Student Guide

Student Programs and Activities

Exploring, competing, serving, playing, climbing and worshiping, students in Houghton’s unique set­ting augment their central educational experience through participation in a vibrant community life. The Student Programs Office seeks to enrich the student experience through a varied program of activities. Some of our activities encourage service, some contribute to the educational mission of Houghton College and others are for pure fun. Students have the opportunity to cultivate their leadership skills, to participate in cultural, athletic, co-curricular and spiritual programs and to join/lead one the campus clubs and organi­zations. In addition to a wide variety of campus activities, Houghton’s 1300 acres of woodland offers rich opportunities for exploring on horseback, cross-country skis and hiking trails. Our ropes and initiatives course is used for physical education, leadership development and draws visitors from around Western New York. 

Our rural location both contributes and necessitates one of the greatest distinctives of our students experience—a dynamic, residential campus community.  It is the goal of the Student Programs Office to offer and oversee a comprehensive and vibrant array of activities and opportunities which reflect the ethos of our academic community. 

Student Government Association (SGA)
The SGA, under the leadership of its officers and through its various working committees, provides an opportunity for students to become directly involved in campus decision making. In addition, its members attempt to resolve campus problems and serve as a communica­tion channel between student organizations and faculty, staff, and administration. The Student Government Association creates an atmosphere for the discussion of campus issues and programs that contribute to the growth of each member of the student body.                                  

Campus Activities Board
Works with the Director of Student Programs to provide a wide array of quality on-campus entertainment reflecting the Christian character and geographic setting of our community.

Campus Center
The campus center lounge is first and foremost for the use and enjoyment of Houghton Colleges students, employees, and alumni. Any group using the Campus Center agrees to abide by the policies contained in the Student Organization Handbook. We all have vested interest in keeping the campus center in good appearance and condition. The Campus Center Recreation Room has foosball games, pool, and table tennis are available for college student use. Equipment for these games may be checked out/rented from the Information Center with a college ID card. Programming in this area is managed by the director of student programs.

Clubs and Organizations
While academic excellence is emphasized at Houghton, we realize the important of students being involved in activities to complement their classroom education. Clubs and organizations provide opportunities for students to explore their interests and to take leadership roles.  By being involved in co-curricular activities, students begin to clarify career goals and to understand how their education can be translated into action. You can learn more about these and other groups at the Activities Fair.

Student Organizations

Allegany County Outreach (ACO)
American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
Artists’ Guild
Campus Activities Board (CAB)
Climbing Club
Equestrian Society
Evangelicals for Social Action (ESA)
Gadlfy Society
Global Christian Fellowship (GCF)
Gospel Choir
Habitat for Humanity
Helping Houghton Senior Citizens (H2S)
Heritage Club
Impressions Mime Team
Imitators of Christ
Intercultural Student Association (ISA)
Leadership Council Flats and Townhouses (FaTs)
Leadership Council Gillette
Leadership Council Lambein
Leadership Council Rothenbuhler
Leadership Council Shenawana
Music Educators Club
OneThing Ministries
Paddle Sports
Psi Chi Lambda
Psychology Club
Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC)
Salvation Army Student Fellowship (SASF)
Shakespeare Players
Ski Club
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Student Government Association
Swim Club
Teachers of Today and Tomorrow (TOTT)
Tennis Club
Theological Society
Youth for Christ (YFC)

Club sports
Cheerleaders 
Men's Baseball Club
Men’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer 

Publications
Boulder (Yearbook)
The Lanthorn (Literary publication)
STAR – (Newspaper) 

Communication Systems for Events
All advertising of student organizations events must be approved through the Office of Student Life.  Methods of advertising events on campus:

SCOOP – Dennis Stack

Campus-Wide E-mail – Office of Student Life. Student organizations are encouraged to create and maintain a distribution list of those on campus who are interested in their programming. The director of student programs or the help desk and provide additional information about list serves and distribution lists.

Daily View E-mail – Office of Student Life

Posters – Office of Student Life (Posters may only be placed on bulletin boards in all buildings and must be removed after the event. Due to fire code regulations advertisements may never be put up in stairwells, on dining hall stairs, on fire doors, windows or walls.

 All other “creative” means of advertising must be approved by the director of Student Programs.