Student Life

Student Affairs

Office of the Dean of the College

The Vice President and Dean of the College is the chief student affairs officer of the college and is concerned with the overall personal and educational development of students as well as the integration of Colgate’s academic and campus life programs.

The departments within the Office of the Dean of the College provide holistic opportunities for students to develop ways of learning and living that are characteristic of a residential liberal arts education and that are guided by intellectualism, citizenship, accountability, diversity and inclusion, personal growth and wellness, and a lifelong connection to Colgate. 

The Office of Residential Life supports students’ formal academic endeavors by providing experiences and supporting residential communities and living and learning communities that support students throughout their college years by fostering a welcoming, enriching, and supportive community. Students’ residential experiences begin with New Student Orientation and the residential commons program, a living and learning experience that establishes a strong foundation for scholarship and community.

Opportunities for student engagement and leadership are available through the ALANA Cultural Center, Office of the Chaplains, LGBTQ Initiatives, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Advising, the Center for Leadership and Student Involvement, and the Max Shacknai Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education. These departments benefit from working closely together and with the guidance and leadership of the Dean of Students.

Each student has access to an administrative dean who assists with personal and/or academic matters and provides information about the many support resources available at Colgate. These services include support for first generation students and scholars’ programs through the Office of Undergraduate Scholars Programs and the First Generation Initiative. The Office of International Student Services provides immigration and cultural adjustment support. The Office of Student Conduct is responsible for educating students about the expectations of living within a scholar community and that members of the community are held accountable and responsible for the choices they make.

Health, wellness and safety services are offered to students to help with a variety of psychological and physical health concerns and their overall health and well-being through Counseling and Psychological Services, Haven, Student Health Services, and the Shaw Wellness Institute. Student safety on campus is supported through 24/7 services through the Office of Campus Safety. More specialized campus safety and preparedness is the responsibility of the Emergency Management and Environmental Health and Safety programs.

Administrative Deans

Although Colgate is a relatively small institution, it is nevertheless quite complex because of the wide range of educational opportunities available to students. Because of this complexity, the university has established the administrative dean structure to help students in making decisions concerning their undergraduate careers.

Within this structure, every student at Colgate is assigned an administrative dean to whom he or she may turn for advice and assistance. Working collaboratively with academic advisers to address the needs of students holistically, administrative deans assist students with interpretation of the university’s policies and procedures, as well as with questions pertaining to: graduation requirements, attendance patterns, personal or academic leaves of absence, withdrawal from the university, disciplinary matters, or emergencies or problems that may affect the quality of a student’s academic work. Administrative deans are also available to assist students with personal issues and may, at the request of the student, contact others in the Colgate community or elsewhere who may be better positioned to assist depending on the situation.

Administration of Student Activities

The Center for Leadership and Student Involvement (CLSI) supports Colgate’s commitment to extending liberal arts learning beyond the classroom. Its mission is to foster student-centered programming that creates a healthy and vibrant campus culture where all can find their place. The professional staff encourages and assists students in their efforts to organize around issues of interest as individuals, scholars, and active citizens. Theses staff members also advise and support the experiential learning opportunities that comes from membership and participation in student organizations, where leadership, scholarship, and service are fostered.

Students are encouraged to take on responsibility in student organizations, and their initiatives are supported through coaching and mentoring in leadership and management. Leadership development programs challenge and support Colgate students in the development of important competencies. The function of the office is not only to host events, but also to provide the resources and support that enable students to pursue their interests and accomplish their goals.

The CLSI partners with students to enrich the social, cultural, physical, and intellectual experience of life at Colgate. Emphasis is placed on understanding and appreciating and engaging the rich diversity of interests and experiences in the Colgate community. The staff is committed to promoting and supporting educational efforts related to physical and emotional health as well as to issues affecting the world beyond the university.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) is the primary organization on campus that represents the will of the student body. Among other rights listed in Article II of the SGA constitution, every student on campus has the right to vote, run for a position, and join recognized organizations. The elected officials of SGA are charged with improving campus life by promoting student concerns.

