Student Organizations

Defender

The Defender is Saint Michael's student-run weekly newspaper, offering news, features, opinions and many other interesting sections that appeal to a variety of readers. The articles are written entirely by student reporters, many of whom are enrolled in news writing classes offered through the Media Studies, Journalism, and Digital Arts department.

Advisor - David Mindich

French Club

The French Club is a student-run group aimed at promoting French culture on the Saint Michael's campus. The club welcomes students of all levels to engage in conversation circles with students, faculty and the French-speaking community. Club activities include trips to Montreal and local programming to experience French culture firsthand.

Advisor - Kristin Juel

Philosophy Club

This club facilitates philosophical discussion through movies, topic-specific debates and computer communication.

Advisor - Patrick Standen

Psychology Club

This club helps to connect interested students to the field of Psychology and to explore professional opportunities through speakers, panel discussions and attendance at conventions.

Advisor - Melissa Vanderkaay-Tomasulo

Science Club

The Science Club is for students of all majors to broaden their scientific experiences and prove that science can be a lot of fun. The club's activities include natural history hikes and field trips to science museums and botanic gardens in Vermont, Montreal and Boston. The club also sponsors lectures by scientists and graduate students sharing their investigations and experiences.

Advisor - Peter Hope

Acabellas

Acabellas are an all-female a cappella group that performs on campus, outside the academic buildings, in the quad, and elsewhere, as well as on stage. They also have performed in the greater Burlington Area at various charitable events.

Advisor: Susan Summerfield

Celtic Knights

This student-run club is open to everyone with the desire to learn Irish Step Dancing. No previous experience is required. You'll learn traditional steps and create new choreography for three or four shows and concerts throughout the year.

Advisor: Patrick Gallivan

Chorale

This performance group specializes in the study and performance of choral literature for mixed voices in a variety of styles. The Chorale has performed in New York City, Montreal, Ottawa and Washington D.C. in recent years.

Advisor: Nathaniel Lew

Drama Club

The Drama Club funds activities for those students who are fine arts majors or simply enjoy the spirit of drama. This club sponsors speakers, trips and student directing projects.

Advisor: John Devlin

Mike Check

This four-part all-men's a cappella choir was originally a barbershop quartet, and now has more than a dozen student members. The group performs on campus and in the greater Burlington area, and have toured in Massachusetts.

Advisor: Brian Lee

Onion River Review

The Onion River Review is a student literary publication sponsored by the English Department.

Advisor: Will Marquess

Photography Club

With 60+ members, Photography Club projects include compiling a book of student photography, organizing gallery shows in the McCarthy Arts Center, and arranging photography workshops.

Advisor: Jordan Douglas

Sleepless Knights

The co-ed a cappella group on campus, Sleepless Knights is a student organization that is dedicated to the promotion of a cappella both on campus and in the community.

Advisor: Cathy Hurst

TAP

A club that gives St. Mike’s students who are interested in tap dancing an outlet for their skills. All levels of experience are welcome. Our primary purpose is to have fun and learn about tap through exploring new combinations and choreographies.

Advisor: Peter Harrigan

Turtle Underground

Turtle was originally an occasional weekend activity in the basement of a North Campus Purtill Hall. It's now a fully funded club that provides an opportunity for St. Mike's students to play and listen to live music in a respectful, safe and positive environment nearly every weekend of the academic year. Turtle also has artists come from around New England to perform as well.

Advisor: James Fraser

Wind and Jazz Ensembles

The Wind Ensemble performs concert and symphonic band music that embraces a wide spectrum of styles. The group performs on campus several times each year and each spring tours though out the Northeast. The Jazz Ensemble performs the music of the big band and swing eras. The group also participates in the spring tour.

WWPV

The student-run campus radio station, WWPV, is run almost exclusively with student DJs and staff. No prior experience is needed - all students are invited to apply.

Advisor: Carey Caplan

Common Ground

Common Ground works to educate campus about issues concerning homosexuality, to create a safe and supportive environment for all students and to sponsor workshops, panels and speakers which address issues of concern to the lesbian, gay and bisexual members of our community.

Advisor: Mark Litchfield

Diversity Coalition

The Diversity Coalition's primary goal is to encourage open dialogue, educational opportunity and the chance to celebrate diversity in all human culture and experience. The Diversity Coalition serves to educate and promote awareness of issues such as gender, race, religion and ethnicity.

Advisor: Moise St. Louis

Fire & Rescue

Fire & Rescue staffs and runs a full-service rescue squad and fire department headquartered on campus. Fire operates as a battalion of the Colchester Fire department, while Rescue covers four area towns. Fire & Rescue answers over 1,300 emergency calls a year. Entry-level training is offered in the fall ansd spring for both units. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn and get involved.

Advisor: Pete Soons

Fix It with Five

This student-led and -funded organization works for systemic change within our community. Backed with a $10,000 grant, we look for charities and organizations within the community that strive for systemic sustainable change and try to form partnerships with them and Saint Michael's.

Advisor: Joan Wagner

Food Justice

This group aims to foster a community in which students make conscious decisions about their food, recognize its origins, and realize its connections to other social issues.

Advisor: Jeffrey Ayres

Founders Society

The Founders Society is Saint Michael’s student ambassador organization. Ambassadors work with the Admission and Alumni Relations staff to foster strong relationships with prospective students and alumni through a variety of campus and off-campus activities.

Advisor: Jeremy Brown

Green Up

Green Up SMC is committed to reversing the effects of global warming and climate change by implementing and pursuing positive energy conservation initiatives on the Saint Michael's campus. These include diverse combinations of education, grassroots activism, live music and visual arts.

