Student Organizations

The organizations listed below tend to especially attract and support international students. HOWEVER - we encourage all Wooster students to expand their horizons and participate in ANY group(s) that interests them - or to get organized and create something new!

The Office of Student Activities provides a complete list of chartered organizations; and The Office of Residential Life and Housing provides information about residential program options.

Here are some brief descriptions…

Babcock International Hall is a residential community of about 100 international and American students committed to promoting cultural awareness. The group hosts social and educational programs each week, which include faculty and student speakers, multicultural holiday celebrations, and an annual formal dance. Students who do not live in Babcock can still participate in events, but sharing a room or living down the hall from people from around the world is a fun and easy way to learn about other cultures.

Cricket Club is a student-run club sport. The club organizes internal matches as well as organizing matches with regional teams, including those at Haverford, Wittenberg, Ohio Wesleyan, and Ohio State. There are team dues to cover most of the costs, and players of any skill level, gender and nationality may join.

Dené Multicultural Program Dené is a Native American word meaning "those who see." The program is committed to building a community that respects and appreciates each member for her individual talents, experiences, and cultural understanding. The women of Dené hold regular meetings and sponsor campus-wide programs to challenge prejudices and intolerance and promote interracial relations. The in-house library contains essays, novels, poetry and short stories by writers from all over the world.

International Student Association (ISA) is an organization which celebrates and supports international students on campus. Americans are also encouraged to join. ISA co-sponsors International Week, sponsors "Pit Discussions" on political and religious issues, coordinates social and cultural outings in the area, and hosts an annual Recognition Banquet for International Students. The organization also holds a permanent seat on Campus Council and therefore is able to relay the needs of international students to the appropriate authorities.

Language Suites (Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish) are residential communities dedicated to foreign languages and cultures. Each suite, comprised of 10-15 residents, holds weekly meetings/programs in which the language is practiced. Suites hold coffee hours, movie nights, scheduled lunch meetings, and other fun and educational activities. These activities are not exclusively for suite residents, but they are open for all students, faculty and staff who are willing to speak the language and have interest in the culture. Every suite has a Language Assistant (typically a native speaker) who is available to assist students with both residential and language issues.

Muslim Student Association (MSA) provides support for Muslims students and educates the campus community about Islam. They organize congregational Friday prayers, invite speakers to campus, and work with the Office of Interfaith Campus Ministries to provide transportation to Islamic centers in Cleveland. During Ramadan MSA works with dining services to provide meal options for students who want to fast. MSA has also held Eid dinners on campus.

Proyecto Latino is committed to making the campus community more conscious of people of Hispanic/Latino origin. The organization has co-sponsored speakers and hosted an evening coffee house with Latino music and beverages. Members have also prepared brunches, complete with recipes from Venezuela, Colombia, and Argentina.

Pueblo de Esperanza, meaning Community of Hope, focuses on issues of social justice in Latin America. The two main goals are awareness and action. Pueblo hosts speakers from Latin America and organizes interactive learning experiences. They coordinate campus volunteers to teach English in conjunction with the local Immigrant Worker Project, and promote the inclusion of Fair Trade Coffee on the College campus. The group works as a liaison between the College and other social justice groups in the area.

South Asia Committee brings the culture of the subcontinent to the College, as well as a little bit of home to the students coming from South Asia. The organization has coordinated Diwali celebrations, trips to eat ethnic food, movie nights, and catered dinners. SAC organizes an annual South Asia Week, which is a showcase of culture, dance and food.

UJAMAA, a Swahili word meaning unity, is an organization which promotes African awareness of campus. The group is open to all, engaging in activities that bring about African awareness and celebrate diversity on campus. UJAMAA hosts a variety of activities throughout the year including international speakers, African cooking lessons, African "Jeopardy", and movie nights and discussions. Africa week, which takes place each spring, is an extended celebration of African culture that features a culture show, a dinner, and dance workshops.