Get Involved
Here at RWU (Roger Williams University), we have a strong belief that the college experience includes more than just attending classes. We believe that our students have the ability to find ways to make a difference, bring excitement through our events, and creative positive change throughout the greater campus community.
Getting and staying involved is one of the most important things you can do while in college. According to research completed by Center of Student Life at Ohio State University, Student participation in clubs, campus organizations, or any other involvement on campus is associated with positive outcomes in much of the higher education and student affairs literature. Studies have shown that college student involvement is related to positive academic performance, cognitive development, well-being, leadership, and multicultural awareness.
We support all types of involvement, from being a member of a student organization, a club, to conducting research with a faculty member, or going on an Alternative Spring Break trip. It does not matter how you are involved; we simply want to see you find your place here in Bristol!
We talk a lot about community here at RWU, and there is no better way than getting involved in student clubs, organizations, and programs to connect to the many distinct types of students here on campus. We know that getting involved helps you discover new friends with similar interests, or you find ways to challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone. Have fun and add your special and unique personality to our campus culture!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
Find Your Passions
We know that your college experience will be richer if you are involved. Don’t be afraid to try something new! If you don't like it, move on, and discover a new passion! Perhaps you are looking to explore a new area of study or career field; joining a student organization along those lines is a great way to learn about it before becoming committed. Can't find a group with a purpose that defines where your interests lie? That's okay! It is very easy to start your own student club and more than likely there are lots of other students here with the same passions.
Learn New Skills
We know that you are here to study, get a degree and then begin your career as a member of our workforce. When you go to apply for internships and your first career out of college, what is going to make you look like a more qualified candidate? Our clubs and organizations provide a fantastic opportunity for you to develop leadership and teamworking skills, work with real world vendors, artists, and agencies in our local community, and take what you learn in the classroom and practice it in real world programming, fundraising or problem solving.
Student Media
At RWU, student media is more than just our YouTube channel and University-sponsored video snippets. Our students run the radio station, create short stories and poetry, publish a newspaper, use filming, audio recording, and editing tools to create an on-campus news broadcast, and create their own digital shorts. With state-of-the-art technology like green screens, a broadcast room, and editing suites available on campus, students can create just about anything you can think of.
Mount Hope, RWU's student magazine, is published twice yearly at Roger Williams University in Bristol RI.
The Hawks's Herald is RWU's student-written, -edited, and -printed newspaper. All the RWU news that's fit to print...and then some.
Hawk Link
Hawk Link is a centralized web host platform that connects students to organizations, programs, and departments on campus.
Hawk Link has been built using the latest technologies to create an online community for Roger Williams students to improve communication, information sharing, and collaboration between students, faculty, and staff. Hawk Link can streamline day-to-day operations, minimize paper usage, increase student engagement, and track all co-curricular involvement data. SPLO can utilize the data collected in Hawk Link to assess the impact of student involvement and co-curricular programming on overall student success and retention.
Hawk Link allows Student Senate-Chartered Clubs and Organizations to:
- Be sustainable by moving all organization forms online for easy access and storage of collected data
- Complete SPLO forms for room reservations, van requests, supply requests, and special events
- Promote events using the Calendar feature
- Communicate with group members or other groups via email, discussion board, or text message
- Store files for easy officer transitions from year to year
- Create an organizational website
- Browse all registered student organizations and recruit new members
- Click here for the Hawk Link main page or type in the following: hawklink.rwu.edu
- Click "Sign Up" in the upper right corner of the Hawk Link main page
- Enter "Roger Williams University" (this will bring you to the University portal)
- Sign in to the system with your campus ID
- Browse through Organizations and start joining
- Visit the SPLO page to learn more about what’s going on throughout campus
Roger Link
Roger Link is our new all-encompassing App.
Within Roger Link, students can connect with organizations and clubs on campus, as well as directly communicate with their peers on campus! Start making connections on Roger Link now by searching "Roger Link" on the app store, or by going to the Roger Link website.
What does this mean for my organization?
This provides more visibility for your organization. Utilizing the tools in the Roger Link app you will be able to broadly publish your organizations events, meetings, and purpose.
What is the difference between someone “following” my organization and “requesting to join”?
If someone is following your organization this means that your organization and organization's posts will show up in their Feed. Simply, it means they are interested in getting updates for what your organization is doing. If someone requests to join your organization, it means they would like to explore membership into your organization.
What if I am in the Law School or on the Providence Campus?
Events and organizations can be filtered to see just the events happening on your campus. For events go to the events tab by clicking "Events" in the bottom navigation bar. From there click the filter button in the top right by the search bar. Using the branch drop down, select your campus, click "done," then click "apply filters." For organizations, navigate to the organization search page using the "Discover" bar in the bottom navigation bar. Click "Orgs." From there click the filter button in the top right by the search bar. Using the branch drop down, select your campus, click "done," then click "apply filters."
How can I access my event pass?
When you open the app click on the three horizontal bars in the top right corner to open your user drawer. Click "Event Pass."
What is the difference between profiles and pages?
Profiles are linked to individual users. Pages represent organizations on the app. If you are an admin of an organization page, you can post on behalf of that organization in addition to posting as yourself.
Do I have to be a student to access the app?
No, but you must have an SSO within the RWU community. All users must sign in with their RWU (@students or @rwu) credentials.
Can I create an event, form, etc. using Roger Link?
No, at this time you will still need to utilize the web browser of Hawk Link to create your events, forms, etc.
Can I take event attendance using Roger Link?
No. All student's event passes will be on their Roger Link profile. If you would like to track attendance you will still need to use the Event Check In App.
How do I create a group chat in general or for my organization?
To create a group chat, go to the chats feature and click the blue plus button in the bottom right hand corner. Follow the prompts to create your chat.
Who can I add to a group chat?
You can add any user to a group chat even if you're not connected with them. Users can leave a group chat at any time. If you're not connected with a user in your group chat you can communicate with them in the group chat, however you cannot direct message them.
Who can direct message me?
Only users from your network can direct message you. If you ARE a Primary Contact of an organization on Roger Link - anyone can message you.
How do I connect with other users?
Go to the Discover Page and click People. Then, click the discover icon on the top right, which will take you to a page with new potential connections as shown to the right.
What happens when I connect with another user?
When you connect with another user, they will receive a notification about your request and can choose to approve or deny it. When connected, you can direct message that user, and their posts will appear on your My Network feed.
How do I edit my profile?
Go to your profile button on the bottom navigation bar and click "edit" next to "about."
How do I make a post in the feed?
Go to the home page of the app. Click the blue plus button in the bottom right hand corner to craft your post. If you want to post as your organization, click the "posting as" drop-down button to select your organization (otherwise you will post as yourself).
How often should I post?
In general, we recommend posting about 3 times per week to keep your feed current. If you have an engagement experience to share, always share it. Try to post at least once a week to show you and your organization are active.
Reporting inappropriate or inaccurate content.
If you identify a post as inappropriate or inaccurate, you can report it by clicking the three information dots on the post shown to the right, which will prompt you to submit a report. Reports go to the app admin, developers and Student Programs, Leadership, and Orientation for review