STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Clubs and Organizations | Performing Arts | Sports and Athletics | UCLA Recreation
The opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities at UCLA are virtually unlimited and provide a good way for students to expand their horizons beyond classroom learning.
Joining a club or organization is a great way to meet other students with shared interests and to get involved in campus life. UCLA has over 700 different organizations recognized by the Center for Student Programming--more than are found on almost any other university campus in the country.
Center for Student Programming
Organizations registered with the Center for Student Programming (CSP ) include political, recreational, community service, cultural, academic, religious, and residential clubs. It only takes three people to start a new club if their interests are not already represented. CSP also handles complaints of misconduct against officially recognized student organizations. See http://www.studentactivities.ucla.edu. 310-825-7041
Two major CSP divisions are the Community Programs Office and Fraternity and Sorority Relations.
Community Programs Office
The UCLA Community Programs Office (CPO) was established in 1970 by concerned students, staff, and faculty who felt that the pedagogical role of students should not only consist of classroom instruction but should be relevant to social issues as well.
Currently, the CPO houses 25 student-initiated community and student support projects that encompass educational, legal, social, medical, and academic services to underserved communities in the Los Angeles area. CPO is unique in its multicultural and ethnically diverse environment and the experience it offers in campus and community programming. See http://www.communityprograms.ucla.edu. 310-825-5696
Fraternity and Sorority Relations
Fraternities and sororities have been at UCLA since the 1920s. Today UCLA counts over 60 national and local Greek-letter organizations that make up one of the largest Greek systems on the West Coast.
Fraternity and Sorority Relations (FSR) interprets University policies, procedures, and regulations and acts as a liaison between established Greek organizations and the University. It coordinates Greek-letter social organizations, which participate in programs such as the Greek Leadership Conference, Membership Recruitment, Greek Week, New Member Forums, Dating Expectations Programs, intramural tournaments, and University-sponsored programs. See http://www.greeklife.ucla.edu.
FSR is a designated campus Harassment Information Center available to all UCLA students (see Harassment in the Appendix for information).
Concerts, dance recitals, and theater productions are all part of exceptional programs offered by the Music, Ethnomusicology, Theater, Film, Television, and Digital Media, and World Arts and Cultures departments and by UCLA Live.
The Ethnomusicology Department provides students with the opportunity to perform in various world music and ethnic ensembles that provide concerts listed in the department's schedule of events. See http://www.ethnomusic.ucla.edu.
The Music Department features performances by ensembles ranging from jazz to opera. In addition, the Gluck Fellows Music Outreach Program provides community outreach through free performances throughout the Los Angeles and Southern California region. See http://www.music.ucla.edu.
The Theater Department presents a series of major productions to the general public, and the Film, Television, and Digital Media Department features student-directed films and television programs throughout the year. The School of Theater, Film, and Television's annual festival is a week-long celebration of film, digital media, animation, screenwriting, and acting that features everything from performance art to the classics. See http://www.tft.ucla.edu.
The World Arts and Cultures Department presents events and concerts involving departmental faculty, guest artists, and students. Student performances include M.F.A. concerts, an undergraduate and graduate student-produced concert, and the Senior Concert/Colloquium. Students also perform in more informal programs, such as the end-of-term student works festival or Pau Hana , that feature many world dance forms. See http://www.wac.ucla.edu.
Since 1937, UCLA Live has served as the premier West Coast showcase for world-class performing artists and ensembles as well as innovative new work in dance, music, theater, and performance art. UCLA Live presents more than 200 public concerts and events each year, often sponsoring debut performances of new works by major artists. Through UCLA Live, the campus hosts a varied and active performance program, ranging from regular concerts by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra to events with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Yo-Yo Ma, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Jessye Norman, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Pina Bausch Tanztheater Wuppertal, Twyla Tharp, Stomp, Pinchas Zukerman, and Branford and Wynton Marsalis. Subject to availability, discount tickets are offered to students, faculty, and staff. See http://www.uclalive.org. 310-825-4401
Athletics play a major role in the University's mission to provide a well-rounded education both in and out of the classroom. UCLA continues to live up to its reputation as a national leader in intercollegiate sports and now ranks first in the U.S. in the number of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships won (97). In 2003-04 the UCLA athletic programs (men and women) placed third in the Directors Cup national all-around excellence survey. In the 23-year history of the former USA Today survey, the men's program placed first 11 times, while the women's program placed first five times in the final nine years. UCLA was the first university in the country to win five NCAA men's and women's championships in a single year (1981-82). See http://www.uclabruins.collegesports.com.
UCLA also has produced a record number of professional athletes such as Troy Aikman, Eric Karros, Reggie Miller, Natalie Williams, and Corey Pavin and Olympians such as gold medalists Lisa Fernandez, Karch Kiraly, Gail Devers, and Dot Richardson.
