Student Groups

College Nine recognizes the importance of providing opportunities for our students to shape their environment and develop leadership skills. Student-driven groups, advised and supported by staff, have a primary role in planning and programming student activities.
Find the group that is right for you and explore international and global perspectives, contribute to your community, and develop leadership skills.

    Fall Quarter

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    Slugs 4 Self-Care

    Slugs 4 Self-Care meets weekly to discuss and implement self-care practices for students.

    MEETS: Thursdays at 7:15pm

    LOCATION: in-person at Terry Freitas Commons

    CONTACT: s4sc.910@gmail.com

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    Intercultural Community Weekend (ICW)

    ICW is a biannual overnight retreat where College Nine and John R. Lewis College students deepen their awareness and connection to College Nine's theme of International and Global Perspectives. Through interactive exercises and small group discussions, students are given the opportunity to learn more about themselves and others and develop intercultural sensitivity and awareness.

    Visit the John R. Lewis College website to learn about Social Justice Community Weekend — an overnight retreat centered around John R. Lewis College's themes of Social Justice and Community.

    RETREAT DATE: Saturday, November 19th, 2022 - Sunday, November 20th, 2022

    APPLICATION DUE DATE: Friday, November 4th at 11:59pm (apply here)

    CONTACT: Erin Ramsden, eramsden@ucsc.edu


  • Fall and Winter Quarters

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    Practical Activism Conference Planning Team

    The Practical Activism Conference is a daylong, student-led conference with speakers, organizations, and hands-on activism sessions. The conference is planned by a group of dedicated students who meet weekly in Fall and Winter Quarters. Student planners receive 2-units that fulfill the PR GE-Requirement for each quarter they participate.

    DATE: Saturday, March 2nd, 2024

    LOCATION: College Nine and John R. Lewis College MPR

    CONTACT: practicalactivism@gmail.com or @practicalactivism on Instagram


  • Spring Break

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    Alternative Spring Break (ASB)

    Make a difference during spring break in the city of Watsonville, Santa Cruz County! Join a team of dedicated UCSC students working together for social justice and stronger communities.

    DATES: Friday, March 22nd, 2024 - Wednesday, March 27th, 2024

    INFO MEETINGS: TBA

    CONTACT: Linnea Beckett, lbeckett@ucsc.edu


  • Year-Long

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    Community Garden Class and Club

    The College Nine & John R. Lewis College community garden class and group allow students to engage in a collaborative design process, learn hands-on skills and community gardening best practices, coordinate garden work days, strategize outreach, and build regenerative social and ecological systems. 

    CLUB MEETS: Fridays from 12-2pm in Fall 2023 (Winter Quarter times coming soon!)

    LOCATION: College Nine & John R. Lewis College Garden (across from the Rec Lounge and Terry Freitas Cafe)

    CLASS MEETS: TBD

    CLASS LOCATION: TBD

    CONTACT: 9gardenclub10@gmail.com or @ourgarden9.jrl on Instagram

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    College Nine Student Senate

    Student Senate is the College's governing body. It appoints students to campus and college-wide committees, advises College administration on policy development, and provides monetary support to student organizations.

    MEETS: Thursdays at 6:30pm

    LOCATION: via Zoom (get the meeting link by completing the '22-'23 Interest Form)

    CONTACT
    c9senate@ucsc.edu or @c9senate on Instagram

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    PRAXIS: Student Volunteer Community

    PRAXIS is a student-led organization geared toward community building and social justice. Each month PRAXIS members engage in a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout Santa Cruz County and neighboring communities.

    MEETS: Thursdays at 5pm (sign up for the mailing list)

    LOCATION: Social Sciences 1, Room 213

    CONTACT: ucscpraxis@gmail.com or @ucscpraxis on Instagram

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    Lavender Club

    Come celebrate and strengthen the queer community at C9/JRLC with this group open to all LGBTQ+ students and allies!

    MEETS: Bi-Weekly (odd weeks of the quarter) on Wednesdays at 3-4pm

    LOCATION: TBA (join the mailing list for meeting updates)