The vibrant social, cultural, and recreational aspects of campus life at Northern Michigan University are made possible through the activities of over 170 student organizations and numerous extracurricular programs. Activities include drama, art, athletics, music, lectures, concerts, stage performers and special events. Students are encouraged to broaden the scope of their educational experiences through participation in student organizations and by attendance at activities sponsored by various groups within the university community.

Student Discretionary Activity Fee

This fee is collected during fall and winter semesters from all graduate, undergraduate, and vocational students carrying six or more on-campus credit hours. See Tuition and Fees section of this bulletin.

The student newspaper (The North Wind), the student radio station (WUPX), and student government (ASNMU) receive a pre-established portion of the Student Discretionary Activity Fee. Northern Arts and Entertainment, Platform Personalities, the Student Art Gallery and Campus Cinema receive earmarked portions of the money available to all student organizations. Other registered student organizations may request money from the remaining portion of the Student Activity Fee fund for sponsorship of such programs as lectures, concerts, and films, which are open to the student body. The Student Finance Committee, an all-student group appointed by student government, is responsible for decisions regarding budget requests from registered student organizations.

The Dean of Students Office is responsible for administering the Student Activity Fee and for providing an advisor to the Student Finance Committee. This advisor and the staff of the Student Activities and Leadership Programs Office are available to assist student organizations in requesting Student Activity Fee funds.

Student Activities and Leadership Programs Office

Complete information on NMU student organizations is available from the Student Activities and Leadership Programs Office. This office has responsibilities in several major areas of extracurricular and co-curricular student life at NMU, including:

1. coordinating services for the 200 student organizations that register annually;

2. advising the major student programming organizations. These student groups are responsible for planning and implementing two major film series, concerts, lectures, novelty-variety programs, and traditional events such as homecoming, winterfest and discovery days;

3. coordinating the NMU Volunteer Center, which links students and student organizations with opportunities to make a difference in the local community;

4. coordinating a multifaceted leadership initiative that includes:

1. the student leader fellowship program, recognized as one of the most unique and innovative leadership development programs in the country. Each year it welcomes 50 new students into an intensive two-year community-based leadership experience;

2. the leadership scholar program;

3. the Leadership Lessons! Active workshops for tomorrow's leaders program focuses on the development of leadership skills specific to the different academic disciplines available on campus;

4. the Skill Builders! workshop series which provides over 50 leadership workshops each year that are made available to the general student body;

5. the Leadership Library, a unique collection of books, articles, video tapes and group exercises designed to enhance leadership and organizational development.

5. the service learning initiative, which provides support to faculty members interested in bringing service-learning opportunities into their classrooms.

Students who are interested in making their college experience everything that it has the potential to be are encouraged to contact the Student Activities and Leadership Programs Office.
 

Academic Organizations

The following student organizations are affiliated with academic departments. Membership is open to all students interested in experiences related to their future careers, developing relationships with faculty and other students with similar academic interests or simply finding out more about a potential career. Activities typically include field trips, internships, special speakers, study groups, and social events.

• Accounting and Finance Club

• Alpha Kappa Psi

• American Marketing Association

• Art Students League

• Association of Information Technology Professionals

• Aviation Maintenance Club

• Business Professionals of America

• Chemistry Club/Moles 'R' Us

• Constructors

• Criminal Justice Association

• Culinary Students of NMU

• Economic Student Association

• Environmental Science Organization

• French Club

• German Club

• Hair Razorz

• Health Promotion Society

• Media Alliance of Communication Students

• Model United Nations

• Mudslinger Club

• Music Educators National Conference

• National Association of Industrial Technology

• National Student Speech, Hearing, and Language Association

• Organization for Outdoor Recreation Professionals

• Passages North

• Physics Club

• Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Club

• Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club

• Public Relations Students Society of America (PRSSA)

• Rangers Club

• Spanish Club

• Student Athletic Training Organization

• Student Council for Exceptional Children

• Student Dietetics Association

• Student Law Forum

• Student Michigan Education Association

• Student Nurses Association

• Student Practical Nurses Association

• Student Psychological Association

• Student Social Work/Sociology Organization

• Superior Geography Club

Campus Ministry Association

The Campus Ministry Association is an ecumenical association of clergy and other appointed ministers which coordinates the campus ministry program and provides opportunity for worship, study, and fellowship to students, faculty, and staff. Programs include discussions in residence halls and other on-campus locations; premarital seminars; personal, marital, and values counseling; and social events. Membership in this association includes Baptists (American Baptist Convention), the Catholic Community of NMU, the Lutheran Campus Ministry, and the United Ministries in Higher Education (Episcopal and United Methodist).

Community Service Organizations

Several student community service organizations provide community service as their major function. These services can be of a campus, local community, national, or international scope.

