UC Santa Cruz offers a variety of opportunities for students to get active and engaged in campus life. Many students find that getting involved in organizations and activities enhances their academic and social lives, helps them build supportive communities far from home, test-drives their leadership skills, and helps them build their resumes or graduate school applications.

Through involvement in student government and campus-wide, UC-wide, or departmental committees, students at UCSC can also help shape their own university -- both for today and for future generations.

Get Involved in the Residential Colleges - Opportunities for leadership, volunteerism, co-curricular activities

Get Involved in Research - Undergraduate research programs and many opportunities to work with your professors in their labs or studios

Join an Academic Society - International, national, statewide, and UC-wide honor societies and co-curricular programs

Join a Student Organization - Over 100 student organizations -- including fraternaties and sororities -- centered around issues, activities, beliefs, and identities

Try an Internship or Fieldwork Experience - Internships, fieldwork, and exchange programs, both in the U.S. and abroad

Express Yourself through the Arts - Art exhibits, musical groups, concerts, films, and plays

Get Active in Sports - NCAA Division III athletics, sports clubs, and intramurals

Participate in Student Government - Many opportunities for leadership through the Student Union Assembly

Work Part Time - On- and off-campus positions and more internships available through the Career Center

Volunteer - Ways to give back to your community and participate in service learning

Connect with a Resource Center -

• African American Resource and Cultural Center (AARC)
• American Indian Resource Center (AIRC)
• Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center (AA/PIRC)
• Chicano Latino Resource Center (El Centro)
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex Resource Center, Lionel Cantú
• Women's Center

Students speak from their hearts about what student organizations have meant to them:

Student Video