Participation in clubs and organizations helps to round out the college experience by sharpening organizational, leadership and communication skills. The Student Activities Center serves as a resource to all student organizations to assist in developing their group and providing materials for publicizing their activities. Please contact the Student Activities Center at 217.245.3094 for more information on any of the following organizations.
CAMPUS WIDE PROGRAMING / GOVERNING
:: Homecoming Committee: Homecoming is a long-standing tradition at Illinois College. The many activities planned for homecoming week include the pep rally, parade, formal dance, Follies and much more!
:: Student Activities Board (SAB): The Illinois College Student Activities Board (SAB) is an organization consisting of five student-run committees dedicated to providing a wide variety of programs geared toward the entire Illinois College community. In addition to the entertainment SAB provides, the students involved gain valuable leadership experiences and new friends all while having a great time doing it!
:: Student Forum: The student government body at Illinois College is called Student Forum. Student Forum attempts to reflect student opinion on basic and important issues of college life and will act as a representative of the student body at all times working to promote the best interest of the students within the larger context of the Illinois College community.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
:: American Cancer Society – Colleges Against Cancer: The purpose of this group is to foster a nationwide collaboration of college students, faculty and staff dedicated to eliminating cancer by initiating and supporting programs of the American Cancer Society at Illinois College.
:: Amnesty International: This organization strives to educate and advocate for human rights, end human rights violations internationally and organize campaigns to rescue individuals at risk.
:: Best Buddies: Best Buddies provides an opportunity for Illinois College students to be matched in a one-to-one friendship with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
:: Circle K Club: The Circle K Club focuses on leadership development and co-educational service through civic engagement activities.
:: Illinois College Environmentalists (ICE): In order to increase awareness of environmental issues, ICE shall exist to educate and serve the Jacksonville and Illinois College communities.
:: Peer Health Educators (PHE’s): The PHE’s promote healthy lifestyles and wellness by providing educational and social activities.
:: Progressive Action Coalition (PAC): The purpose of this organization is to create positive social change by building a visible presence and vocalizing alternative viewpoints within the Illinois College community. PAC strives to do this by promoting tolerance, personal and global responsibility, peace and non-violence, social and economic justice, human rights, quality of life and integrity.
:: Straights and Gays for Equality (SAGE): The purpose of this organization is to increase general awareness of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) issues. SAGE also serves as a bridge between gay and straight members of the Illinois College community, encouraging unity, diversity and a greater understanding and acceptance of the GLBT community in society.
:: Up ’til Dawn: Up ’til Dawn is a student run organization that works to unite the Illinois College campus in order to raise funds and awareness for the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
CLUB SPORTS / SPIRIT
:: Archery Club: This organization promotes the sport of archery to men and women through participation in club activities and socials. Members of the club are taught about bow mechanics, how to properly and safely operate bows so no experience is necessary.
:: Cheer Team: The cheer team promotes school spirit at sports events.
:: Dance Team: The dance team promotes school spirit by performing dance routines at football and basketball games.
CULTURAL / INTERNATIONAL
:: Coalition for Ethnic Awareness (CEA): CEA promotes racial/cultural harmony on the campus and allows the student body to experience different cultures.
DEPARTMENTAL
:: Debate Team: Through the Debate Team, students have the opportunity to participate in state and national competitions of policy debate, value debate, parliamentary debate and speech events.
:: Model United Nations: The Model UN strives to enrich the knowledge of its members in the arenas of global politics, economics, human welfare and environmental causes.
:: Sociology Club: The Sociology Club works to provide learning experiences that will be educationally illuminating and prepare students for a future in sociology. The club also provides service opportunities and works to inform students of career and summer opportunities in sociology related fields.
:: Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC): The purpose of SAAC is to bring together student-athletes that are striving to have an impact on the athletic department and campus community. The committee promotes genuine character through teaching the ideals of equality, sportsmanship and public contributions. They aim to have voice around the campus in the hopes of bringing new ideas and opportunities to Illinois College.
:: TheatreWorks: This campus theatre organization produces three mainstage productions annually with the auditions open to all students and faculty.
LITERARY SOCIETIESFrom the early days of the College, the literary societies have retained many traditions: debates, extemporaneous speeches and literary criticism. Trophies signifying literary excellence are awarded annually to men’s and women’s societies as a result of meetings judged by members of the faculty and staff. The societies also provide for their members a well developed social program.
The societies for men are, in order of their founding, Sigma Pi, Phi Alpha, Gamma Nu and Pi Pi Rho. The societies for women are Gamma Delta, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Chi Beta. Meeting rooms for the literary societies are provided in Beecher Hall, Baxter Hall and the David A. Smith House.
