Student Life

Gustavus Adolphus College boasts a variety of clubs and organizations that students may join. These groups are divided into the several categories. Contact the Student Activities Office (Ext. 7598) or visit http://gustavus.edu/organize for additional information, for the names of campus contacts for each organization, and for an updated listing of all recognized student organizations.

Organization Registration

All student organizations must register with Student Activities each spring at gustavus.edu/organize/ to maintain their active status on campus.

• To maintain recognized status, an organization must complete required online materials by a specified date, and must send one member to a leadership training session each fall or spring semester. Organizations will then be provided the privileges of a fully recognized organization as outlined in the Recognition Process from the Student Activities Office.
  
• Organizations that do not update their information or do not attend a leadership training session will be placed on "unrecognized" status until all requirements are met.
  
• Organizations may be dropped to "unrecognized" status if financial responsibility is not maintained.
  
• Unrecognized organizations are not allowed the privileges provided to fully recognized student organizations, as outlined in the Recognition Process from the Student Activities Office. Groups that become "unrecognized" for more than one year will then be considered "inactive."

Additional information about campus organizations can be found in the "Campus Organizations" section of the Statement of Students Rights and in the "Student Organization Advisers Policy" section of the Gustavus Guide.

Honorary/Academic

The College has a number of honorary societies. Membership is open to all students majoring or excelling in a particular field of study:

• Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology
  
• Beta Beta Beta Biology
  
• Dobro Slovo Slavic Languages
  
• Eta Sigma Phi Classics
  
• Gamma Theta Upsilon Geography
  
• Kappa Delta Pi Education
  
• Lambda Alpha Anthropology
  
• Lambda Alpha Nu Business
  
• Lambda Pi Eta Communication Studies
  
• Pi Delta Phi French
  
• Pi Kappa Delta Forensics
  
• Pi Kappa Lambda Music
  
• Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science
  
• Psi Chi Psychology
  
• Sigma Delta Pi Spanish
  
• Sigma Pi Sigma Physics
  
• Sigma Tau Delta English
  
• Sigma Theta Tau Nursing
  
• Sigma Xi Scientific Research
  
• Theta Alpha Kappa Religion

Gustavus students may also gain membership in Phi Beta Kappa, the Guild of St. Ansgar, and the Guild of St. Lucia. Other academic-focused groups include:

• Anthropology Collective
  
• Art History Club
  
• Chemistry Club
  
• Communication Studies Club
  
• Gustavus Athletic Trainers Association
  
• Gustavus Literary Society
  
• Gustavus Student Nursing Association
  
• History Club
  
• Math/Computer Science Club
  
• Pre-Law Society
  
• Society of Physics Students
  
• Student Educators Association

Language/Cultural

• Asian Cultures Club
  
• Crossroads
  
• French Club
  
• International Cultures Club
  
• Japanese Club
  
• Ladies for Diversity
  
• OLAS (Orgullo Latino Association)
  
• Pan Afrikan Student Organization
  
• Russian Club
  
• Viking Society (Scandinavian Studies)

Literary/Media

Students interested in participating in a media-based organization may wish to lend their time and talent to one of the following groups:

• Firethorne Literary/Art Magazine
  
• GAC-TV
  
• Gustavian Weekly Student Newspaper
  
• Gustavian Yearbook
  
• Heterodoxy Feminist Literary Magazine
  
• KGSM Radio Station

Sports and Recreation

In addition to a strong varsity and intramural sports program, Gustavus offers several club sports and other recreational groups. Contact Larry Zelenz at Ext. 7699 for the most current listing.

• Gustavus Equestrian Team
  
• Lacrosse Club (men's and women's)
  
• Martial Arts Club
  
• Racquetball Club
  
• Rugby (men's and women's)
  
• Synchronized Skating Club
  
• Ultimate Frisbee (men's and women's)

Awareness

• ASAP (Action Supporting All People)
  
• "Building Bridges" Diversity Conference
  
• Gustavus Greens
  
• Peer Assistants
  
• Queers & Allies (GLBT Organization)
  
• Womyn's Awareness Center

Greek/Social

The Greek system at Gustavus is made up of nine recognized fraternities and sororities representing approximately 15 percent of the student population. Students with a sophomore or above status and a 2.2 minimum grade point average are welcome to pledge.

