Student Organizations
A Capella Groups
Pomona has a number of a capella groups that provide music and entertainment throughout the year. Some of the groups are all men or all women while others are co-ed. Some are composed of Pomona students, other are five college. Currently, the Men's Blue and White, the Women's Blue and White Shades, and Midnight Echo maintain an active campus presence.
Athletic Teams and Club Sports
Pomona College supports an extensive program of intercollegiate, intramural, and club sports for men and women. Men's intercollegiate sports include football, basketball, soccer, water polo, cross country, track and field, baseball, swimming, golf, and tennis. Women's intercollegiate teams compete in volleyball, basketball, cross country, tennis, swimming, softball, water polo, track and field, and soccer. Club sports include badminton, bicycling, fencing, lacrosse, rugby, sailing, skiing, and men's volleyball. The intramural athletic program provides competition in basketball, softball, badminton, soccer, beach volleyball, volleyball, inner-tube water polo, table tennis, tennis, squash, racquetball, flag football and ultimate frisbee.
For details about teams, intramurals, or club sports and use of facilities contact Mike Gravagne. He will assist club sports teams in scheduling fields and facilities for practice and competition. To be eligible to use a Claremont College field or facility or to receive funding assistance from the associated student governments, all club sports must register with Mike Gravagne at the Club Sports Office. The office is located in Rains Center.
Ballroom Dance
The Claremont Colleges have a championship Ballroom Dance program. Each semester quarter credit courses are offered through the Physical Education Department at the beginning and intermediate level in several genres of ballroom dance. These courses are open to all Claremont Colleges students. In addition, the Claremont Colleges Ballroom Dance Company has both a campus team and a traveling team for which interested students may try-out. The teams host parties and competitions, and give concerts each year. The traveling team has won The National Championship in 3 of the last 4 years.
Debate Union
The Debate Union, a 5-C program, is the largest college debating society in the nation and among the most successful. Students participate in intercollegiate competitive debates and professional communication events, featuring public debates, roundtable discussion, town hall meetings, public affairs cable television broadcasts, national and international academic conference presentations, public speaking and legal clinics, and secondary school educational outreach projects. No prior experience is necessary to join. Students have won three national debate championships and placed in the nation's top ten for more than a decade. In the past year, students received awards at international contests in Germany, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
The Debate Union schedules more than 35 debate contests annually. In addition, students staged more than 100 public events; participated in academic conferences in China, Turkey, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and the US; and supported the nation's largest debate educational enrichment program, providing public speaking and argumentation training to thousands of middle and high school students in socially and economically marginalized communities throughout Southern California.
Pomona students actively participate in Debate Union programs and have been important to its success. In the past year, for example, Pomona students taught argumentation and traveled in China for 2 weeks, won the Asian Debate Championship in Seoul and finished second at the German Open Debate Championship, placed in the top five in national debate competition, and participated in a score of public debates and roundtable discussion on campus and in the community. The director is John Meany, john.meany@claremontmckenna.edu.
Greek Life - Fraternities
From the early days of the College, Pomona has sponsored a system of local fraternities. Currently there are three fraternities: Kappa Delta (all men), Nu Alpha Phi (co-ed), and Sigma Tau (all men). The Interfraternity Council (IFC) is the representative body for all social Greek organizations on campus. The fraternities and IFC organize a number of service projects each semester.
Greek Life Regulations
The Student Affairs Committee has created the following regulations for all social Greek organizations:
Initiation: Fraternities may not invite initiates, nor initiate new members until the second semester of the new member's first year or later. In the second semester, initiation must take place after March 1, in order to give students time to consider their choices. Alcohol is not permitted during initiation. Fraternities must file dates and general plans for initiation with the Associate Director of the Smith Campus Center, including information about whether or not the faculty advisor will be present. If the faculty advisor will not be present for initiation, the Associate Director may visit the initiation.
Membership: All fraternities must limit their membership to Pomona College students. Membership lists must be provided to the Office of the Campus Center and Student Programs and to the IFC each semester.
Voting Procedures: After open discussions, elections to membership should be made with the faculty advisor present. The voting procedure may require for election votes of 80 percent of the members present, or, if fewer than 15 are voting, three votes less than unanimity.
