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. See the Fall 2024 weekly schedule here and join the interest list here!

    MEETS: Wednesdays from 6-7:30pm

    LOCATION: Terry Freitas Commons

    CONTACT: coco@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 1st, 2025

    LOCATION: College Nine and John R. Lewis College MPR

    CONTACT: coco@ucsc.edu or @practicalactivism on Instagram


  • Winter Quarter

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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, February 8th - Sunday, February 9th, 2025

    APPLICATION DUE DATE: Application Coming Soon! Complete the Interest Form to receive an email when the ICW application opens.

    CONTACT: Erin Ramsden, eramsden@ucsc.edu


  • 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: TBA

    INFO MEETINGS: TBA

    CONTACT: TBA


  • 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 2024 

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

    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 7-8pm

    LOCATION: Rec Lounge

    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: TBA

    LOCATION: TBA

    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: Thursdays from 6-7pm in Fall 2024

    LOCATION: C9/JRLC Community Room

    CONTACT@lavenderclub9jrl on Instagram