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Student Organizations

List of Student Organizations

Adelante!

Adelante! is dedicated to increasing awareness and appreciation of U.S. Latina/o, Chicana/o and Latin American culture, politics and society at Macalester. The group addresses local and global issues concerning Latina/os and encourages participation by all individuals both on campus and in the surrounding Twin Cities community.

Afrika!

Afrika! is a student organization committed to nourishing cultural, intellectual, political and economic awareness of the African continent by the Macalester community. Afrika! achieves its objectives through hosting various cultural functions, giving presentations and inviting African Scholars and performers to Macalester.

A Novel Idea

A Novel Idea aims to encourage and foster the love of reading for fun in college students at Macalester. Books are selected on a monthly basis and are discussed and analyzed at weekly meetings.

Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDA)

APIDA provides a safe space for Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American identifying students to discuss the political, social, and structural understandings of our common histories.

Bad Comedy

Sketch Comedy on the Bleeding Edge - Bad Comedy provides delicate morsels of carefully prepared sketch-comedy goodness to the Macalester community.

Badminton Club

The Macalester Badminton Club aims to teach badminton to all who are interested in learning and practicing the sport.

BIPOCA (BIPOC Athletes)

BIPOCA is a group that connects through shared passion for athletics and shared identities to nurture a space for everyone to celebrate, connect, and create a sense of belonging in Macalester––both within the athletic community and the general Macalester population.

Black Liberation Affairs Committee (BLAC)

BLAC seeks to foster a greater understanding of the issues and ideas that touch members of the African Diaspora through cultural, political and social programs.

Caribbean at Macalester

Caribbean at Mac celebrates and promotes Caribbean culture, foster a sense of community among Caribbean students, and raise awareness about the diverse cultures found within the Caribbean region. As an organization, we are dedicated to creating a supportive space where students can freely share their experiences, traditions, and perspectives.

Central Americans for Empowerment

Central Americans for Empowerment empowers CentAm students through political and cultural education and advocacy.

Chanter

Chanter is a literary magazine published each spring by students, featuring art and writing from students. We welcome participants from across the college.

Chinese Culture Club

The Chinese Culture Club is an all-inclusive organization that promotes modern Chinese culture and dialogue about current Chinese societal issues both within and outside of the Macalester community.

Chromactics

Chromactics is Macalester's student-run co-ed R&B a cappella group. They perform at various events across campus. Auditions for new members are held at the start of each semester.

Climbing Club

The Climbing Club provides students with a physically challenging recreational activity without the stress of competition. Climbing Club also introduces students to the sport of climbing and teaches skills and methods.

Democracy Matters

The purpose of this organization is to mobilize students to protect and expand democracy.

Filipino Association at Mac (FAM)

Filipino Association at (FAM) seeks to increase knowledge about Filipino culture and have conversations about Filipino identity and issues.

First-Generation, Low-Income Student Union (FSU)
FSU’s mission is to create a sense of community among students that identify as first-generation and/or low-income (FGLI), provide resources to help members navigate life at Macalester, and build the cultural capital of FGLI students to aid in the navigation of our broader society. FSU achieves its mission by serving as a collective voice for the FGLI community and advocating for members, holding spaces for conversation and relief, and organizing workshops related to financial literacy. Together, we will work toward erasing the shame associated with identities we cannot control.

Fresh Concepts

Fresh Concepts is a comedy group dedicated to educating and entertaining through the medium of improvisation.

Friends of Medecins Sans Frontieres

Friends of Medecins Sans Frontieres is an official student support organization registered under Doctors Without Borders. Our primary goals are to raise awareness and become a hub for knowledge on MSF work through guest speakers and fundraisers around the larger twin cities.

Game Devs at Mac

Games Devs at Mac supports aspiring game developers as they network, learn, and build games with one another.

GeoClub

The GeoClub is an outlet for people who want to explore, share, and expand their earth science knowledge as well as spend some time outdoors.

Girls Who Code

Girls Who Code aims to support college-aged women and nonbinary identifying students in tech by fostering a sense of belonging and community. We connect women and nonbinary students interested in tech, facilitate leadership opportunities, and provide exclusive networking chances with industry professionals.

