Clubs and Activities

What you do outside the classroom is just as inspiring as what happens inside it.

With so many opportunities to explore, you can follow your curiosity and try something new or build on familiar interests — the journey is entirely yours. No two days at Colgate will look the same, and you can leave with more skills and interests than when you arrived.

Clubs and Organizations

Colgate is home to more than 200 clubs and organizations, ranging from a cappella groups to the Cheese and Culture Club and the Green Earth Gang. Students explore their passions, develop leadership skills, and form lifelong friendships. Opportunities range from casual participation to roles with more responsibility. Don’t see a club that fits your interests? Start a new one.

Get involved

Volunteering and Outreach

The community service Colgate students do really makes a difference — totaling tens of thousands of hours tutoring local students, helping older adults, mentoring children, volunteering with the Hamilton Fire Department, and more. The Max A. Shacknai Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education (COVE) has deep community ties, offering opportunities for advocacy and service on campus, in Hamilton, and across the country.

COVE

Spaces and Communities

Across campus, Colgate has spaces where you can find community and just be yourself. Whether you’re enjoying the quiet sanctuary of Chapel House, relaxing in the Center for Women’s Studies lounge, dropping by one of the many events hosted at the ALANA Cultural Center, or hanging out in the Coop fireplace lounge, you’ll forge connections in these welcoming, open spaces.

Find your space

There's Always Something Happening

Our campus event calendar is full, but here are just a few standout events and activities that happen throughout year.

Students roast marshmallows at the Fall Harvest Festival.

The Raider Pep Band provides spirit, enthusiasm, and of course music at athletic and community events.

The annual student-curated ALANA Multicultural Fashion Show celebrates the art, traditions, and individuality of Colgate students.

Family Weekends offers a chance for families and friends to visit their student on campus.

With 25 NCAA Division 1 athletic teams, there's a variety of games to cheer on the Raiders.

Artists perform on campus during the annual Springfest Weekend to celebrate the end of the academic year.

Dancefest is the much-anticipated twice annual tradition where student dance groups show off their hard work to a packed Colgate Memorial Chapel.

When the first snow falls, students gather on the hills to sled and make snowmen.

The 13 Days of Green, hosted by the Office of Sustainability, encourages student service, education, and action.

Two students pose for photo at Senior Night

The much-anticipated Senior Night at Frank happens each spring in Frank Dining Hall, where seniors receive their Colgate “C” sweaters.

Colgate's music scene is taking off with performers regularly invited to campus, and students bands playing their own shows.

Start the semester at the Student Involvement Fair, your first chance to explore clubs and get involved.

Become a Student Leader

Develop your leadership skills as a member of the Student Government Association, as a club officer, or through participation in workshops and conference opportunities.

Work on Campus

Each semester, there are a variety of student employment opportunities. Meet new people, gain skills, and get paid.

Find a job

Go to Campus Events

Expert guest speakers, battles of the bands, trivia or bingo nights, and film screenings — there’s so much to do. You can also help plan events if there’s something or someone you want to bring to Colgate.

View our events calendar

Explore the Arts

Bring imagination and creativity to everything you do. Colgate students perform in bands and a cappella groups. They dance and make films, and they find inspiration through Colgate-hosted performances, exhibitions, and lectures that expand their knowledge.

Arts at Colgate