Since move-in, you may have seen quite a few groups promoting events or tabling along the breezeway. They offer diverse communities and great ways to get involved at Murray State University, but it can be hard to find the right fit for you.
There are, however, a few low-commitment and accessible hot spots where students can get acquainted with the on-campus community.
Your residential hall
From RH White Residential College to JH Richmond Residential College, each residential hall is its own little neighborhood. Think of your resident assistant like the friendly neighbor who hosts cookouts and invites you to brunch. Part of an RA’s job is to host events for the students in their buildings.
Kane Purdy (they/them), a junior secondary English major, is a second-year RA in Hart Residential College. They said their residents are often underclassmen who can really benefit from the community building that residential colleges offer.
“Going to events, meeting people and forming new friend groups is a huge part of why I feel that Murray State’s culture is so good,” Purdy said. “People will sometimes have a rocky start, but then they get involved with RCC or become a worker here after interacting with people at these events and programs.”
If your RA is the extroverted neighbor, the Residential College Council is town hall. The RCC’s job is to oversee all the residential colleges and look out for the interests of the student community. Purdy said people usually don’t realize residents can approach the RCC with their own event proposals to receive aid and supplies.
“Attending (RCC) allows people to know what’s happening— not only in our building, but around campus with different organizations, including events at Winslow and concerts happening in Fine Arts and Lovett (Auditorium),” Purdy said.
Your academic department
On your way to class, have you skimmed any flyers on the corkboards? Has your Transitions professor plugged the clubs they and their coworkers advise? Many departments have Registered Student Organizations related to their course content, and they are great places to make connections.
Madison Miller, senior public relations major, a is pursuing her degree in the journalism and mass communications department. She has joined TV Club, Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and The Murray State News at various points while in the department. She said department clubs foster community and support between students with similar interests and goals.
“Joining TV Club and PRSSA has furthered my ambitions,” Miller said. “Those clubs create a bridge between learning in the classroom and seeing how those skills come to life in real projects.”
Waterfield Library
Some of these may sound a little too daunting for the start of the school year. Large events and high attendance isn’t everyone’s speed; however, there is somewhere on campus for those seeking a low energy, quiet and versatile space to socialize: the library.
Joshua Lawrence, a senior English literature major, has worked in Waterfield Library as a circulation clerk for the past three years. He said Waterfield’s student spaces— including the newly renovated bottom floor— and diverse foot traffic make it a good place to get connected.
“Everyone is going to go to Waterfield for something, even if it’s just getting a bagel,” Lawrence said. “There are a lot of clubs that meet here. I know the board game club (meets here) for sure; they meet in the gallery.”
Waterfield Wired, the library’s beginning of the year event, was held on Aug. 17 as part of the 2025 Great Beginnings event. Lawrence said International Games Week is also good for socialization with fun group games like Jackbox and Super Smash Bros events. Waterfield hosts these programs twice a year in November— through the American Library Association’s International Games Month— and again in the spring semester independently.
“There’s a lot of things that we do that make it a great place to meet new people, especially if you’re not one to go to any huge events,” he said. “If you’re a little nervous about going into a big social gathering, Waterfield is a good place to go and meet new people without it being too rowdy.”