• Alpha Phi Omega

• Circle K International

• Golden "Z" Club

• Lions Club

• Student Leader Fellowship Program

• Volunteer CenterForest Roberts Theatre

Drama Activities

The Forest Roberts Theatre at NMU can boast of being one of the leading undergraduate theatre programs in the state. With a job placement rate of over 90%, it is little wonder why students from all over the U. S. participate in the theatre program here at Northern Michigan University. Students from all majors are encouraged to participate in main stage and lab/studio productions at the Forest Roberts Theatre. Each show offers opportunities to gain experience in acting, assistant directing, stagecraft, lighting, costumes, and makeup.

Each season there are five main stage productions; a comedy, a musical, a “classical” show, and an annual production of the Christmas musical Scrooge. Scrooge is cast from NMU students, faculty, administrators, and the entire Marquette community, and also serves as a fund raiser for the First Nighter’s Club. The First Nighter’s Club is a booster organization that supports theatre students’ activities and provides additional funding for equipment and each season’s exciting productions. Probably the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding production of the season is the Forest Roberts Theatre's play writing award winner. Each year over five hundred scripts from all over the world are submitted here to the Shiras Institute/Mildred and Albert Panowski Play Writing Award. The winning playwright is awarded with a cash prize of two thousand dollars, and a fully mounted production of their script. The award winner is important to the Forest Roberts Theatre in two very special ways; the first is that it allows the Forest Roberts Theatre to give the new play its “World Premier,” and it is also our entry in the American College Theatre Festival.

Theatre at NMU is an exciting way to learn, meet new people, and most of all have fun. We hope that students take advantage of the many opportunities the Forest Roberts Theatre has to offer. For more information call 906-227-2553.

Governing Boards and Councils

Student government is a key element of student life at NMU. Governing organizations facilitate participation in a number of areas that affect students’ educational and extracurricular experience. Meaningful involvement in student government also contributes to the development of leadership and small group process skills.

• All Student Judiciary

• Associated Students of Northern Michigan University (ASNMU)

• Campus Apartments

• Community Advisory Boards

• Greek Council

• Interfraternity Council

• Panhellenic Council

• Residence Hall Councils

• Student Finance Committee

Greek Organizations

Most of the Greek organizations at NMU are affiliated with national organizations. The basic and common purpose of both the sororities and fraternities is to serve as social organizations through the unity of brotherhood and sisterhood, with emphasis upon scholastic achievement, leadership, and community service. Coordination and cooperation between member organizations is provided through the Greek Council.

Fraternities

• Lambda Chi Alpha

• Tau Kaapa Epsilon

Sororities

• Alpha Gamma Delta

• Alpha Xi Delta

• Kappa Beta Gamma

• Phi Sigma Sigma

Honor Societies

The honorary societies at NMU recognize academic excellence as well as potential for success in specific career fields. Their activities are often instrumental in promoting student interest in particular fields of study. Each society maintains specific criteria for membership.

• First Impressions

• Gamma Theta Upsilon (geography)

• Golden Key National Honor Society

• Mortar Board (senior society)

• Phi Alpha Theta (history)

• Psi Chi (psychology)

• Pi Omega Pi (business education)

• Sigma Tau Delta (English)

• Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society

Intercollegiate Athletics

Intercollegiate athletics are an integral part of the total program at NMU. The university is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC), the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Association (GLIAC).  NMU competes at the Division II level in all sports except Ice Hockey, which is Division I.

Sports offered are men’s basketball, football, hockey, golf, and women’s basketball, volleyball, swimming/diving, soccer, cross country running, alpine and nordic skiing and tennis. Information on sporting events are listed on the Northern Michigan University Wildcats Web Site.

Hockey

• 597 wins

• 50 former NMU players drafted by the National Hockey League (NHL)

• Seven NCAA tournament appearances in the program’s 25 year history

• 1991 NCAA Champions

Football

• 1975 NCAA II  National Champions

• Nine playoff appearances, advancing to the quarterfinals three times.

Men’s Basketball

• Eight NCAA II Tournament appearances since 1979, including two straight (1999 and 2000)

• 1999-2000 CLIAC Champions

• Posted winning record in 13 of the last 16 seasons under Head Coach Dean Ellis

Women’s Basketball

• Eleven NCAA II Tournament appearances in the last 12 years

• Two appearances in the NCAA II Elite Eight (1996 and 1998)

• 1998 NCAA II Semifinalists

• 1999-2000 GLIAC Champions

• 14 straight winning seasons under Head Coach Mike Geary, the winningest coach in NMU history

Women’s Volleyball

• 1993 and 1994 NCAA II Champions

• 1992 and 1995 NCAA II Finalists

• Advanced to the NCAA II Elite Eight six straight times from 1992-97

• Ten consecutive NCAA II Tournament appearances

• Seven GLIAC Championships in the last ten seasons

Women’s Swimming and Diving

• Placed 10th or higher in the last 14 NCAA II Championships

• 1992 NCAA II Runner-up

• Five straight GLIAC Championships from 1998-2002

• 36 individual and relay NCAA II champions

Men's and Women's Nordic Skiing

• Finished 10th or higher in three of the last four NCAA Championships

• Ranked third in the country among nordic programs in 2000

Media Organizations

Media organizations facilitate communication on campus while providing excellent paraprofessional experiences for student members.