Green@Mac

Green@Mac (formally MacCARES/MULCH) aims to promote all aspects of holistic sustainability and urban gardening. We help seed and harvest the college's MULCH garden (located near the Spanish Language House), grow plants in the OLRI Ruth Stricker Dayton greenhouse, and engage in community service and educational campus events. No experience in gardening or knowledge of sustainability is necessary!

Groove Group

The Groove Group fosters community among musicians at Macalester through jam sessions, performances, discussions, guest speakers, networking, and community service. We aim to be a home base for musicians to meet and form ensembles with one another, and we will offer numerous performance opportunities throughout the year.

Habitat For Humanity

Macalester Habitat for Humanity works with other Twin Cities colleges and high schools to sponsor and build a house every year. HFH also organizes fundraisers, educational opportunities and service trips during Fall and Spring Breaks.

Hawai’i Club

Hawai’i Club aims to serve both Macalester students from Hawai’i and the general student community at large by exploring the complexities of Hawai’i’s unique multicultural landscape and navigating the dynamics of Asian settler-colonialism and US militarism.

Health Professions Student Coalition (HPSC)

HPSC is devoted to creating a community for pre-health students and providing resources and guidance for students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare.

History Club

History Club is dedicated to bringing students who love history together in a fun, pressure free environment. They seek to discuss various elements of history that interest members, learning about topics that they may not have sought out on our own while creating a more cohesive student body in the department.

Ice Skating Club

Ice skating club provides another avenue for students to engage in a collaborative, active environment, providing a space for all interested individuals regardless of ability or previous experience.

IfNotNow

IfNotNow is a national spiritual and political movement working to end American Jewish support for the occupation. The national movement has a chapter in the Twin Cities and as an org at Macalester we are associated with this chapter while also our own autonomous spiritual and political community on Macalester's campus. We seek to bring our members together through political actions, Jewish spiritual traditions and conversations about the occupation.

Japanese Culture Club

The Japanese Culture Club works to promote a rich understanding of the history, culture, and language of Japan with students at Macalester College, while providing the community with an opportunity to appreciate Japanese culture.

Latinx Student Union (LSU)

The purpose of our organization is to represent, integrate, and celebrate all people of the Latinx diaspora at Macalester and its surrounding areas. This collective raises awareness about Latinx Culture and its roots from Latin America, politics, and identity through dialogue and engagement with the community. The Latinx Student Union believes in liberating and empowering the Latinx community through radical love, social justice, and decolonization.

Macalester Anime

For those who love Japanese Animation, come and enjoy weekly Anime showings with your fellow fans of this increasingly popular art form.

Macalester Association for Sub-Continental Ethnic and Cultural Awareness (MASECA)

MASECA aims to educate the greater Macalester community about the political, social, and/or economical issues facing the Asian Sub-Continent.

Macalester Autism Community

The purpose of this organization is building community and communication between autistic people at Macalester College in order to make the process of unlearning neurotypical and allistic socialization and expectations less isolating. This is a charter for a revised version of the Macalester Autism Community (MAC) of 2019; because of that, its purpose is much the same as MAC’s was. Our primary goal for this organization is to focus on building a sense of community among autistic students at Macalester, which is a shift away from the previous iteration of MAC’s more external focus. There are no other organizations or other student groups focused specifically on autistic students. In the long term, this organization hopes to cultivate social and academic environments attuned to the needs of autistic students through the development of a strong autistic community and sustained educational advocacy.

Macalester Birding Club

The Macalester Birding Club will give the Macalester community a way to learn about birds and appreciate them in natural settings. These settings (parks, preserves, green spaces) will become newly accessible and known to people through participation in the Mac Birding Club outings. Macalester Campus itself will also be a place for birding, giving people more appreciation for nature found right in the city. Through walks led by leaders, with the aid of equipment like binoculars and spotting scopes, people will get the chance to experience the diversity of birds in our area. Those who wish to learn more about identification and other pursuits like bird photography will have the opportunity to learn informally from club leaders who have experience in these areas.

Macalester Christian Fellowship (MCF)

MCF is a group of Christians who seek to glorify God. Their purpose is to help Christians grow in their faith and to be witnesses of God's love.

Macalester College Student Government (MCSG)

MCSG is the student governing body at Macalester. The main goal of MCSG is to provide a voice for all students across campus.