The SGA executive group is composed of the president, vice president, elections commission, communications director, recording secretary, and senate-approved ad hoc positions. The president and vice president are the primary figures representing the SGA and its members to administrators, faculty, trustees, alumni, and outside parties. Additionally, the president chairs SGA executive meetings that provide the forum for collaboration between the branches of government and set the agenda for Senate meetings.

The SGA legislature is composed of the senate, parliamentarian, treasurer, and liaison to student organizations. The senate consists of a total of 40 senators. Each class year is represented by 10 elected senators. The senate is chaired by the speaker of the senate, who assigns senators into committees fulfilling the following roles: student affairs, academic affairs, government affairs, student organizations, class affairs, and external affairs. The treasurer chairs the Budget Allocations Committee (BAC), which distributes the revenue from the student activities fee. The BAC meets weekly to hear funding requests from student organizations.

The senate holds weekly meetings to consider matters concerning the entire university community. All meetings are open to the student body and all students are encouraged to attend. Students interested in working with the SGA to improve campus life should contact any SGA official or stop by the SGA office in the O’Connor Campus Center.

Student Organizations

Many types of organizations and activities are available to students at Colgate. Some are strictly co-curricular; others are related to specific aspects of the academic program. All organizations are open to any student, although some are honorary. If students have an interest that is not represented among the existing student organizations, they can create new organizations. The Center for Leadership and Student Involvement, the ALANA Cultural Center, Center for Outreach Volunteerism and Education, Shaw Wellness Institute and the Office of the Chaplains are the coordinating departments for the majority of student organizations. Fraternities and Sororities are listed later in the chapter. Athletic club sports are listed under “Athletics and Recreation” later in this chapter.

Organization Categories

• A Cappella
• Academic
• Career Development
• Creative Arts
• Cultural
• Dance
• Entertainment
• Environmental
• Languages
• LGBTQ
• Music and Drama
• Philanthropic
• Political
• Publications and Media
• Recreation
• Religious
• Student Government
• Wellness
• Other Special Interest

The COVE

The Max Shacknai Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education is described under Other Colgate Facilities .

Fraternity and Sorority Affairs

There is a long history of the existence of Greek letter organizations at Colgate, dating back to 1856. Today, Colgate currently recognizes five national fraternities and three national sororities. Affiliation with Greek-letter organizations may occur after the sophomore year. These residential communities emphasize shared community values and responsibilities, provide leadership opportunities, and allow students to live with peers who embody the values of the organization. The chapter houses that house the eight recognized fraternity and sorority members are owned by the university and are held to the same high standards as all residence halls. Greek-letter organizations at Colgate are advised by professional staff and receive guidance and support from their national chapter as well as from their organizations alumni advisors.

Colgate students have the opportunity to join more than 150 recognized student organizations, including among the eight recognized fraternities and sororities. Greek-letter affiliation represents just one of the many ways students are involved at Colgate. Indeed, of the 30 percent of students who choose to affiliate with a Greek letter organization, nearly all of them are also involved in many other curricular and co-curricular activities, undergraduate research, or athletic commitments. Not every member of a Greek letter organization lives in the chapter house (only juniors and seniors are eligible), although each chapter house is comprised solely of members of that organization.

Colgate is committed to an environment that is free of discrimination and as such, there shall be no discrimination based on race, creed, religion, color, national origin, or sexual orientation in the selection of fraternity and sorority members. Members are selected solely on the basis of personal merit and the potential for positive contributions to the chapter’s values and objectives. Chapters who demonstrate actions against this principle will forfeit recognition by the university and lose their chapter house. Greek letter organizations are responsible for following the policies of their international and national headquarters; Colgate works cooperatively with these national organizations to ensure consistent standards.

No Colgate student may rush, pledge, join, recruit for, perpetuate, or otherwise engage in activities as an actual or prospective member of an undergraduate fraternal or similarly selective membership organization not recognized by the University. Anyone who engages in such activities, as an actual or prospective member, will be subject to disciplinary activities that may include suspension or expulsion from the university.