The major indoor arena at UCLA is the famed Pauley Pavilion, which seats 12,800 for UCLA basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics events. It was the site of the 1984 Summer Olympics gymnastics competition. Immediately adjacent, Drake Stadium is the home of UCLA track and field and soccer competitions and site of many outdoor events, including the U.S. Olympic Festival '91. The Los Angeles Tennis Center, a 5,800-seat outdoor tennis stadium and clubhouse, was the site of the 1984 Olympic tennis competition. Easton Softball Stadium, which seats 1,050, is the home of the championship women's softball team. The Morgan Intercollegiate Athletics Center houses the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame. Off-campus facilities include Jackie Robinson Stadium for varsity baseball and the renowned Rose Bowl in Pasadena, home of the UCLA football team.
UCLA is a member of the Pacific-10 Conference, which includes Arizona State University; University of Arizona; University of California, Berkeley; Stanford University; University of Southern California; University of Oregon; Oregon State University; Washington State University; and the University of Washington. UCLA teams have won an overall total of 69 NCAA men's championships--second highest in the nation--including 18 in volleyball, 16 in tennis, 11 in basketball, eight each in track and field and water polo, four in soccer, two in gymnastics, and one each in golf and swimming. Students can participate on the varsity level in football, basketball, track, baseball, tennis, volleyball, water polo, golf, soccer, and cross-country. 310-825-8699
Women's Intercollegiate Sports
With 11 different varsity sports, the UCLA women's program is one of the most extensive in the country, and UCLA has played an important role in establishing women's sports as part of the NCAA. Women's teams have won an overall total of 28 NCAA titles--fifth highest in the nation--including 10 in softball, five each in gymnastics and track and field, three each in volleyball and water polo, and two in golf. Other nationally ranked teams are those in basketball, swimming, tennis, cross-country, and soccer. 310-825-8699
To help students learn new skills, meet people with similar interests, relieve stress, and increase fitness, the Department of Cultural and Recreational Affairs (CRA) oversees programs from intramural sports to outdoor adventures. See http://www.recreation.ucla.edu. 310-825-3701
The UCLA Intramural Sports Program consists of team, dual, and individual sports competition in tournament or league play. Over 2,200 teams and 16,000 participants compete throughout the year in various sports activities ranging from basketball to water polo. UCLA students and recreation membership holders are eligible. Varying skill levels are offered in almost all activities, and the emphasis is on friendly competition.
The Club Sports Program offers students the chance to organize, coach, or participate in sports that fall beyond the scope of intramurals but are not offered at the varsity level. Recognized teams exist in ice hockey, men's and women's rugby and lacrosse, men's gymnastics, cycling, sailing, snowboarding and skiing, surfing, and water skiing.
Outdoor Adventures offer students the chance to get away and enjoy the wonders of local and distant mountains and waterways. Activities designed for beginning to experienced outdoors people include camping, rock climbing, scuba diving, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking. 310-206-1252
Noncredit recreation classes in aquatics, dance, fine arts, martial arts, outdoor studies, tennis, and sports skills are offered for beginning and intermediate levels. Private lessons in tennis, fitness activities, swimming, racquetball, and golf are also available. Students can also participate in cultural events through art exhibitions, the poetry reading program, museum tours, and theater in Los Angeles outings.
Fitness is offered either as a recreation class or on a drop-in basis. A Fitness Pass must be purchased to participate in drop-in fitness classes.
For registered students who prefer independent recreation and exercise, CRA offers access to many facilities. The Wooden Recreation and Sports Center has multiple gymnasia, 10 racquetball/handball courts, two squash courts, a weight training facility, rock climbing wall, exercise/dance and martial arts studios, and a games lounge. The Sunset Canyon Recreation Center offers activities in an outdoor park setting that features a 50-meter swimming pool, 25-yard family pool, picnic/barbecue areas, play fields, outdoor amphitheater, 8 lighted tennis courts, and various meeting rooms and lounges, as well as a challenge course. The UCLA Marina Aquatic Center offers sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, rowing, and other activities. Students also have the use of Pauley Pavilion, Drake Stadium, Sycamore Tennis Courts, Los Angeles Tennis Center, Intramural Fields, Student Activities Center, and Kaufman Hall for recreational sports and activities.
Youth and Family Programs offer exciting activities for children 3 to 17 years old. Summer programs include Camp Adventure for ages 11 to 16, Camp Bruin Kids for ages 5 to 10, Camp Bruin Tots for age 5, Bruins on Broadway for ages 10 to 15, Camp Explore for ages 7 to 11, Camp Extreme for ages 14 to 16, Sunset Sleepover for ages 7 to 12, Camp Voyager for ages 11 to 13, Counselors in Training for ages 15 to 17, group and private lessons, and special events. Activities combine play with skill development and deepen the fun in learning.