Advisor: Heather Ellis-Lynch

Hilltop

The Hilltop publishes the annual yearbook and it an excellent training ground for students looking to hone their organizational, editorial, creative and publishing skills.

Advisor: Christian Camerota

Knight Watch

Knight Watch is dedicated to bringing more student and local community attendance to St. Mike’s athletic events, oster school spirit and support student athletes and athletic teams on campus.

Advisor: Carlos Vega

The Knitting Club

The Knitting Club welcomes new and experienced knitters from all parts of the Saint Michael's community. Join us to learn or share your skills. Bring your own knitting or choose from our service project kits to benefit COTS and the Vermont Children's Hospital.

Advisor: Kristin Hindes

Martin Luther King Jr. Society

The MLK Society is an interracial group dedicated to promoting the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by hosting and sponsoring programs, lectures and workshops, including the annual Martin Luther King Convocation.

Advisor: Moise St. Louis

MOVE (Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts)

MOVE gives students an outlet to serve others in the community through a variety of programs.

Advisor: Heidi St. Peter

Peace and Justice Club

The Peace and Justice Club promotes the dignity of every human person, seeks to develop a justice network with other groups on campus and provides the community with events and programs about issues of peace, nonviolence, justice and equality for all people.

Advisor: Laurie Gagne

Random Acts of Kindness

A group of students whose mission is to speak joy within the Saint Michael’s community through "random acts of kindness" that inspire and motivate others to make selflessness and generosity part of their everyday life. You may find these club members handing out hot chocolate on a cold winter morning or handing out fresh cookies during finals week!

Advisor: Heidi St. Peter

SLAM

A group of students working together with a goal to work for better worker's rights, an economy that values human beings and the environment and dignity for all.

Advisor: William Grover

Student Global AIDS Campaign (SGAC)

The Student Global AIDS Campaign is a national organization that seeks to stop the global AIDS pandemic through advocacy and education. The Saint Michael's chapter has been influential in the adoption of progressive AIDS policies by seven 2004 presidential candidates. SGAC also works with Senator Patrick Leahy '61 to increase funding to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria. SGAC meets bi-weekly to discuss strategies to fight HIV/AIDS in our community and worldwide.

Advisor: Mike Bosia

Student Association (S.A.)

The Student Association is the student governing board of Saint Michael's College. The S.A. is completely run by students, and is charged with setting policy and allocating funds to student organizations on campus.

Advisor: Grace Kelly

VITA

VITA is the student-led peer ministry group committed to ministering to other students through exploring our faith and how it fits into college life. VITA provides weekly small and large group programming, retreats, socials, and sponsored events through Edmundite Campus Ministry.

Advisor: Anna Lester

WWPV

WWPV is the student-run campus radio station. Most DJ's are students and all students are invited to apply for a slot - no prior experience is needed. There are also opportunities to join the staff of WWPV.

Advisor: Carey Kaplan

Cycling Club

The Cycling Club works to introduce new people to mountain and road biking and to field a competitive racing team for both the fall mountain bike and spring road seasons. Club funds are used to make competitive cycling as affordable as possible for students by subsidizing travel and entry fees.

Advisor:  Lloyd Simons

Dance Team

Approximately 14 dancers make up the Dance Team, which performs self-choreographed dances at the women's and men's home basketball games, in addition to acting as a "spirit team" on the sidelines.

Advisor: Lizzyann Moore

Fly Fishing Club

The Saint Michael's Fly Fishing Club is an optional continuum for students who have taken the First-Year Seminar, "A River Runs Through It." The club is designed to make available the necessary means to teach, learn and actively participate in the hobby/sport of fly-fishing. In addition, the club explores the environmental concerns that threaten fly-fishing in the Burlington/Middlebury area, and works to eliminate them.

Advisor:  Bill Grover

Rugby (Men's & Women's)

This club provides any Saint Michael's undergraduate the opportunity to play rugby. Saint Michael's Rugby is a member of New England Rugby Football Union, Rugby-East, and USA Rugby.

Advisor: Zaf Bludevich

Ski and Snowboarding Club

This club connects skiers and snowboarders around their shared interest of enjoying this winter sport. The club annually sponsors a Rail Jam or Jib Fest on campus for the campus community to enjoy. The club is also open to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities who wish to participate.

Advisor:  Karen Popovich

Track Club

The Track Club is devoted to promoting running and field events for students. Club members participate in track and field meets, road races, trail races and marathons. The Track Club welcomes athletes of all abilities, particularly those looking for self-improvement and increased physical fitness, as well as seasoned athletes looking for hard-core competition opportunities.

Advisor: Joe Connelly

Ultimate Frisbee Club

This 25-plus person group hosts tournaments and travels statewide for fun, co-ed community-oriented team competitions. The club has daily practice outside Durick Library at 4:00 p.m. The club focuses on serving up a P-Day Hazy Day Frisbee Tournament and while Ultimate Frisbee is a relatively new organization, frisbee clubs have been playing on the Saint Michael's green since the 1980s.

Advisor:  Greta Pangborn

Water Polo

A co-ed club that provides St. Mike's students with the chance to participate in this challenging, competitive and fun sport of water polo. The club competes in the North Atlantic Club Division of the CWPA. Club members subsidize league dues.

Advisor: Alain Brizard

Honors Program

The Saint Michael's College Honors Program is a vital part of campus life. It provides opportunities and challenges for high-achieving students throughout their Saint Michael's experience. Students are invited into the program as part of the admissions process, or enter the program later based on excellent academic achievement during their first year at Saint Michael’s.

Honor Societies

In addition, Saint Michael’s is home to a number of other national and international honor societies which induct many of our finest students each year. Nine discipline-specific honor societies are also active on campus.