ROTC Program

Students attending Colgate can participate in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) through a program administered at Syracuse University. ROTC offers two- to four-year programs with the opportunity for merit-based scholarships. (See Financial Aid .) For more information, call the Syracuse University ROTC program at 315-443-2462, or view information online at armyrotc.syr.edu.

Student Services

Student Health Services

Student Health Services promotes a healthy lifestyle through education and preventative medical care and provides diagnostic services and treatment of illness and medical conditions. Services include general medical treatment, including treatment for minor injuries or surgery, contraceptive counseling, testicular exams, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy option counseling, immunizations and travel counseling.

Student Health Services is located adjacent to Colgate’s athletic facilities. Staffed by a full-time physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, and team of nurses, Student Health Services is open weekdays and Saturdays while Colgate is in session. The staff is also on call after hours and emergency cases may be processed through the emergency room of Community Memorial Hospital. 

Student Health Services adheres to New York State health regulations and all services. Medical information is strictly confidential and may be released only with the written permission of the student. The medical record is not accessible to anyone other than the professional staff of the Student Health Center. In case of a serious medical emergency, family and the dean of students will be notified.

Medical Coverage After matriculation, any treatment undertaken while the student is off campus should be reported to the director of Health Services. Students with pre-existing health problems, injuries, or disabilities should contact the director of Health Services to discuss their ongoing health needs and the availability of local or out-of-town services. The university is not responsible for transportation to health care facilities in other communities.

The university requires students to carry acceptable health and accident insurance, either through their family plan or a policy available through the university. (See Insurance .)

Counseling and Psychological Services The university’s Office of Counseling and Psychological Services (C&PS) is staffed by psychologists, social workers, and counselors representing a wide range of backgrounds, training, and professional interests. Students are offered counsel on a variety of psychological, interpersonal, and academic problems that may interfere with educational and/or personal development.

Information obtained in counseling is held in the strictest confidence and will not be communicated by C&PS to anyone unless requested by the student, required by law, or to avoid what appears to be a clear and imminent danger to the student or others. Information would be released only after most careful deliberation and then only to appropriate persons.

Individual and group psychotherapy and counseling are provided. In addition, outreach programs (addressing a variety of issues including eating disorders, stress management, and relationship concerns), emergency services, crisis intervention, and consultation are offered to individuals and student groups. Specialized counseling and support services for survivors of sexual assault are available. Offices in Conant House, where C&PS is located, are open weekdays between 8:30 a.m. - noon and 1:30p.m. - 5:00 p.m.; staff members are on call for emergencies after hours and on weekends.

Haven, located in the garden level of Curtis Hall, is Colgate’s sexual assault response center. Haven provides confidential care, support, advocacy, and trauma-informed clinical services for survivors of sexual assault and other forms of sexual or intimate partner violence. Services offered include individual counseling, group therapy, consultation, crisis intervention, as well as sexual assault awareness, prevention, and educational outreach and programming in collaboration with on- and off-campus partners.

Religious Life and Organizations

The college years are often a time when people shape and refine their fundamental life commitments. The Office of the Chaplains serves the Colgate community by providing a dynamic, friendly, and supportive place in which students can seek answers to life’s biggest questions. Students are encouraged to become the best versions of themselves, growing as people of integrity and commitment. To do this, strong, active faith communities are cultivated. It is the hope that, through participation in Colgate’s religious communities, students are brought to a greater understanding of and fidelity toward their own traditions.

Interfaith partnership is a strongly held value at Colgate. The interfaith dynamic recognizes substantive differences while also promoting respect and friendship across religious lines. Since college provides a great opportunity to explore the ways in which others make sense of the world, our program promotes interfaith understanding and cooperation.

In embracing Colgate’s motto, “For God and Truth,” the Office of the Chaplains works collaboratively with Colgate’s faculty and staff to provide students with intellectually robust ways to integrate their religious and ethical commitments with their academic pursuits.

