Globe Med) president Liz Francis said her organization is really into volunteering, learning about new cultures and helping developing countries.

The group raises money through fundraisers and is right now raising money to help create a patient fund for a hospital in Honduras, Nutting said.

Freshmen interested in getting into student advocacy can join the new University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) or USG.

Stathes said USG addresses a spectrum of student issues.

"It really could be something as large as the tuition, or it could be something as small as where a student organization can store things in the HUB," Stathes said.

USG holds elections in the spring where each residence hall elects one to two students to run as a senator. After getting 50 signatures, the student's name will be placed on a ballot and voted on.

Politically savvy students also have a place in the Penn State club network.

Elena Cross, College Democrats president, said her club supports all local and national democratic campaigns and helps bring speakers to campus.

Some of the famous faces that have visited campus include Governor Ed Rendell and director Michael Moore because of this club.

Planning has already begun for the upcoming year.

"We're certainly going try to get Bob Casey on campus," she said.

Seth Bender, College Republicans president, said more than 50 freshmen have already contacted him to express interest in joining the club in the fall.

College Republicans raises support for Republican campaigns and candidates. During the 2004 campaign, George Bush, Sr. came to Penn State.

Offering his advice to the incoming freshmen, Bender said becoming involved in activities, whatever they may be, is essential to a succesful college life.

"You meet some of your closest friends [in these clubs]," he said.

College can also be a place for some people to explore their identities.

SpeakOut, formerly known as Allies, is a group for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender and queer students, SpeakOut President Ed Rowe said.

At the moment, SpeakOut is in the midst of campaigning to add a Queer Studies minor to Penn State's curriculum.

Rowe said he hopes that Penn State can set an example for the nation's colleges.

"If we did this right, I think Penn State could be a leader with Queer Studies," he said.

Freshman year can sometimes be exciting, overwhelming and scary all at once.

By becoming involved, students can help ease the transition for themselves.

"It's essential to your college experience," said Bender.