• Co-ed:
  
  • InterGreek Senate
    
  • Order of Omega Honorary Society
• Fraternities:
  
  • Epsilon Pi Alpha (Eppies)
    
  • Nu Upsilon Gamma (Greys)
    
  • Phi Alpha (Alphs)
    
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon colony (SAE)
    
  • Tau Psi Omega (Reds)
• Sororities:
  • Chi Kappa Chi (Chi Kapps)
    
  • Delta Phi Omega (Deltas)
    
  • Sigma Sigma Sigma (Sigmas)
    
  • Tau Mu Tau (TMs)
    
  • Theta Xi Gamma (Thetas)
    
  • Zeta Chi Phi (Zetas)

Service

• Alpha Phi Omega
  
• Amigos
  
• Big Partners/Little Partners
  
• Elders Program
  
• Gustavus Ambassadors
  
• Gustie Buddies
  
• Habitat for Humanity
  
• Spring Break Work Trips
  
• St. Francis Society Pound Pals
  
• Study Buddies

Religious Community

• Chapel Apprentices
  
• Chapel Dancers
  
• Chapel Musicians
  
• Chapel Procession Leaders
  
• Chapel Readers
  
• Christian Faith Advocates
  
• Communion Assistants
  
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes
  
• Gustavus Youth Outreach
  
• Hallamallah
  
• Men's Christian Fellowship
  
• Newman Catholic Center
  
• Prepare Ministries
  
• Proclaim

Special Interest

• Anime & Manga Association
  
• Campus Activities Board
  
• College Democrats
  
• College Republicans
  
• Gustavus Film Society
  
• Gustie Greeters
  
• "I Am . . . We Are" Theatre Company
  
• GAC Swing Dance Club
  
• Gustavus Gaming Society
  
• LineUs Improv Group
  
• Music Council
  
• ROTC
  
• Senior Class Gift Committee
  
• Students Helping Integrate Fair Trade (SHIFT)
  
• Students in Free Enterprise
  
• Student Senate
  
• Studio Art Club

Asian Cultures Club

Students of various Asian cultural backgrounds gained official recognition for their student group in the spring of 1992. The self-realized purpose of this organization is to expand the understanding of the Asian cultures and to celebrate the multitude of diversity within the racial grouping as well as within the community. The group welcomes all interested students, regardless of racial background. Officers are elected annually to schedule activities, offer support to members, and provide an interactive setting.

Intercollegiate Athletics

The men and women's athletic programs are administered and conducted under one comprehensive set of standards to treat all student-athletes fairly and equitably.
All student-athletes must achieve and maintain "eligibility." Fulltime students who meet eligibility standards are eligible to compete in intercollegiate athletics. First-year students are eligible for varsity competition.

Gustavus holds membership in the MIAC (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) and the NCAA (Div. III), as well as the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association for gymnastics competition.

Questions specific to a particular sport should be directed to the head coach of that sport. General questions may be presented to Al Molde, the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.

International Cultures Club

The International Cultures Club strives to bring international and American students together to promote international awareness and acceptance of cultures. ICC organizes a variety of events: an annual international festival, excursions to cultural events, cooking of ethnic foods, and more. All interested students are welcome to join by contacting the Center for International and Cultural Education.

Intramural Sports

It is the aim of the Athletics Department, through the Intramural Program, to provide an opportunity for every Gustie to participate in some type of fitness activity, competitive sport, or recreational activity as frequently as his or her interest, ability, and time will permit. The program includes a wide range of team and individual sports and activities.

For more information, call Larry Zelenz, Director of Intramural and Club Sports, at Ext. 7699, or visit the IM office in Lund Center.

Music Ensembles

Gustavus prides itself in the variety and excellence of its music ensembles. All students are encouraged to audition for and participate in group performance studies. Listed below are the major campus ensembles. For a more complete description, consult the college catalog or the online Music Student Handbook.

• Adolphus Jazz Ensemble
  
• Birgitta Singers
  
• Brass Choir
  
• Chamber Brass Ensembles
  
• Chamber Singers
  
• Chapel Brass
  
• Choir of Christ Chapel
  
• Early Music Ensemble
  
• Flute Choir
  
• Guitar Ensemble
  
• Gustavus Choir
  
• Gustavus Jazz Lab Band
  
• Gustavus Philharmonic Orchestra
  
• Gustavus Symphony Orchestra
  
• Gustavus Wind Orchestra
  
• Handbell Choirs
  
• Lucia Singers
  
• Percussion Ensembles
  
• St. Ansgar's Chorus
  
• String Chamber Ensembles
  
• Trombone Choir
  
• Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble
  
• Vasa Wind Orchestra
  
• Woodwind Choir
  
• Woodwind Ensembles

Orgullo Latino Association of Students

The goal of Orgullo Latino Association of Students (OLAS) is to provide students, other members of the Gustavus community, and the St. Peter community with a venue to learn about Latin American and Spanish cultures. OLAS seeks to develop awareness of the history, language, and traditions of Latin American and Spanish countries through activities and events that promote cultural interchange.

