Penn State York Penn State University

Penn State York provides various co-curricular activities for the personal, social, cultural, and recreational needs of students. The Student Center is the hub of these activities. Within the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center are the Student Affairs Office and the Student Government Association (SGA). Both Student Affairs and SGA sponsor many campus activities (usually at no charge) including plays, concerts, lectures, and more.

As a student you are encouraged to participate in these activities and to join groups that share your interests, since being involved in campus life is an important part of your college experience. Listed below are names of the currently active clubs and organizations on campus. Click on the name of a group you are interested in and you will be linked to a short paragraph explaining what the group is all about. If the club/organization has it's own Web page, you can access it as well. You may view the dates and times of scheduled clubs and organizations meetings on the Clubs, Committees, and Organizations calendar.

If you don't see a club or organization that is of interest to you, you can start your own group. You can now download the New Club Packet (requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader) for starting a new club. For more information on how to start your own club or for club/organization contact names, see Scott Simonds in the Student Affairs Office.

Student Government Association (SGA)
SGA is the representative voice of the student body. Composed of an elected senate of freshman, sophomore, junior and senior senators, it deals with campus-wide issues and governance to promote student welfare. SGA is the organization that charters student clubs and organizations. Any group who wishes to start a new club must go through the SGA in order to gain approval. SGA also acts as an advisory body to all chartered organizations on matters such as rules and policies and fund disbursement. They act as a coordinator of club and organization activities, programs, and events. In addition, SGA sponsors activities, programs, and student forums which allow for the fullest expression of student opinion.

For more information about SGA, visit the SGA home page.

Adult Student Meetings
Meetings are held at noon on the first Monday of each month while classes are in session. This offers adult students the opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and discuss concerns with Penn State York staff.

Asian Culture Club (ACC)
The Asian Culture Club offers members the opportunity to learn about Asian culture through programs, food, customs, and activities. The ACC has sponsored an Asian comedy show, a Chinese New Year celebration, and an Asian Tea Festival.

Belly Dancing Club
The Penn State York Belly Dancing Club introduces students to this unique form of dance. Club members practice dance moves, take dance instruction, and go to an authentic belly dancing performance each month. Members of the club have performed at Unity Day, a campus celebration of diversity.

Biology Club
The Biology Club is a group of students who are interested in career opportunities in the biology and life sciences area. Students examine novel research findings, take field trips to local laboratories and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, and speak with professionals in the life sciences careers.

Black Student Union (BSU)
The BSU provides an academic and social network for the black student population and the celebration of African American culture. Goals of BSU members include: developing leadership skills; becoming culturally aware; participating in activities that assist the community; and beginning the process of career planning. BSU sponsors a number of campus activities and programs including: an African American cultural festival; an African American poetry reading; community-wide discussions on racism; and a number of fundraisers.

Campus Programming Board (CPB)
The Campus Programming Board is comprised of students who are interested in planning programs and activities for the student body. There are no special skills required to be involved with the board, just a willingness to "get your hands dirty" and make things happen on campus. CPB has sponsored coffee houses, movies, comedians, lectures and trips. If you are interested in finding out more about the CPB, email the adviser at sfs9@psu.edu.

Cheerleading
Any full-time male or female student with school spirit and enthusiasm is invited to try out for the Penn State York cheerleading squad. Cheerleaders are dedicated to supporting their varsity teams while looking to the student body for additional support and school spirit.

Christian Fellowship Organization (CFO)
CFO offers individual and shared experiences of a religious nature. CFO also works closely with the York County Council of Churches.

Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG)
The York campus SGA is a member of CCSG, a University-wide organization whose membership includes the SGAs of all the Penn State campuses. Six times a year, local delegates attend statewide conferences and workshops to develop, coordinate, improve, and promote the academic and co-curricular activities program of the University; to train and maintain a cadre of student leaders at each campus; and to improve the lines of communication among the Penn State campuses. CCSG Web Site.

Foreign Policy and Debate Club
The Foreign Policy and Debate Club participates in regional and national Model United Nations competitions. The team has traveled all over the east coast, including Cleveland, Dayton, Philadelphia, and has even competed at Harvard University. If you like to debate and have an interest in government or politics, then Foreign Policy and Debate is for you!

Hispanic Student Association (HSA)
HSA is a club open to all students interested in celebrating and learning more about Spanish cultures. HSA has been active in a variety of programs and events including: sponsoring a Hispanic Heritage Week, attending conferences at University Park & Harrisburg, and participating in campus open house programs.

IST Club
The IST Club is a certified chapter of the National Organization of ACM, an accepted and known group throughout the computing industry. The IST Club works to assist in the development of individuals who are interested in computing. Students do not have to be computer science majors to join. All one needs is an interest in computing. The IST Club also holds monthly seminars on graphics, the Internet, Web pages, programming in several different program languages, and the general improvement in the knowledge base of members and others within the campus community.

Lambda Sigma Delta (Keystone Honor Society)
This society works to stimulate interest and participation in student activities; to encourage academic, service, and social pursuits; and to provide for recognition of the all-around student. To be invited for membership, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 and must have been a member of an organized student activity for a minimum of one semester.

Lion Ambassadors
The Penn State York Lion Ambassadors are current students who promote the campus to prospective students, their parents, and the community. Besides being a part of the SGA, the group works closely with the Admissions Office. Activities include campus tours, fundraisers, and social events on behalf of the school. Members are expected to keep a 2.5 GPA. View the Lion Ambassador's home page.

Nittany News (campus newspaper)
Penn State York's Nittany News strives to inform students, faculty, and staff of academic, social, cultural, and athletic news on the campus. Published monthly during the fall and spring semesters, the newspaper provides opportunities for students to serve as reporters, writers, advertising sales representatives, and layout persons. Contact: Barbara Dennis <bhd5@psu.edu>

Outdoor Adventure Club (ODAC)
The Outdoor Adventure Club enjoys a multitude of activities in the outdoors, including hiking, biking, caving, and camping trips. ODAC has sponsored overnight camping trips to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asseteaque Island, and other locales within the region. If you like the outdoors, you'll love ODAC.

Rainbow Paws
Rainbow Paws promotes awareness of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community to the general population of the York campus. They provide a safe, welcoming environment where members of the student body, who also identify themselves as a member or friend of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community, may gather without fear of violence or discrimination based on sexual orientation. If you are interested in finding out more about Rainbow Paws, send a confidential e-mail to sfs9@psu.edu

SCROUNGE
SCROUNGE takes computer donations from local businesses and refurbishes them. The computers are then distributed to nonprofit organizations in the community. Visit the SCROUNGE web page.

Veterans Club
The purpose of the Veterans Club is to assist veterans in adjusting both academically and socially to collegiate life. If you are interested in finding out more about the veterans on campus, e-mail Pat Hoffman at plh4@psu.edu