The Colgate Buddhist Community (CBC), founded in 2003, meets regularly for meditation. A student-run organization that is run collaboratively with faculty and staff, the group facilitates discussions on Buddhist thought and how to integrate the teachings into the lives of busy college students.

Colgate Christian Fellowship (CCF) is the student-led chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF). It maintains close relationships with churches in the area as well as the chaplains at Colgate. The CCF sponsors weekly large group meetings, regular small group bible studies, speakers, social events, and service projects.

The Colgate Newman Community is the Catholic group at Colgate. The Newman Community has four primary concerns: (1) the worship of Jesus Christ (2) service and hospitality to the needy (3) education and spiritual formation and, (4) building community through social activities. The Newman Community is centered in the celebration of the Eucharist and seeks to create a faithful Catholic community on campus.

The Hindu Student Association (HSA) gives Hindu students an opportunity to observe their religion and also provides the community a chance to learn more about Hinduism. Besides regular prayer meetings, the HSA organizes an annual Diwali festival with prayers and festivities. The HSA also celebrates other holidays.

The Colgate Jewish Union/Hillel is a student-led organization that promotes Jewish religious, intellectual, and cultural life. The Saperstein Jewish Center houses kosher kitchens, a library of Judaica, and a lounge space. It is also home to a sanctuary where students lead services and prepare Shabbat dinner weekly.

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) provides an opportunity for Muslim students to worship, to socialize, and to educate themselves and others about Islam. The student-led group holds regular Friday Jummah prayers, Quranic study, Eid celebrations and iftar meals, halal dinners, film screenings, discussions, and excursions

University Church (UC) is Colgate’s Protestant community. UC is committed to embodying the diversity of the Body of Christ by celebrating a range of worship styles and ministry emphases. Worship is at 6:30pm on Sundays, followed by a catered dinner. Music is rich and varied, preaching is biblically centered and the Lord’s Supper is celebrated each week. University Church life is led by the Protestant Campus Minister and a student board of deacons. It includes Bible study lunches, speakers, social events, and service projects.

The Secular Association of Skeptical Students (SASS) is a student organization for those who share secular beliefs. Through philosophical discussion and scintillating guest speakers, students of non-religious views have an opportunity to add their voice to the interfaith discussion. SASS seeks to alleviate the stigma against non-theists by promoting education, cooperation, community service, and active involvement in the interfaith movement at Colgate.

Colgate Christian Athletes supports students of Colgate, athletes or not, in their Christian knowledge as they strive to live a Christian lifestyle at Colgate. The Colgate Christian Athletes meet weekly and meetings are led by the Protestant Campus Minister.

Heretics Club is a lunch discussion series that was created to elevate the conversation on campus about life’s “big questions.” Through lectures and conversations with a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students, the series demonstrates that people of different religious convictions and worldviews can have meaningful and productive conversation about ultimate ideas. 

Area congregations Students are welcome in local congregations including Cornerstone Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Park United Methodist Church, St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Hamilton Bible Fellowship, Randallsville New Life Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and a nearby Quaker meeting.

Residential Life

A residential liberal arts education furthers intellectualism, civic engagement, understanding, and respect for all aspects of diversity and inclusion, personal wellness and accountability, and the development of lifelong connections.

Colgate’s residential environment supports students’ formal education and, through extracurricular life, provides experiences and responsibilities of being a contributing member of a respectful and just community. This residential experience extends learning throughout the entirety of campus life.

The communities within student living areas offer a variety of experiences. These experiences include the Residential Commons program for all first-year students and many sophomores, sophomore residential seminars with an international travel component, interest communities where students learn skills of community building and civic engagement, and residences offering junior and senior students a more independent experience. A limited portion of the senior class is granted approval to live off-campus.

The university provides vibrant and diverse options for campus living, including traditional residence halls, thematic communities, townhouses, and apartment complexes. The university housing agreement is for a period of one academic year.

