Organizations and Activities

Involvement in the University community is central for many students to getting the most from a college experience. The co-curricular aspect of a university-level education provides opportunities for growth and development that complement and enhance a student’s in-class learning. UTC provides many opportunities to become involved in campus life through over 120 active student clubs and organizations. All of the student organizations listed have specific purposes, goals and/or functions. Also, each organization sponsors many programs, activities and social functions every year. Many of these activities have become a traditional part of the activities calendar including the Greek Show, Homecoming, Student Government Association events, ACE movies, lectures, art shows, and recitals. Even with the many in existence, new and experimental programs are also scheduled yearly, particularly under the auspices of the Association for Campus Entertainment. Through a highly diversified program, the individual student has many choices of interests and activities.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) at UTC is an active and vital campus organization. SGA provides funding to student organizations, gives initial approval to new student organizations, serves as a link between the student body and the administration, enacts legislation concerning current campus issues, and provides other valuable functions and services for the students at UTC. In addition, the SGA recommends students to serve on faculty committees including, but not limited to, parking, curriculum, scholarship, and admissions. Student members have both a voice and a vote on these committees. Student Government may sometimes act as a complaint board or as an information referral for students. SGA also provides a major portion of the entertainment on campus including concerts, dances, and movies. Every student is a member of SGA and is represented on the Student Senate by 27 senators who are elected by academic schools or colleges. There are three executive officers: President, Vice President, and Treasurer. Each is elected from the student body at large. The SGA Secretary is appointed. Fourteen senators are elected during the fall semester and 13 during the spring elections. To be eligible to run for an SGA senate seat a student must have and maintain an institutional cumulative GPA of 2.00, be currently enrolled and taking 12 semester hours (undergraduate) or nine semester hours (graduate), have completed at least 12 hours of class work at UTC and not be on disciplinary probation. To be eligible to serve as an officer of the SGA, one must meet this requirement plus additional conditions specified in the SGA constitution.

All interested students are welcome to attend the weekly SGA meetings. Students who wish to become involved in SGA are advised to go to the Dean of Students Office, 399 University Center, or the SGA offices located on the first floor of the University Center.

Fraternities and Sororities

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has nine national fraternity and seven national sorority chapters presently active on campus. Specific rules and regulations concerning these organizations are available in The Student Handbook.

Sororities—National sororities having chapters at UTC are Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Chi Omega, Kappa Delta, Sigma Gamma Rho, Sigma Kappa and Zeta Phi Beta. The Panhellenic Council and NPHC are the governing bodies for all sororities on campus. It fosters cooperation, goodwill, and friendliness among sororities and non-sorority groups, plans recruitment activities, and administers regulations governing sororities. The National Panhellenic Council provides action strategies on matters of mutual concern.

Fraternities—National fraternities with active chapters on campus are Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Upsilon, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Mu Alpha, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Sigma Chi. The Interfraternity Council (IFC) and NPHC regulate affairs for the fraternities on campus. It establishes and administers rules governing rushing, pledging, and initiations of fraternities and encourages cooperation and harmony among its members.

Academic and Interest Clubs

Academic and interest clubs are numerous and varied on the UTC campus. They range from the Art Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes to the Rowing Club. Many varied fields of study, professions, and interests are represented. Each year several new organizations are added to adequately reflect student interests and needs. If you do not find the one you are looking for, you can begin a new club yourself. Students are advised to consult with interested faculty members or members of the Student Development staff for help in getting a new group started.

Membership in departmental and interest clubs is typically open to all interested students. Information regarding a particular group can be obtained from the faculty/staff advisor or through the Student Development Office. Also, watch the campus bulletin boards for notices concerning meetings and other programs. Rules and regulations regarding meeting, membership and more are available in The Student Handbook. Additionally, The Student Handbook contains a list of faculty sponsors/advisors for these academic and special interest clubs.

Honor Societies

Honor societies recognize service, leadership, or academic achievement. Although these groups are often identified by Greek letters, they are different in nature from social fraternities and sororities. Although some restrict membership to upper-class students, a few recognize students as early as the second semester at UTC. Information regarding a particular group can be obtained from the faculty/staff advisor or through the Dean of Students.

Major Campus Organizations

The following campus organizations are open to all interested students and are large, active, and have been well established on the campus for many years. Membership information can be obtained through the faculty/staff advisor or through the Dean of Students office. The Student Handbook contains a list of faculty sponsors/advisors for these organizations.

The Association for Campus Entertainment (ACE) is UTC’s campus programming board. ACE works hard to bring events students want on campus from street signs and free aqua massage to Welcome Week and Casino Night. ACE meets every Wednesday at 4:30 in the University Center. Visit online at www.utc.edu/dos/ace for more information.

The Black Student Association is organized to promote a better interracial relationship between students on the campus, to become better involved in social and academic activities of the University, and to act as a medium between members of the organization and other organizations on campus.

