Activities, Student Groups, & Programs

The Student Activities Coordinator charters most student organizations and groups on campus. Students planning to start a club or organization must register their intent and provide written justification for the group’s establishment by submitting an Intent to Organize form through the Student Activities website, including: 

• A list of at least five (5) currently enrolled Hastings College students

• A statement of purpose,

• A constitution or a set of bylaws,  and 

• The contact information of a Hastings College employee who will serve as the group advisor

An approved student organization charter does not guarantee funding by the Student Association (SA), but qualifies the organization to request funding from SA and to advertise and meet on campus. All student groups wishing to remain active on campus, regardless of interest or eligibility for SA funding, must re-register each academic year through this registration renewal form.

Religious groups wishing to meet and advertise on campus must have the permission of the Student Engagement office  (studentengagement@hastings.edu).

For a complete list of Recognized Student Group or the group’s contact information for student officers and advisors, please visit the Office of Student Engagement Page-Student Activities page. You may also contact, Mikayla Wright, Student Activities Coordinator at hcstudentactivities@hastings.edu.

Student Organizations

Student Organizations are student-led and sponsored groups. They are formed by students currently enrolled at Hastings College who share a common interest or goal.

They must have at least 5 members to charter on campus, abide by all Hastings College policies, meet at least once a month in person or virtually, have a full-time faculty or staff advisor and have an updated registration filed each year.

Examples Include: Black Student Union, Bronco Catholics, Collegian Student Journalism

Academic Honor Societies

Honor Societies are student groups that are centered within an academic department or program. These groups are led by students and often sponsored by faculty members.

They typically have an international or national governing organization, an associated grade-point average, and an invitation process for membership. Honor Societies must follow the same guidelines to maintain recognized status.

Examples Include: Alpha Chi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Psi Ci, Tri-Beta

Performance Groups

Performance Groups are official intercollegiate sport teams and musical groups recognized by Hastings College and run by their respective departments and programs.

They offer countless opportunities for you to use your talents and skills to make an impact with the help of our dedicated faculty and staff. Some groups are open to all students with no audition, others have specific requirements to join.

Examples Include: Marching Bronco Band, Women's Wrestling, Esports

Community Service

Student groups and the director of service learning  can provide experiential learning opportunities for students in the area of community service and civic engagement. Additionally, there are courses that have community service built into the class, and faculty often provide service opportunities.  If interested in service learning or experiential learning for credit, contact Rev. Doodle Harris at doodle.harris@hastings.edu or the Office of Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@hastings.edu.

Fraternities & Sororities

Greek-letter professional and social student organizations, including both general and culturally based organizations, create smaller communities within the larger College environment for the purposes of facilitating growth in the areas of scholarship, personal and leadership development, campus involvement, and community service. 

Multicultural & International

Student groups that facilitate the maintenance of and/or education relating to customary beliefs, social norms, and traits of a racial, ethnic, or social group. 

Peer Education

The peer education groups included in the Peer Umbrella Network (PHIVE-O, SHAC, etc.) are all sponsored by the Health Center. 

Religious & Spiritual

Student groups that serve as a support for students of a particular religious faith, spirituality, and/or denomination.

The Chaplain’s Office coordinates a variety of religious activities on campus, including weekly chapel services, weekly Bible studies, and occasional events that focus on the intersection of faith and current events.  All services and programs are open to all students and employees. Campus religious organizations should respect the Presbyterian heritage and religious diversity of Hastings College, seeking always to promote an atmosphere of openness and respectful dialogue on campus in matters of religious faith and practice.

Special Interest

Student groups that focus on a topic of interest that does not fit into another category are included under special interest. This diverse category includes political, social, special activity groups, as well as club sports. 

Student Government

All students are members of the Student Association (SA), which is governed by an Executive Council and Student Senate. SA plans most student activities (concerts, dances, entertainment, intramurals, etc.), and allocates funding to student groups that request and qualify. Contact Mikayla Wright, Student Activities Coordinator at hcstudentactivities@hastings.edu.

Traditional Events

Welcome Home
Includes orientation and student programming intended to support the transition of first year students into the Hastings College Community.  

Homecoming/Family Weekend
Supported by the Office of Student Activities and the Alumni Association to celebrate the spirit of community at Hasting College.

Traditional Winter Holiday Events
Held throughout November and early December, celebrations include musical events, readings and a campus lighting ceremony. Students, faculty, and administration also join the city of Hastings in kicking off the holiday season, with the downtown “Celebration of Lights.”

Boar’s Head Dinner
A formal dinner for students served by college employees (including your professors!) in celebration of students at the end of first semester. 

A Night of Celebration
The Office of Student Engagement is partnering with your HC DEIB committee and other campus partners to coordinate a special evening to congratulate our International, Asian American & Pacific Islander, Hispanic & Latinx, Black & African American, First Generation, Disability Inclusive, Indigenous, and Lavender graduating students. Although this is not designed to replace the traditional graduation ceremonies hosted at Hastings College, this event brings together students and their supporters in celebrating the rich diversity of our campus

May Fete
The longest running tradition on campus and is planned by the Student Association. The spring festival traditionally includes outdoor games, evening entertainment, Broscar Awards, and the presentation of the May Fete Court.

Celebration of Excellence
Held in the spring semester, Celebration of Excellence consists of Academic Showcase and Celebration Convocation. During Academic Showcase, students, faculty, staff, parents and community members enjoy and learn from fascinating student presentations about individual research projects, experiential learning, study abroad experiences and creative endeavors. Academic Showcase is a chance for students to share their passions and to show off their impressive work. During Celebration Convocation, students are recognized for outstanding accomplishment in departmental studies, co-curricular activities and scholastic achievement. 

Commencement Ceremonies
These include the Baccalaureate service, a senior reception and Commencement. Baccalaureate is held at First Presbyterian Church in Hastings the Friday evening before Commencement, followed by the senior reception for graduating seniors and their families. Commencement exercises are held in Lynn Farrell Arena.

Hastings Multi-Cultural Festival
An annual celebration that brings the college and community together to celebrate its diversity through showcasing the food, music, and dance of cultures present in the city of Hastings. Organizations from the college and the community are encouraged to set up booths showcasing any cultural background and/or to sponsor a group to present a performance at the event. The festival is an effort of HC’s Multicultural Student Union (MSU) in collaboration with the Hastings YWCA and Multicultural Association of Hastings, with assistance from the Office of Student Activities and the Diversity and Inclusion Team.

History Month Celebrations

HC celebrates several inter/national heritage and history month festivities such as Black History Month, LGBTQIA+ History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Women's History Month, and more with special programming such as invited performances and lectures, films, student festivities, and a chapel services planned in coordination with various student groups, the Office of Student Engagement, and the Diversity and Inclusion Team.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

Hastings College offers students many international study options both for full semester, year, and short terms abroad. If you are considering a semester or full-year program, please see your academic adviser.  The application process is time-consuming; so students should begin well before the deadlines below. 

Deadlines for Semester/Year Long Exchange programs:

• October: completed application due for spring semester international study;

• March : completed applications due for fall semester international study.

Specific programs may also have other deadlines, often earlier than the above. 

For more information check hastings.edu/abroad or contact Dr. Kittie Grace, Associate Dean for Academic & Student Affairs, at kgrace@hastings.edu.