The Office of Residential Life is committed to student learning and growth in our residential community and to promoting a purposeful and inclusive environment through shared expectations. This is accomplished by promoting healthy, safe, and inclusive communities where individual members are valued and respected; fostering personal growth and success through a purposeful residential experience; and challenging and supporting students in making meaningful and responsible contributions to society. The department is managed by the director of residential life and is staffed by residential life professionals who provide guidance and support to all students.

Each living community on campus is overseen by an assistant director for residential life, who is responsible for the overall operation of the area. Each assistant director manages the staff, resources, community development, and administrative functions of a living community. The student staff of community leaders (CLs) serves as mentors and sources of information to assist students in making their Colgate experience as fulfilling as possible.

Residential Commons

The Residential Commons at Colgate is designed to provide a strong sense of community for students in their first years on campus, connecting them to faculty members and easing their transition to collegiate life. Beginning in the fall of 2017, every first- -year students, as well as many sophomores, will live in a traditional residence hall as a member of one of four faculty-led residential commons on campus. In each of these residential learning communities, faculty co-leaders will be especially engaged with students, holding study groups in the commons’ residence halls and organizing cultural and intellectual programming. Through community-service activities, recreational programming, and social outings and events, students will form lasting bonds with faculty, staff members, and their peers. The Ciccone Commons, housed in Curtis and Drake Halls, launched in fall 2015. Hancock Commons opened in fall of 2016 in the Bryan Complex. In the fall of 2017, Commons Three will open in Andrews, East, and Gate House, and Commons Four will open in Stillman and West.

Additional housing options for sophomores include the townhouses, commons social houses on Broad Street, 113 Broad Street, 100 Hamilton Street, and 76 Broad Street.

Interest Communities

One of the attractive features of residential life at Colgate is the opportunity to live in small, self-governed communities in which students learn skills of community building and civic engagement. Some of these communities have strong links to academic departments and faculty mentors. The university also offers residential communities without themes for small groups of students interested in living together. All provide students with opportunities for self-governance, leadership, and personal responsibility.

The interest communities offer diverse housing alternatives including fraternity and sorority houses, the Loj, Creative Arts House, Philanthropists at Colgate, Interfaith, Bunche House, La Casa, and Asia Interest House. These, and other house communities, complement the residential vision for the university and actively participate in the Broad Street Association, an inclusive board of students who provide funding for social events along Broad Street.

University Apartments and Townhouses

The university manages and maintains three apartment complexes (Newell, Parker, and University Court) and a townhouse complex that accommodate sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The units are furnished and have complete kitchens. While sophomores are required to be on a Colgate meal plan, junior and senior residents typically do their own cooking, but they are also welcome to purchase dining hall meal plans.

Meal Plans

First-year and sophomore students, as well as any upper-level student living in a traditional residence hall, are required to be on the most comprehensive meal plan offered. Juniors and seniors not living in traditional residence halls may choose from a variety of meal plan options, or can opt out of a meal plan altogether. All meal plans provide flexibility for use in any of the dining facilities, at a wide variety of times.

Off-Campus Housing

Consistent with Colgate’s four-year approach to residential education, the university allows a small number of seniors to live off campus in apartments and other housing units. The option to live independently off campus is intended to provide students with the opportunity to develop the skills needed to manage a household and live as part of a broader community, and to accept the responsibilities attendant to this privilege. The experiences that students gather through negotiating a lease, paying rent, managing routine expenses, cooking for themselves, and living among neighbors of varied ages and backgrounds can be invaluable in preparing them for life after college.

For a variety of reasons, living off campus is not the right choice for all students. For many, the opportunity to live in interest houses or to develop on-campus communities in Colgate-owned apartments or townhouses will better meet their interests. Moreover, Colgate is acutely aware of the impact that off-campus students can have on the local residential community. As such, Colgate limits the number of students allowed to live off campus. Seniors who wish to live off campus must apply to the Office of Residential Life for permission to do so. Permission is granted, on a group basis, through a lottery process conducted in the fall semester of junior year.