Macalester Consulting Group
The Macalester Consulting Group (MCG) is a student organization that prepares students for jobs (and job interviews) in consulting, particularly for firms such as McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton, Bain, Analysis Group, Mercer, Accenture, etc. Members will interact and network with consultants from the aforementioned companies, participate in case practices for job interviews, and engage in actual consulting projects.

Macalester Democrats

The Macalester Democrats organize rallies, forums, debates and work on political campaigns for the local DFL and National Democratic Party.

Macalester Film Club

Macalester First Aid (MFA)

MFA promotes a safe and healthy community at Macalester by providing education, service, and outreach centered around emergency medicine to its students, faculty and staff. MFA holds regular CPR/AED classes throughout the semester and offers one EMT course each year during J-Term.

Macalester Gaming Society (MGS)

MGS is devoted to accommodating game-playing on campus, helping gamers find each other, and educating others about gamer culture.

Macalester Hegemonocle

The Hegemonocle is Macalester's first humor magazine which publishes a new edition of the magazine quarterly.

Macalester Human Rights Organization

Human Rights at Macalester aims to raise awareness surrounding Human Rights, extend opportunities to students from various institutions of higher education across the state of Minnesota who are eager to delve into the field, and bridge the gap between the theoretical concepts of Human Rights taught in our education and the practical work carried out on the ground.

Macalester Investment Group (MIG)

MIG manages the Tartan Fund, originated by donations from Economics Department alumni. MIG provides a real-world group setting for students to learn about investing in companies and helps manage the group's own $30,000 portfolio.

Macalester Jewish Organization (MJO)

MJO is an interdenominational group that plans events surrounding the Jewish holidays as well as cultural, volunteer, and entertainment activities.

Macalester Korean Cultural Organization (MacKCO)

The Korean Culture Organization encourages broad participation from all members of the Macalester community who wish to learn about and celebrate aspects of Korean culture.

Macalester Martial Arts Club (MMAC)

MMAC is dedicated to teaching and learning martial arts. Instructors are students who have attained a high rank in the martial arts style and wish to share their interest and experience with the Macalester community.

Macalester Model United Nations (MacMUN)

Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations in which participants represent different countries to debate and write resolutions about topics on the United Nations' agenda. Most topics of discussion are current, and through this activity, you will learn to develop diplomacy, negotiation and public speaking skills.

Macalester Muslim Student Association (MSA)

MSA provides a space for Muslim students to come together and talk about religion and beliefs.

Macalester Organizing Coalition (MOCO)

MOCO is a community of students with similar passions and drive to make change in the Twin Cities, focusing on a variety of political and social issues.

Macalester Pre-Dental
The purpose of Macalester Pre-Dental Society is to provide students with resources that help guide their studies and goals for future admission to dental school. We aim to host alumni panels and host speakers, provide free volunteer opportunities in dental clinics, work with dental schools and dental programs nearby, provide information about various dental careers, and provide academic guidance to students interested in pursuing a dental career.

Macalester QuestBridge Scholars Network (QSN)
The Macalester QuestBridge Scholars Network (QSN) community aims to support members through multiple levels of engagement in college, including self engagement in holistic growth, community engagement with the National QSN, and broader civic engagement through public service. We are dedicated to strengthening our on-campus presence and supporting other QuestBridge Scholars, first-generation, low-income, and BIPOC students as they navigate their college experiences.

Macalester Quiz Bowl

Quiz Bowl is an organization that gives students an opportunity to participate in trivia in both a friendly and competitive environment. Quiz Bowl travels several times a semester to compete in tournaments around Minnesota.

Macalester Street Journal (MSJ)
The purpose of the Macalester Street Journal (MSJ) is to provide an open-access publishing opportunity to the Macalester community on the subjects of politics and economics. The MSJ's goal is to publish in the pursuit of economic and political understanding through the cultivation of learned undergraduate research and opinion.

Macalester Table Tennis Club

The purpose of the Macalester Table Tennis Club is to help the Macalester community have access to table tennis and enjoy the sport while improving their skills. This organization will help enhance accessibility to the game by adding more playing equipment, through organized playing times, and popularizing/mainstreaming the sport. This club will also facilitate in connecting people interested in table tennis and build community and relationships through playing this sport. For those who want to train more seriously, there will also be opportunities to learn fundamental skills of table tennis and improve their game.

