Clubs & Organizations
Get Involved
With more than 30 student clubs and organizations, you can be part of a lot of excitement at Manchester. The hardest part is deciding what you’re going to do! Whatever your interest, there’s probably a group that shares your passion at Manchester. And if there isn’t, consider the opportunity to start your own club.
Explore all clubs and organizations at Manchester University at Spartan Life!
Activities & Events
VIAs
VIA stands for Values, Ideas and the Arts – a series of convocations that includes speakers, performers and gifted persons from within the community. It’s an important part of Manchester’s curriculum that exposes students to cultural and intellectual enrichment. You’ll earn credits from attending VIAs.
Move-in Day
Move-In Day is a big day for all student! Everybody here wants to make your transition to be as easy as possible. Upon arrival, you’ll be gleefully greeted by students, faculty and staff here to help you find your room, unload your vehicle, and make sure all of your belongings are in the right place. Then you can begin to settle into your new home away from home!
Garver Shoe Trees
Tradition unlike any other. Seniors who have lived in Garver Hall for the duration of their college career make a “sacrifice” by donating their sneakers to the trees around the building.
Haunted Garver
Each Halloween, local children and families are welcomed into our residence halls for trick-or-treating. Garver Hall takes it to the next level with “Haunted Garver.” The setup is with older children in mind. Residents transform the building into a maze of terrifying twists and turns that will send even the toughest teens running out with their tails between their legs! (All in good fun, of course.)
Intramurals
Do you just want a chance at some fun, healthy, friendly competition? Manchester offers a wide range of intramural activities. Participate in activites such as flag football, soccer, basketball, softball, even euchre! Get together with your friends to quench your need for competition, or just go have a ball!
International Fair/Buffet
Students from countries all over the globe make a home away from home at Manchester. They bring the world to Manchester, and share valuable perspectives. Each year, the Office of Multicultural Affairs sponsors either the International Fair or the International Buffet (alternating years). Both events feature our international students, who proudly share their cultures, traditions, foods and fashion with their U.S. friends.
The Otho Winger Experience
Our professors are rock stars, literally! Every other spring, a group of faculty and staff rock the stage in Cordier Auditorium and wow the campus with their musical talent. The entire campus comes out for this awesome musical experience. And you’ll love seeing a completely different side of some of your favorite professors.
Festival of Trees
Each holiday season, campus organizations decorate a Christmas tree for the Festival of Trees. Decorations often break the mold of typical ornaments and tinsel. Above, an entry by the Accounting and Business Club creates a whole new personality for this tree-turned-businessman.
RHA Casino Night
What’s your game? Blackjack? Texas Hold ’em? Roulette? Put on your poker face for the annual Casino Night, sponsored by the Residence Hall Association. It’s a risk-free evening of gaming and prizes, and everyone goes home a winner!
May Day Weekend
As the end of the school year approaches, May Day Weekend is the biggest event of the year and a great way to unwind and have a bit of fun! Join a team for the trike race, rock out in the Airband competition, or dive in head first into the mud volleyball tournament. Or be a spectator and cheer on your friends. You won’t want to miss meeting up with everyone at the bonfire.
Mud Volleyball
It’s an MU tradition – the annual mud volleyball tournament during May Day weekend. Get a team together with your buds and enjoy some muddy competition! Don’t enjoy mud? Many students come just to watch this hilarious event.
Last Days to Commencement
Each year, the Office of Alumni Relations hosts a banquet celebrating the final days of the senior students’ college career. Seniors enjoy a gourmet meal, music and take home a special gift. The best part is that your food and drinks are served by your favorite faculty and staff!
Theatre at Manchester
Step into the spotlight with Manchester’s vibrant theatre community, where creativity and collaboration take center stage. From student-written plays to musicals and operas, there’s a role for everyone—on stage or behind the scenes.
Love Music? Keep playing and singing
Bring your Music to Manchester
Whether you’re into vocals or instruments, there’s a place for you here. Singers can audition for the A Cappella Choir, Cantabile (women’s chorus), or the select Chamber Singers. Instrumentalists can join the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, or even perform with the Manchester Symphony Orchestra, where students play alongside community members and professional musicians. No music major required!
Multicultural Affairs
Manchester University offers a variety of student organizations that serve as social and cultural outlets for all students. Under the auspices of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, these groups enrich student development by focusing on leadership development, cultural awareness and exchange, as well as academic success. These groups work collaboratively and individually to achieve the following:
- Solidarity and cultural understanding among individuals of differing backgrounds through various educational and recreational programs
- Promotion of experiences that culturally enrich today’s students, such
as forums, speakers, film series, and social activities - Enhancement of leadership ability and academic success of members
via attending and/or conducting forums, conferences and workshops - The dismantling of stereotypes that exist locally and abroad
Student Organizations
There are five (5) organizations that are associated with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and may be of interest to new students.
Jean Childs Young Intercultural Center
The Jean Childs Young Intercultural Center is a welcoming space for all students to study, connect, and engage across cultures. Named after Jean Childs Young ’54—civil rights activist and the University’s first Black May Day queen—the center honors her legacy of leadership, equity, and inclusion.