University Governance

The University Governance System

An Academic Affairs Board and a Student Affairs Board, both of which are composed of faculty, students, and administrators, participate in the development of policies concerning academic and extracurricular life. In addition, there are several liaison committees that report to the faculty and Student Senate and act in an advisory capacity to members of the president’s cabinet.

The faculty and the Student Senate may review decisions of the Academic and Student Affairs Boards, hear regular reports from the liaison committees that affect their principal areas of interest, and also recommend that the boards and committees act in any area under their jurisdiction.

University Code of Student Conduct

Students at Colgate University accept membership in an academic community dedicated to the pursuit of intellectual and personal growth. As a liberal arts institution, Colgate seeks to provide opportunities for students, both inside and outside the classroom, to develop critical thinking, integrity, judgment, a common experience of learning, appreciation of cultural and ethnic diversity, as well as the social and ethical values necessary for community life.

Colgate expects its students to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with the institutional community’s pursuit of its educational objectives. The integrity of the Colgate community depends upon each member’s acceptance of individual responsibility and respect for the rights of others. Colgate expects that its students will not lie, steal, cheat, or engage in dishonest or unlawful behavior or any other behavior intended to inflict physical or emotional harm on oneself, another person, or the community. Colgate students must abide by university policies and comply with directions of university officials acting in performance of their duties.

Student Discipline

The System of University Standards and Student Conduct resolves possible violations of the University Code of Student Conduct by matriculated or enrolled Colgate students on or off campus. It is not a substitute for any civil or criminal court proceedings. Students on campus, as well as off campus, are subject to federal, state, and local laws.

As part of its disciplinary structure, the university maintains a University Student Conduct Board composed of students, faculty, and administrators. It hears cases involving violations of the University Code of Student Conduct.

The procedures and rules for student discipline are published in the Colgate Student Handbook.

Academic Honor Code

The Colgate Student Handbook outlines Colgate’s standards of academic integrity and the Academic Honor Code. The handbook defines academic dishonesty and outlines how cases of suspected academic dishonesty are reported, investigated, and resolved.

Policy on Public Order and/or Hazing

Colgate is committed to conducting its affairs in an orderly manner and to maintaining a sense of community. It is also committed to the discharge of legal and moral responsibilities, especially as they relate to the rights of freedom of speech and peaceful assembly in the university community. Lawlessness in any form, or for any reason, will not be tolerated. Specifically prohibited is any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health, or involves the forced consumption of alcohol or drugs for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with any organization. For the full policy on hazing, see the Colgate Student Handbook.

Individuals or groups who engage in acts that, in the judgment of the president of the university or designated representatives, violate public order on university property or on property supervised by the university, or who ignore or refuse to comply with specific university directives designed to maintain public order, or who pose a threat to the lives or safety of themselves or others, will be advised of the following consequences of such acts:

1. Visitors or licensees will be directed to leave the university property or be subject to immediate arrest and removal.
2. Students, faculty, staff, or other employees will be suspended from whatever status the individual has with the university and/or be subject to such other penalties deemed to be more effective. Disciplinary actions will be subject to review by the appropriate body by procedures adopted by the faculty for faculty members, by the University Student Conduct Board for students, and by the president of the university or designates for all others.
3. Failure by students, members of the faculty or staff, or other employees to comply with university directives may result in civil or criminal prosecution of the individuals or groups concerned including, if necessary, ejection from the university property or property supervised by the university. Other disciplinary action including expulsion or dismissal will be taken by the university as deemed appropriate.
4. Any organization that authorizes or permits proscribed conduct referred to above shall be subject to rescission of permission for that organization to operate on campus property.

The above resolution was moved, duly seconded, and formally voted at the meeting of the Colgate University Board of Trustees on November 12, 1980, a quorum as required by the Bylaws being present for the conduct of business.