• North Wind (student newspaper)

• Public Eye News

• WUPX Student Radio

Multicultural Organizations

Multicultural organizations promote fellowship between their members. These organizations, through the programs which they sponsor, help to educate the campus community about different cultures and backgrounds.

• All Nations Club

• Black Student Union

• Diversity Student Alliance

• Essence

• International Dance Club

• Native American Student Association

• Outlook

• Umoja

Musical Activities

Students have opportunities to participate in a variety of musical ensembles on campus in addition to musical events available to students through the Student Activities and Leadership Programs Office and the efforts of several student organizations.

The Wildcat Marching Band performs for all home football games. Students interested in any aspect of the band should contact the director.

The Symphonic Band is open to all qualified students by audition. Literature is chosen from a broad range of the finest original and transcribed music. The Chamber Orchestra plays major compositions for small orchestra and on occasion accompanies large choral presentations.

Choral groups, all of which are open to student membership, include the Arts Chorale, the University Choir, and the Choral Society. In addition, students are urged to consider the Opera-Theatre and musical productions.

Other groups open to student participation and professional training include the Jazz Band and chamber ensembles. Students may receive academic credit for all of the groups mentioned above. See the Music Department and Course Descriptions section of this bulletin for more information.

Programming Organizations

The majority of the extracurricular programs presented on campus are planned and produced by student programming organizations. These programs include concerts, lectures, films, special events, and novelty-variety acts. Membership in one of these organizations develops a number of "how to" skills, allows students a major voice in program choices, and provides a great setting for interaction with other students.

• Campus Cinema

• Gonzo Media

• Northern Arts and Entertainment

• Platform Personalities

• Primetime Productions

• Special Events Committee (Homecoming, Winterfest)

Recreation Opportunities

Numerous recreation opportunities exist for Northern Michigan University students, their spouses and dependent children in programs offered through Recreational Facilities and Services. In the Superior Dome, PEIF Facilities and Berry Events Center many activities through Informal Recreation, Intramural Sports, Instructional Sports Programs and fitness programs occur daily. Semester recreation passes are available for Northern Michigan University students, spouses and dependent children for use of these facilities. The department is also a major campus employer, providing enjoyable and valuable employment opportunities for NMU students interested in working in a variety of recreational positions. The Berry Events Center, Superior Dome and PEIF are among the finest indoor recreation facilities in the country and truly offer "Something for Everyone."

Special Interest Groups

The many special interest clubs at NMU offer a wide range of opportunities for student participation outside of the classroom. Membership is open to any interested student.  Students are encouraged to form new organizations to meet interests that are not currently represented.

• Adventist College Truth Seekers

• All Terrain Board Club

• Alternative Therapies Discussion Group

• Big Yellow House on Arch

• Bookmarks

• Budo Taijutsu

• Cartoon and Comic Club

• Cat Pack

• Chess Club

• College Democrats

• Copper Country Pride

• Creative Arts Collection

• Dreamscapes (science fiction role-playing)

• Energy Committee

• Figure Skating Club

• Friends of Jazz

• Green Party of NMU

• Hearts of Yoga

• Men's Alpine Ski Team

• On the Spot

• Organization for Interactive Computing

• Pool Society

• Random Acts of Artists

• Rowing Club

• SD Entertainment

• Shire of Skerrstrand

• Shojo Anime Club

• Ski and Snowboard Club

• Snowshoeing Club

• Student Health Alliance Promoting Education

• Student Relief Organization

• Students Against Domestic Violence

• Students Art Gallery

• Students for the Prevention of Drinking and Driving

• Students Taking Action for Animal Rights

• Superior Nights

• Trail Cats

• United Students

• Upper Peninsula Scale Modelers (model railroaders)

• Ventures Crew 302

• Vertigo Vision

• Vox-Voices for Planned Parenthood

• Water Polo Club

• Wilcats Soccer Club

• Wildlife Society

• Women's Rugby Club

Spiritual Clubs

A number of organizations at NMU serve the purpose of stimulating spiritual growth and providing opportunities for fellowship. All interested persons are welcome at meetings and programs.

• Athletes in Action

• Baha'i Club

• Campus Crusade for Christ

• Catholic Campus Ministry

• Christian Challenge

• Emmaus House Lutheran Campus Center

• Faith in Christ Fellowship

• His House Christian Fellowship

• Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

• LDS Student Association

• Lutheran Student  Movement

• Nurses Christian Fellowship

• Pagan Moon

• Presbyterian Campus Ministry

• Presque Isle Zen Community

• Wesley Foundation