The International Student Association’s purpose is to augment friendly communication among people of different cultures and to help international students adjust, while extending its services to the community.

Interested students may become “tapped” into one of the service organizations whose members volunteer their services for University and community functions. Members are chosen on the basis of service, leadership, and loyalty. The Student Handbook contains a list of faculty sponsors/advisors for these academic and special interest clubs.

Circle K is an international college organization sponsored by the Kiwanis International to promote service projects on campus and in the community.

Mortar Board is a college senior honor society whose main purpose is service to the campus community. Mortar Board members aim to support the ideals of the University, to advance a spirit of scholarship, to recognize and encourage leadership, and to provide service.

Rotaract Club is an international organization sponsored by the Rotary Club. The purpose of the organization is to develop leadership on campus and to promote service.

The Student Alumni Council is composed of 40 members who work closely with the Chancellor and the Director of Alumni Programs to promote the interests, ideas, and goals of our University. SAC strives to instill in all students a sense of continuing responsibility to UTC.

The Student Orientation Team assists in orientation programs for new students and other programs of the Admissions and Orientation Office.

Religious Organizations

The religious life of the University is represented by both centers and organizations presenting a varied program of worship and community service.

CRU: Campus Crusade for Christ - CRU was started in 2007 at UTC and meets on Thursday nights in the Grote Hall Auditorium at 7:00. Our desire is to help students ponder and grow in a relationship with Christ. To Learn more go to www.chattanoogacru.com.

The G.A.P. Ministry (an acronym for God’s Action Plan) is a campus ministry committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ, providing an atmosphere of worship and spiritual revelation where college students can discover who they are by becoming closer to God. Get in The G.A.P. through our weekly Bible studies, small groups, community service projects, mentoring programs and Christian leadership training. For more information please email our campus minister, Michael Douglas at mdouglas@utcgap.com.

The House: University Ministries of Chattanooga: Our mission is to bring college age people in the Chattanooga area to a deeper knowledge and love of Jesus Christ, and to equip people for ministry. Our worship service meets at The Vine, the worship center on the corner of Oak and Houston, every Tuesday night at 8:00. We serve lunch on Tuesdays at The Hub, 650 McCallie Avenue (in the basement of First Christian Church). Small group Bible studies are led by our staff and alumni. Concerts, cookouts, retreats, mission trips, service projects are all a part of what we do. We are supported by a number of local churches, and our students come from a number of different church backgrounds. Please see our website at www.thehouseutc.org, or call our office at (423) 752-9407.

The Baptist Collegiate Ministry is located at 540 Vine Street, across from the Boling Apartments. Our center is open each day from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. Anyone looking for friendship, fun and encouragement is invited to participate regardless of denominational or religious affiliation. Consider joining one of our “Family Groups” that meet each week for encouragement, Bible study and fellowship. We also provide a drop-in lunch each Wednesday (11:00-12:30) provided by area churches and have worship each Thursday evening at 8:00. All programming is planned and led by students for students. Contact the campus minister, Steve Roper, at 266-5121 for more information or visit our website and Facebook page, www.chattanoogabcm.com and “UTC BCM.”

The Jewish Student Union is the liaison between the Jewish community and the students and faculty. Social, cultural, religious and educational activities are open to anyone in the University community. The Rabbi of B’Nai Zion Congregation is available to respond to questions regarding the practices and philosophy of Judaism and to aid the needs of Jewish students. B’nai Zion Congregation is located at 114 McBrien Road, and the telephone number is 894-8900. Mizpah Congregation is available for responding to the needs of Jewish students on the UTC campus. Mizpah Congregation is located at 923 McCallie Avenue. Please contact Rabbi Bill S. Tepper at (423) 267-9771 or rabbi@mizpahcongregation.org for further information.

Canterbury Club (Episcopal University Ministry and Student Center) is located at 305 W. 7th Street at Pine, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37402. Contact Fr. Bob Leopold at leopold@stpaulschatt.org or (423) 266-8195 for counseling and other information.

The Christian Student Center is sponsored by the area Churches of Christ for the benefit of all students, faculty and staff. This Center is located at 609 Houston Street, near the Arena and Boling Apartments. Facilities offer a comfortable place for relaxation, study, or recreation. Emphasis is upon fellowship through devotionals and Bible classes. The Christian Student Center is open daily from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. The Center serves lunches on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and supper on Tuesday evenings. Contact Jerry Cox at (423) 267-4488 for more information.

The Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) is the campus ministry of the Presbyterian Church in American (PCA). There is a large Group Bible Study that meets every week on Thursday nights at 8:00 in the University Center. In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in small group Bible studies throughout the week as well as various social events and conferences during the semester. Contact RUF campus minister, Jason Little, at (423) 648-7934 or (423) 595-3755 for more information.