Campus Crime Reporting and Statistics

Colgate University is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and secure environment for the entire University community, including visitors. All members of the Colgate community are encouraged to promptly report crimes and fires to the Campus Safety Department by dialing 315-228-7911. Campus Safety is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Campus Safety Department will provide upon request a copy of Colgate’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported:

1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and
2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities.

The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. To obtain a copy contact Gert Neubauer, Associate Director of Campus Safety, 315-228-7333, or via e-mail at gneubauer@colgate.edu. You may also access the report at: colgate.edu/campussafety.

Crime and fire statistics for all colleges and universities are available for review at the United States Department of Education’s website: ope.ed.gov/security/.

Athletics and Recreation

The Division of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics offers a stimulating and carefully planned variety of individual and team activities for the experienced, as well as inexperienced, participant. While Colgate’s varsity teams compete against some of the strongest teams in the nation, the intramural and club sports programs offer both competitive and noncompetitive recreational and instructional opportunities in extremely broad-based programs.

The campus governance system, through the Committee on Athletics, provides for faculty and student input into the varied programs of the Division of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics. The committee acts as an advisory body to the director of the division. Committee reports may go on to the Academic Affairs Board, faculty, or Student Senate.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Scope Colgate is a member of NCAA Division I and proud of its intercollegiate athletic traditions. The university has played an active and distinguished role in intercollegiate athletics since 1886 and currently fields teams in the following sports for men and women: basketball, cross country, ice hockey, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, swimming, tennis, and track and field; football and golf for men; and field hockey, softball, and volleyball for women. All teams compete in the Patriot League, with the exception of men’s and women’s ice hockey, which are members of the Eastern College Athletic Conference and men’s rowing, which is a member of the International Rowing Association.

Athletics Awards A varsity or a participation award is granted based on the number of years an athlete is a member of a varsity team.

The division recognizes outstanding scholar-athletes through the Patriot League Conference and the Eastern College Athletic Conference. See also Honors and Awards: Athletics  for information about Colgate awards for scholar athletes.

Athletics Managers Students who enjoy affiliation with sports, but are not members of varsity teams, can pursue their interests in athletics by serving as managers.

Other Athletics Activities

Club Sports provide additional opportunities for involvement in a, many of which are not normally offered through the intercollegiate varsity program. Competition is generally on a higher level than intramural sports, yet not as formal or intense as that at the varsity level.

The clubs are headed by student officers, and most are student coached. Although the university subsidizes these clubs, most require membership dues to help defray costs.

The following clubs are active at this time: badminton, baseball, women’s basketball, curling, cycling, equestrian (English and Western), fencing, field hockey, figure skating, golf, ice hockey, indoor rock climbing, juggling, lacrosse, martial arts (aikido, American karate, and tae kwon do), rugby, running, sailing, ski racing, soccer, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, and water polo.

Intramural Sports at Colgate have a rich tradition. Many activities are offered throughout the academic year, ranging from team sports such as, basketball, billiards, broomball, dodgeball, flag football, ice hockey, indoor soccer, soccer, and softball, to individual or dual activities such as trap shooting and bowling.

In the team sports, round-robin competition is established within leagues, culminating in all-university championship playoffs for the top teams. In the individual and dual sports, either elimination tournaments or championship meets determine all-university champions. Fees are charged for bowling and trap shooting.

Informal Recreation Informal “drop-in” recreational time is made available so that students can participate at their leisure. Except for physical education classes, intercollegiate athletic practice times, and formal intramural time, most facilities are scheduled for open recreation. Popular activities include basketball, ice skating, racquetball, squash, swimming, tennis, and fitness training.

Fitness Since the opening of the state-of-the-art Trudy Fitness Center in 2011, fitness and wellness programming have been in high demand. Colgate offers a wide range of group exercise classes for all fitness levels. Group exercise classes are offered throughout the academic year and are a fun and social way to be physically active. Class offerings include yoga, indoor cycling, aerobics, Pilates, dance fitness and high intensity interval training. In addition to group exercise classes, Colgate Recreation offers fitness center orientations, workshops on various health and fitness topics and personal training services. Personal training is a fee-based service and all Colgate Personal Trainers are certified professionals by an accredited organization.