Macalester the Gathering

Macalester the Gathering (MacTG) provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for students to learn, play, and compete in the game of Magic: the Gathering by offering weekly casual play sessions, supporting and facilitating members' participation in competitive Magic, and organizing trips to Magic events throughout the broader Twin Cities area.

Macalester Traditions (Trads)

The Trads are Macalester's only all-male a cappella group. Their unconventional style of performance and arrangements makes them unique and provides entertainment for people in and around the Macalester community.

Macalester Young Artists for Revolutionary Needlework (MacYARN)

The primary focus for MacYARN is to gather fiber enthusiasts to share their common interests. The group also teaches knitting and crocheting to those who wish to learn and work collectively to create items for charity projects.

Mac Bike

MacBike works to promote bicycling at Macalester and throughout the Twin Cities. We hold weekly open shops and rides throughout the semester to make biking fun and accessible to everyone.

Mac Chess

Macalester Chess Club is a space where Macalester students can play chess recreationally or competitively. We educate students new to the game and provide more advanced players with the opportunity to study and compete.

MacHoYo

MacHoYo provides students with a place to socialize and discuss video games made by Chinese developer HoYoverse (formerly miHoYo).

Mac Open Mic

To provide a safe and welcoming space for students of all performance backgrounds to share their art and build their skill in front of a supportive and enthusiastic group of peers, through events such as regular on campus open mics, opportunities to participate in external open mics, and karaoke nights. To allow Macalester students the chance to step out of their comfort zone and connect with the Mac community through performance art, be it by playing an original song, reading a story, performing spoken word poetry (in a non-competitive context), reciting a piece on classical guitar, reading a dramatic monologue, rocking out a cover tune, or simply belting along to their favorite karaoke song. We aim to strengthen community among performance artists--and any students interested in the performing arts--by creating a fun and welcoming place to socialize, get to know one another, and enjoy each other's art.

Mac Pep Band

Mac Pep Band provides a fun, creative outlet for Macalester student musicians. Mac Pep Band strives to provide a lively, encouraging, and engaging atmosphere for athletic spectators and participants by playing music during Macalester sporting events.

MacSHARE

The purpose of MacShare is to create and sustain changes in the Macalester community, increase awareness surrounding food issues in our community and surrounding communities, as well as establish and cultivate a relationship between local food systems and Macalester students, faculty, and staff. MacShare hosts weekly sales, providing fresh local produce to Macalester community members at cost.

MacSlams

MacSlams gives students a venue to learn about and participate in slam poetry. Students participate in monthly slams and workshops to improve their writing and performing skills.

Mac Swing Dance

Mac Swing intends to teach members to dance west coast swing through weekly lessons and practice dances.

Mac Weekly

Mac Weekly has been Macalester's independent student newspaper since 1914. It serves as the campus' premier source of information and a forum for debate. It is a valuable experience for those interested in writing, editing, layout, photography and web design.

MoAT (Mac of All Trades)

MoAT aims to foster community outside of the Mac bubble by performing free concerts for the larger Twin Cities community.

Moot Court

The purpose of Macalester Moot Court is to allow students the opportunity to compete in inter-collegiate Moot Court competitions. Additionally, Macalester Moot Court will provide students in POLI 206 and 207 the opportunity to engage in co-curricular experiential learning, while allowing the community to develop their legal knowledge and public speaking skills. Macalester Moot Court commits itself to providing the unique opportunity to expose students to the study of constitutional law and appellate litigation that cannot otherwise be found on campus. Through involvement with Macalester Moot Court, students will have the opportunity to win accolades and awards at the national level on behalf of Macalester and continue the college’s legacy as a national top 30 Moot Court program. Additionally, it will provide those in the Macalester Community interested in pre-law the opportunity to further engage with the field while having fun and meeting a group of like-minded individuals.

National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Chapter

NMDP engages students in increasing awareness of the need for young, committed, and diverse stem cell transplant registry members by hosting educational events, donor registry events, and fundraising events as a part of the NMDP social movement and global effort.

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

NSBE supports and promotes the academic and professional success of Black engineering students and professionals while fostering a community committed to the advancement of engineering and technology.