Advisors: Every Greek organization must have a faculty advisor who is expected to play a prominent role in the organization's activities, including participating in the planning of initiation activities. The organization's annual statement of purpose must be signed by the advisor. Recognizing that it may be beneficial in maintaining connections with the community and in organizing community service projects, advisors to the various fraternities are encouraged to meet on occasion to discuss fraternity activities.
Alcohol Education: Prior to rush, all registered members of each fraternity shall participate in an alcohol education program that will include a review of current College alcohol policy. The program shall be arranged by the Office of the Campus Center and Student Programs.
Recruitment: Each semester, before rush, fraternities must hold at least one open house on campus, where prospective members may learn about the traditions, goals, and existing membership of the fraternities in which they might be interested. These open houses must be broadly publicized.
Statements of Purpose: Every Greek organization, in order to be registered, must annually submit to the Office of the Campus Center and Student Programs a form that includes a statement of purpose. It must be signed by each member and the faculty advisor. This Statement of Purpose will outline the fraternity's responsibilities to the community and their intended activities for the year, and will serve as the basis for periodic fraternity reviews. This form will be kept on file by the staff person who serves as fraternity liaison.
Withdrawal of Registered Status: The College holds each Greek organization responsible for the actions of its individual members at the group's events. Antisocial behavior attributable to the collective action of the organization or antisocial behavior of individual members related to such group action may result in the revocation of the group's official status. The Judiciary Council has jurisdiction over fraternity violations of College policy.
Disbanded Organizations: Any Greek organization officially disbanded by the College may prepare a new statement of purpose and apply to the SAC for official recognition once again. The SAC has full discretion as to whether or not to grant recognition again in cases where it has been withdrawn. If relevant, misconduct in connection with a disbanded organization may be viewed as an aggravating circumstance in the instance that a student is called before the Judiciary Council on other grounds. This policy does not modify the general rule that if student organizations-recognized, unrecognized, or officially disbanded-act in ways severely detrimental to the well-being of the College community, the organization and their members may be subject to disciplinary action.
Fraternity Funding: ASPC funds may be available to assist Greek organizations with those events that are held for the benefit of the College community. Such events must be open to all students, on campus, non-alcoholic, and non-profit.
Hillel-Jewish Student Union
Hillel at the Claremont Colleges serves Jewish students, faculty and staff at Pomona as well as the other colleges. Through its religious, social, cultural and community service programs, Hillel aims to build and nurture a pluralistic Jewish community, to provide opportunities for Jews on campus to meet one another and to explore the various meanings of Jewish identity. Hillel activities, which are open to all students, include Wednesday social lunch, Shabbat services and dinners, lectures, holiday celebrations, and events co-hosted with other campus groups. Students are encouraged to become involved in Hillel programming. Some student-initiated groups which have begun from Hillel are: Klezmont, a Klezmer band, an American-Israel Relations group, and a Jewish acting group. Hillel works with the 5-College Jewish Student Union to co-sponsor programs. Rabbi Leslie Bergson is the Jewish Chaplain and Hillel Director. Hillel is located at McAlister Center for Religious Activities.
Hui Laule'a
E Mahele i ka no'auao o ko kakou ho'olina e ola mau. Translation: Share the knowledge of our heritage that it may continue. Hui Laule'a is a 5-College student organization open to all interested students of the Claremont Colleges. Hui Laule'a strives to "enrich the cultural and educational experiences of the Claremont Colleges," exposing the Claremont community to the Hawaiian subculture through events such as the International Festival, Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Week, and of course, the annual luau.
International Club
The International Club is a 7-College student organization dedicated to building international and intercultural understanding and friendship. Membership is open to all. The I-Club sponsors discussion groups, speakers, trips, social events, and, with International Place, co-sponsors orientation programs for new students, a weekly Thursday Lunch and Conversation on global issues, a Fall International Banquet, and a Spring International Festival. For information, contact I-Place.