Pan Afrikan Student Organization

The goal of the Pan Afrikan Student Organization (PASO) is to promote all of the diverse aspects of the African diaspora. This diaspora includes Afrikan descendants of the world across geographic boundaries, political ideologies, and ethnic differences. The organization seeks to expand the dialogue relative to the Afrikan experience, and also plans activities and programs that "reach out" culturally and socially to the campus community.

It is the mission of the group to celebrate the multitudes of diversity within the diaspora. The group welcomes all interested students regardless of racial and ethnic background. Officers are elected annually by the members of the organization to serve each academic year. Bi-weekly meetings are scheduled for planning informal gatherings and lectures, to offer support to members, and to provide an interactive setting open to members and the campus community. In addition, the organization sponsors special programming (i.e., book reviews, study sessions, advising, etc.) at the PASO House.

Theatre and Dance

The mission of the Department of Theatre and Dance emphasizes the value of performance as a vital means of working for social justice and personal transformation. The department's performance events entertain and challenge Gustavus audiences with dynamic, innovative productions; its program prepares students for graduate study and/or professional work in the fields of theatre and dance, and provides them with experience and confidence with collaboration, creative imagination, self-expression, problem-solving, critical analysis, and empathy—abilities crucial to every walk of life.

Dance
Within the dance curriculum, students have the opportunity to study modern dance, ballet, jazz, dance history, and dance composition. The Department of Theatre and Dance currently offers a dance major and minor.

There are two student dance ensembles. The Matching Tights Dance Company, a modern-based company known for its facility in performing many different styles, offers advanced technique classes and works with distinguished faculty and guest artists. The Apprentice Company provides interested students the opportunity to study modern dance technique and perform in student-, faculty-, and guest-choreographed dances. Both ensembles also work with liturgical dance. The Department of Theatre and Dance annually produces a student choreographers' showcase, titled "Shared Space," in the fall, and a formal Spring Dance Concert that showcases choreography by guest artists, Gustavus faculty members, and students.

Auditions for returning students are at the end of each academic year. Auditions for first-year students are held during New Student Orientation. For additional information, contact Michele Rusinko at Ext. 7351.

Theatre
The theatre program provides students with courses in acting, directing, design, technology, arts management, history, theory, and performance for social justice. A theatre major and minor and a social justice theatre minor are available to interested students. The department annually produces three to four mainstage theatre productions in the Anderson Theatre. There are also opportunities to be cast in a number of experimental works and one-act plays performed in the Black Box Theatre. Every other year the department collaborates with the Department of Music to produce a musical. Students are involved in every aspect of play production, working as designers and technicians as well as actors. A student-led social justice theatre troupe, called "I Am . . . We Are," provides opportunities to create and perform original theatre projects.

Campuswide auditions are held at the beginning of each semester—usually during the very first week of classes. You do not need to be a theatre major to audition! Audition times and information are posted on the callboard across from Room 219 in Schaefer Fine Arts.
There are opportunities to become involved assisting with costumes, scenery, lighting, or running crews. Students who would like to be involved in this area should contact the Department's Technical Director, Terena Wilkens.

Womyn's Awareness Center and Social Justice Coalition

The Gustavus Womyn's Awareness Center is a group of students dedicated to increasing community awareness of women's needs, contributions, and potential for growth and service. The center's underlying assumption is that the advancement of women will benefit all of society—women, men, and children. A key annual event is the "Take Back the Night" march/celebration, an evening of awareness and support for victims and others affected by sexual assault or violence.

The office in Johnson Student Union houses a collection of resource books, novels, magazines, and files on a variety of women's issues including women's music and theatre, speakers, pornography, birth control, politics, careers, and volunteer work. These are available for general reading and are valuable resources for papers, projects, and reports.
The Center also provides a variety of activities for the Gustavus community. These activities have included visiting women musicians, political figures, community members, speakers, plays, and art displays. Information is available on major events in Mankato and the Twin Cities, along with transportation to feminist concerts, speakers, and other activities supported by the Womyn's Awareness Center. Also housed in the Womyn's Awareness Center are Queers & Allies and Gustavus Greens. Together these groups form Action Supporting All People (ASAP).

Students interested in becoming active or supporting members for any of these groups can call or stop by. Membership is open to all students, faculty, and staff—women and men.