Student Activities

Student Activities at West Chester University encompass a wide range of cultural, social, educational, and recreational programs for a diverse student population. As a part of the Sykes Student Union & Activities team, Student Activities takes a leadership role in organizing and sponsoring joint or individual projects as part of its mission. One major role centers on the advisory relationship with the Student Activities Council (SAC), the major student programming body on campus.

The Student Activities Council plans many events such as film screenings, concerts, off-campus trips, national and cultural entertainment, live performances, and campus traditions including Homecoming and Banana Day. Student Activities also plays a vital role in coordinating Ramboree, an annual outdoor music festival in the Spring, and helps plan Rams After Hours, a weekly, late-night programming series.

Students can engage in campus life through participation and involvement in campus activities and student organizations. All students have an opportunity to attend campus events and join the Student Activities Council to become part of the event planning and implementation process. Students are encouraged and have the opportunity to assess all programming, making sure that the products presented serve their best interest and personal development. Leadership roles are always available and these opportunities to be active in the organization can become one of the more enriching experiences while at WCU. Becoming involved builds individual self-esteem and a sense of community – two important qualities that enhance a student’s life.

The Office of Student Activities is located in 236 Sykes Union; the phone number is 610-436-3037.

The Office of Student Leadership and Involvement is responsible for the registration and coordination of nearly 300 recognized student clubs and organizations on campus. In conjunction with the Student Leadership Project Team, the office also creates and implements multidimensional student leadership programs. Please visit our website at https://www.wcupa.edu/_services/stu/studentLeadershipInvolvement/, or check out our Student Government Association recognized clubs and organizations on RamConnect, our campus engagement platform, at https://ramconnect.wcupa.edu/home_login.  The office is located in 238 Sykes Student Union, 610-436-2117, involvement@wcupa.edu.

West Chester University's Department of Athletics affirms academic excellence as the cornerstone in the life of the student-athlete, placing the highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience. By strengthening the integration of athletic program objectives with academic and developmental goals, athletics support the University's mission to meet student needs and interests.

Participation in athletics can serve to strengthen the student's integrity, sense of fairness, respect for others, and dedication to goals. It also can provide the opportunity for enhancing interpersonal leadership skills. Both men and women can choose from a broad variety of team and individual sports. In addition, academic support services are available for student-athletes, underscoring the commitment to scholastic success.

The women's intercollegiate athletic programs include basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, indoor track, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, outdoor track and field, and volleyball. The men's intercollegiate athletic programs include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor track, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, and outdoor track and field.

West Chester University is a Division II member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Eastern College Athletic Conference, and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The women's rugby team (the first NCAA Division II program in the country) is part of the Mason-Dixon Conference.

The Department of Athletics is located in the Sturzebecker Health Sciences Center on South Campus, which has won national acclaim for the quality and extent of its teaching, performance, and research facilities. Of special note is the one-acre gymnasium, and a natatorium with two full-size swimming pools connected by a diving well.

This center is surrounded by John A. Farrell Football Stadium, Serpico Baseball Stadium, South Campus Softball Complex, practice and playing fields, and tennis courts. A new lighted artificial surface athletic field was completed in the fall of 2004 and was dedicated in 2008 as Vonnie Gros Field. It serves as the home of the field hockey program as well as the women's lacrosse team. It also is used as practice space for other varsity teams, and as a center for recreation and intramurals. In the fall of 2006, a new state-of-the-art turf football field and outdoor track were installed at Farrell Stadium.

The Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact (CCESI) supports faculty utilizing community engaged learning within their academic courses, as well as assists student clubs and organizations planning community service activities. Working directly with more than 200 local agencies, the department coordinates and provides a listing of volunteer opportunities for students, staff, and faculty. Throughout the year special service projects are planned, and the entire campus is invited to participate. West Chester University is a member of Pennsylvania Campus Compact and a recipient of the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.  In 2010 West Chester University was selected to receive the Community Engagement and Outreach and Partnerships Classifications from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact may be contacted at 610-436-3379 or www.wcupa.edu/volunteer.

The West Chester University Alumni Association is an organization of more than 80,000 graduates of the University.

The purpose of the Alumni Association is to promote the interests of West Chester University in all areas of academic, cultural, and social needs, to strengthen the Alumni Association through a strong network of graduates, and to increase the awareness of the University's needs.

The Alumni Association sponsors many activities on campus each year: Welcome to West Chester Day and Homecoming in the fall, Alumni Weekend in the spring, and Senior Days in December and May. The West Chester University Magazine, published three times each year, provides alumni with information on their classmates and events of interest.

The WCUAA also provides an Alumni Online Community with easy access to calendars, event registration, news, updates, and an alumni directory.