Korean American Students Association
The Korean American Students Association is an organization which seeks to promote awareness of the Korean culture in the general college community. KSA sponsors study breaks with authentic Korean food, Korean American speakers, and participates in the International Festival, Asian Pacific Islander Month, and local community and intercollegiate KSA activities throughout the academic year. KSA also collaborates with other student organizations on the five campuses and Claremont Graduate School students in partaking in various social functions. For more information, contact the Asian American Resource Center.
Model Arab League
Model Arab League is a student leadership development program supported by the National Council on US and Arab relations. Participants learn about the politics and history of the Arab world and the art of diplomacy. As representatives of the Arab League's 22 member states, delegates work to achieve consensus on questions diplomats wrestle with daily. The yearly January through April events include 2,500 students and 200 universities and secondary schools and are held in 14 cities.
Model UN
The model UN has as its mission understanding of the United Nations and contemporary world problems. Sudents who participate in the programs do background research in issues that are within the purview of one of the UN's 25 Committees and Commissions. In April of each year, Pomona students travel to New York City to join college and university students from five continents and diverse cultural, religious and social backgrounds for a five-day conference. The conference simulates UN debate and decision making processes in topics that range from the status of women to economic, social and cultural rights.
MORE
MORE, or Multiracial Organization Redefining Ethnicity, is dedicated to providing a positive environment for mixed race and transracially adopted students and their allies at the Claremont Colleges. MORE not only works as a system of support for mixed race and transracially adopted students, but also with the campus community as a whole in order to encourage discussion and diversity. For more information, contact MORE at MORE4747@yahoo.com or look for their events on campus.
Mortar Board
Mortar Board is a national honor society of college seniors. The society recognizes in its members the qualities of superior scholastic ability, outstanding and continual leadership, and dedicated service to the College and community. The society was founded to recognize and encourage leadership among senior women. It now admits both woman and men and its goals include the promotion of equal opportunities among all peoples. The following are some of the projects that Mortar Board members organized and presented last year College Bowl Finals Care Packages The Oxfam Fast Bridge the Gap Activities with the Crippled Children's Society (Abilities First) Baby-sitter rosters After Hours Cafe Beach-Cleanup Goodwill Boxes Additional projects are created as individual members initiate them. Nominations for membership are made by the faculty and the students of the junior and senior classes; election to membership is conducted by the current members, based upon scholastic and service criteria established by the national Mortar Board organization. For information, contact Neil Gerard at the Smith Campus Center.
Muslim Student Association (MSA)
The MSA is a 5-C student run organization, and serves a vital function at the Claremont Colleges being the sole organization for students of Muslim background. Our mission is to provide a support system for students of Muslim background and faith at the five colleges, by organizing events geared towards providing a sense of community for the Muslim students at the Claremont Colleges. Our events try to highlight the rich cultural aspects of the various Islamic traditions from around the world, as well as allowing a safe space for students of Muslim background to express their faith. We also reach out to the five-college community through our events which are open to all students. Holding events with other religious organizations at the 5-C's to promote inter-faith interaction and awareness is central to our mission.
On the Loose (OTL) Outdoors Club
On the Loose is a five college organization which supports and coordinates outdoor activities such as backpacking, rock climbing, camping, sailing, and skiing. Outdoor activities are organized and led by qualified well-trained student leaders. OTL also conducts an extensive equipment loan program, offering sleeping bags, tents, stoves, water filters, climbing gear and more for organized trips. Membership is open to everyone, and there are no fees for participation on most trips. To get involved, contact Zak Silverman, the OTL Coordinator for 2006-2007, at extension 72351 or visit the offices in Walker Lounge.
Pan African Student Association
The Pan African Student Association coordinates educational, cultural, and social programs on campus and in the community. Activities include conferences, speakers, social activities, and community outreach programs. For more information, contact PASA at the Office of Black Student Affairs.
Vietnamese American Student Association
The Vietnamese American Student Association is a 5-College association formed with the primary purpose of promoting awareness of Vietnamese cultural traditions, ethnicity, and social activities. Current and past issues involving Vietnam are also addressed. Activities include trips to Little Saigon in Westminster, service to the Vietnamese community, public lectures, dinners, cultural exhibits, and opportunities to meet and interact with other VASAs in the area. Monthly study breaks are held in which informal discussions are encouraged and upcoming events are organized.