The United Methodist Campus Ministry is housed in the Wesley Center at 607 Douglas Street. They provide opportunities for friendship, intellectual and spiritual growth, worship, and community service through a broad range of activities. Weekly lunches are served on Wednesdays by various local churches. The campus minister leads discussion groups on topics of current interest such as Bible study, preparation for marriage, personal relationships, social problems, and Christian thought. A leadership team plans and coordinates all the student-oriented regular activities as well as special events such as retreats, service projects, fund raising, and parties. The center is open from 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday and at nights and on weekends as announced. The United Methodist campus minister is Keith Moore (423-266-3691).

Student Media

There are four major student media organizations at UTC, being staffed and produced solely by UTC students. The University Echo (student newspaper), Sequoya Review (literary magazine), The Perch (internet radio station), and Mocs News (student television) are governed by the Publications Board. The Board’s policies are described in the Manual for Student Publications.

The University Echo takes an active role in campus life. It serves the university community not only as a ready source of campus news and other information of interest to college students, but also as the medium through which both student and faculty opinions can be presented, discussed, and recorded. Published weekly under the editorship of students, the Echo is supported by the University and is distributed free to all students and faculty. Interested students may apply for positions on the staff in reporting, editorial (news, features, and sports writing, copy reading, etc.), business (advertising, sales, bookkeeping, etc.), or layout/design capacities by coming by the Echo offices in the University Center. The Echo also welcomes individual student’s letters.

The UTC literary magazine, the Sequoya Review, is published once yearly and has won many regional and national awards. All students, faculty, and administration may submit material to be considered for publication. This material should be in the form of poetry, short stories, art work, photographs, or essays. The Sequoya Review editor and staff may be contacted through the Student Development office or through the English Department.

The Perch (http://www.utc.edu/ThePerch/) is the newest addition to UTC’s group of student media organizations. The station began transmitting in March 2009. It features a mix of music with the hope of adding news, talk, and other programs in the future. Students are encouraged to get involved with the radio station by either serving as on-air personality or helping behind the scenes with programming, promotions, engineering, or management.

Mocs News (http://www.utc.edu/MocsNews/) is the student television program at UTC. Mocs News is shot at the Television Studios on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Mocs News is produced by students, for the students of UTC and for the Chattanooga Community. Mocs News hopes to provide a student’s perspective of news whether it is campus news, local news, or even national news. If you have any questions, or want to know how you can contribute to Mocs News, please stop by the student media offices in the University Center.

Eligibility for Athletics

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga believes strongly in athletic competition. The University also believes that academic and other standards must be maintained by all students regardless of their extracurricular activities.

1. Only regular full-time students (those carrying 12 hours per semester) are eligible for participation in intercollegiate athletics.
2. A student athlete must be making satisfactory progress toward a degree as set forth by the current NCAA and Southern Conference manuals.
3. Transfer students must meet current standards set forth by the NCAA and Southern Conference organizations.
4. Head coaches are obligated to inform the individual students of the NCAA regulations and all students must abide by these regulations.
5. A student may not participate in intercollegiate athletics until his/her eligibility is certified by the Athletics Compliance Office, the Records Office and the Faculty Athletics Committee.

Intramurals/Club Sports

Intramural activity programs sponsored by the Campus Recreation Department on the UTC campus encourage students to manage, direct, and participate in physical activities as part of the learning process. Students may participate as individuals or as part of a team through fraternity, sorority, or independent organizations. Competition is keen with the winners receiving awards to document their accomplishments. Intramural activities include badminton, basketball, flag football, golf, inner-tube basketball, racquetball, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, wrestling, table tennis and indoor soccer. The Intramural Office is located in the Aquatic and Recreation Center. Office hours are 1-5 p.m., Monday-Thursday. The telephone number is (423) 425-4213.

Bands, Orchestra, and Choral Activities

Various opportunities are open for students who wish to use and to develop their musical abilities. The Chattanooga Singers, the Chamber Singers, Women’s Chorale, Men’s Chorus, Opera Theater, and summers only Master Chorale are open to all students. An audition is required to participate in the Chamber Singers, Opera Theater, and the Master Chorale. Instrumentalists may participate in the UTC Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Pep Band, and the Jazz Ensembles. An audition is required to participate in the Symphony Orchestra and the Jazz Bands. Small ensembles, such as the Percussion Ensemble, Tuba Euphonium Ensemble, and Chamber Winds are available for advanced students. An audition may be required.

Music scholarships (Performance Grants) are available to all qualified UTC students, regardless of major. Applicants audition for the Music faculty, and recipients are required to participate in the appropriate ensemble for their instrument or voice. Recipients may also be required to enroll in applied instruction. Interested students should contact the Department of Music at (423) 425-4601, or visit www.utc.edu/music.

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