Outing Club

The Outing Club offers adventure in the great outdoors through inexpensive trips, reasonable gear rental and expedition-planning assistance.

Pool Club

Our purpose as an organization is to provide anyone who is interested in pool a place to gather. A place where we can discuss what is happening in the current pool scene, technique development, and strategies to use when playing pool. Once we are able to gather in person, a place to play pool together!

Pride Athletes At Macalester (PAAM)
PAAM’s mission is to create a safe space for Intramural, Club and Varsity LGBTQIA+ athletes. Our focuses include cultivating a space of inclusion in the athletic department, teaming with the administration to ensure a safe and equitable environment for all LGBTQIA+ athletes, and creating community across sports and the Macalester campus in general.

Pro-Choice @ Mac

Pro-Choice@Mac engages with politically active youth to expand and protect abortion access and promote abortion access resources.

Program Board

The Program Board is the programmatic arm of MCSG. PB is responsible for cultural, educational, and social programming on campus.

Proud Indigenous People for Education (PIPE)

PIPE strives to create dialogue and an awareness of issues affecting American Indian and other Indigenous peoples.

Sirens

The Sirens are Mac's only all-female, student-run a cappella group. The Sirens perform at various events on and off campus throughout the year, including an end-of-semester concert with the Macalester Traditions. Auditions for new members are held at the start of each semester.

SPACES Magazine

SPACES magazine is a BIPOC-lead magazine whose focus is to highlight the creativity and perspectives circulating within Macalester's BIPOC community. Students can participate in SPACES by being a magazine contributor or model, or working directly in the organization to help design and publish semesterly magazines and host exciting events throughout the year.

Sunrise Movement Macalester

Mac Sunrise takes inspiration from the national Sunrise Movement to take action against climate change. Our goal is to promote student advocacy around climate justice and equity. Students have and will continue to take action in favor of progressive climate policies like Minnesota's Green New Deal by organizing and executing mass calls to representatives, office visits, and peaceful protests.

Tabletop Role-Playing Games

This club provides Macalester students with both resources and a space to enjoy role-playing games, and to foster a community of people interested in all aspects of the hobby. This club is open to all levels of experience and welcomes anyone looking to play in or run their own campaigns.

TapTHAT

TapTHAT is a tap and clogging dance group. No experience necessary –– all levels are welcome. No tap/clogging shoes needed, but if you have them, bring them!

Ua Ke (Hmong Student Organization)

Ua Ke, means together in the Hmong community. Ua Ke's goals are to inform and raise awareness in the Macalester community about Hmong history, people and culture and to reach out to the local Hmong community in the twin cities.

Vietnamese Cultural Organization (VCO)

The purpose of the Vietnamese Cultural Organization (VCO) is to serve Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese students who are interested in Vietnamese culture, history and issues.

Virtu Journal

Virtù, Macalester College’s journal of transdisciplinary explorations, endeavors to empower students and community members to espouse their convictions by way of original composition about specific themes selected by the Journal’s editorial staff.

Voices in STEM

Voices in STEM fosters a vibrant community of support and empowerment for STEM students of color at Macalester College. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive space where personal and academic growth are paramount by offering workshops, study sessions, and mental health activities that enhance our members' academic and personal well-being to everyone, especially those who need the most support.

Voices of Mental Health

This organization increases awareness among Macalester Students about mental health issues, symptoms of mental illness, and available resources at Macalester and in the surrounding community by promoting advocacy and action by the Macalester student body.

WMCN 91.7 FM

This free-form community radio station offers a variety of programming from indie-rock to hip-hop, as well as live in-studio bands and call-in talk shows.

Women in Economics (WIE)

WIE creates an arena for discussion on issues and challenges facing women majoring in economics. WIE provides support and guidance for female Macalester economics majors.

X-ertion

X-ertion is a dance group that dances to various types of music from all/any Asian countries.

Young Democratic Socialists of America

Our purpose on campus is to be a center for leftist politics and engagement. We advocate against unfettered capitalism, and champion the power of the working-class. Our meetings are open to all who want to get politically involved in the wider Twin Cities area as well as on campus. At our general meetings we bring in speakers and teach students what their worker and tenant rights are, how to unionize a work place, and are working on other areas of education. We are connected with the Twin Cities DSA and occasionally go to the events as a group.