Outdoor Education The mission of Colgate’s Outdoor Education Program is to provide the community with experiential opportunities that emphasize safety, environmental awareness, and technical skills, while promoting personal growth and group development through rediscovery of the natural world. Students may earn physical education credit for participation in outdoor education activities and courses. Outdoor education courses offered for physical education credit are noncompetitive in nature and are designed to meet the needs of beginning- and intermediate-level participants. Courses taught include flat and whitewater kayaking and canoeing; backpacking; Nordic skiing (classical, skate, and telemark); caving; rock, ice, and tree climbing; snowshoeing; wilderness survival; fly fishing; winter and summer camping; geocaching; peak and day hiking; and backcountry cooking.

The program also includes a selective and intensive leadership staff training program through which student leaders are taught technical outdoor skills, environmental education, safety awareness, and group facilitation skills. Staff training consists of classroom time and experiential outings, including camping trips to the Adirondacks and a Wilderness First Responder medical certification course.

For more information about the Outdoor Education Program and its offerings, see Physical Education.

Athletics Facilities

Abrahamson Tennis Courts

• Eight outdoor courts

Athletics Fields

• 400-meter all-weather track
• Andy Kerr Stadium and Frederick H. Dunlap Stands - varsity football and lacrosse
• Beyer-Small ‘76 Field
• Football practice fields
• Harry Lang Cross-Country and Fitness Trail
• Hooks Wiltse Field - varsity softball diamond
• Intramural and club fields
• Soccer practice fields
• Tyler’s Field - outdoor artificial surface practice and competition field, field hockey and lacrosse

The Beattie Reserve

• 85-acre wooded area with a mile-long nature trail for hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing; a 30-foot diameter yurt with woodstove and outhouse; and an Adirondack-style lean-to for camping, located near campus on Bonney Road

Class of 1965 Arena

• Steven J. Riggs ‘65 Rink
• Tighe P. Sullivan ‘83, P’16, ‘17, ‘19 Reception Suite
• Equipment and training rooms

Colgate University Seven Oaks Golf Course

• Practice range
• Robert Trent Jones championship course

Glendening Boathouse

• Home for varsity rowing programs and recreational sailing, canoeing, kayaking, and rowing on nearby Lake Moraine

Huntington Gymnasium

• Facilities for physical education classes, club and intramural sports, and recreation:
  • Angert Family Climbing Wall
  • Basketball/volleyball courts
  • Group Exercise Studios
  • Gymnasium
  • Huntington Equipment Services
  • Indoor Cycling Studio
  • Mark P. Buttitta ‘74 Varsity Weight Room
  • Martial Arts Studio
  • Persson Dance Studio
  • Sauna
  • Squash, handball, and racquetball courts

Harry H. Lang Cross-Country Course

• Intercollegiate cross-country course for men and women
• 10-km cross-country ski trail system

Grace L. Lineberry Natatorium

• An L-shaped, 50-meter, 6-lane pool, with a 50-yard competition area, one- and three-meter diving stations, and movable bulk-heads that allow the pool to be separated into three teaching areas

Outdoor Education Base Camp

• Classroom and meeting space for outdoor education courses and activities
• Outdoor equipment rental center with an extensive inventory of camping, backpacking, skiing, and snowshoeing equipment
• Resource library of maps, books, and videos

William A. Reid Athletic Center

• Geyer/Campbell Sports Medicine Center
• Howard Starr Hockey Rink
• Wesley M. Cotterell Court - basketball and volleyball

Charles H. Sanford Field House

• 200-meter track
• All-purpose practice surface
• Batting cages
• Doering First Aid Room
• Long- and high-jump areas
• Tennis courts - four indoor

Trap Range

• Trap range and club house facility

Trudy Fitness Center

• A state-of-the-art fitness center available to members of the campus and local community; with common space for exercise, wellness-related activity, and cardiovascular and strength equipment