MUSIC
:: Blue Tie Affair: Illinois College’s premier men’s a cappella ensemble invites you to join them! Blue Tie Affair performs various popular and classical styles for campus and sporting events, community groups and other concerts.
:: Clarinet Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Trio, Flute Choir, etc: True Blue musicians often create voluntary small groups to perform for convocations, recitals and other special events. Students are encouraged to connect with other performers for creative musical experiences.
:: Concert Choir: Open to musicians of all levels, the Illinois College Concert Choir performs a wide range of choral styles. A focus on musical expression and unity make this ensemble a favorite around the community and state. If you’re looking for a place to belong, make new friends and challenge yourself to be more, the IC Concert Choir is for you.
:: Chamber Singers: By audition only, the Chamber Singers are an elite group of highly skilled and talented singers with a focus on excellence. The Chamber Singers perform widely for campus events and members serve as ambassadors to the community.
:: Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra: String players (and other instrumentalists by audition) may receive Illinois College credit for joining the Jacksonville Symphony, a long-standing and acclaimed Jacksonville institution. The Symphony Orchestra performs four concerts per season, and often combines the Symphonic Chorale, a community chorus open to Jacksonville-area residents.
:: Jazz Ensemble: The Illinois College Jazz Ensemble features many of our most talented musicians. The group specializes in diverse contemporary styles, such as jazz, swing, blues, rock and Latin music. Members also develop improvisational skills, and the group often breaks into smaller combos with flexible instrumentation.
:: Pep Band: The Pep Band is open to all instrumentalists and performs at home football and basketball games, occasionally travelling with the team. Join in and cheer our Lady Blues and Blueboys to victory!
:: Sapphire: Illinois College’s premier women’s a cappella ensemble invites you to join them! Sapphire performs various popular and classical styles for campus and sporting events, community groups and other concerts.
:: Wind Ensemble: Open to all instrumentalists regardless of major, the IC Wind Ensemble is dedicated to ensemble unity while recognizing and nourishing the individual musician. Self discipline, concentration, cooperation and mutual respect are the hallmarks of the group. Frequent tours and local performances highlight the year and members are also invited to perform with the Pep Band at home football and basketball games.
NATIONAL ACADEMIC HONORARY FRATERNITIES / SOCIETIES
Departmental chapters of the following national honorary fraternities/societies have been established on campus: Alpha Kappa Delta (sociology), Alpha Psi Omega (theatre), Beta Beta Beta (biology), Delta Mu Delta (business), Iota Iota Iota (Gender & Women’s Studies), Kappa Delta Pi (education), Lambda Pi Eta (communication), Omicron Delta Epsilon (economics), Phi Alpha Theta (history), Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Sigma Iota (modern language), Pi Kappa Delta (forensics), Psi Chi (psychology), Sigma Tau Delta (English), and Theta Alpha Kappa (religion).
RELIGIOUS
:: Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC): BASIC is a fellowship group that guides members in Christian growth and discipleship.
:: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA): The mission of FCA is to present to athletes and coaches, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
:: Newman Catholic Community: The members are Catholic Christians attempting to reach full participation of all Catholic students enrolled at Illinois College by providing discussions and activities.
:: REIGN: The purpose of this student group is to promote spiritual and moral growth of the individual student through discipleship, fellowship and worship, as well as develop balanced Christian personalities, foster deeper spiritual growth and intellectual affirmation of faith.
:: Smooth Stones: The purpose of “Smooth Stones” is to organize and run Christian worship services outside of the normal chapel time.
SERVICE FRATERNITY
:: Alpha Phi Omega (APO): APO is a national co-ed service fraternity founded in the fellowship principles of the scouting movement. Its members work to develop leadership, promote friendship and provide service.
SPECIAL INTEREST
:: Accounting Club: The Accounting Club provides opportunities for students to meet and learn more about the accounting field.
:: Art Club: The purpose of the Art Club is to create a supporting community for all levels of artists and people interested in the visual arts.
:: Chemistry Club: The purpose of the Chemistry Club is to bring chemistry out of the classroom and present the ideas of chemistry in an exciting and intelligent way to those interested.
:: Code Blue: This group helps support athletic teams on campus on students connect with peers.
:: Computer Club: The Computer Club educates students about computers and how they are a part of our everyday life.
:: French Club: The French Club provides the Illinois College community with activities that supplement learning in the classroom and provides events that will introduce students to Francophone culture.
:: History of Tomorrow: The History of Tomorrow provides opportunities to students at Illinois College to learn history and sponsors activities promoting history.
:: Investment Club: The Investment Club offers an opportunity to learn and invest with an actual portfolio.
:: Math Club: The Math Club provides opportunities for students interested in math to develop an understanding of the discipline outside the classroom.
:: OASIS (Outdoor Adventure Club): OASIS promotes adventurous spirit, sponsors alternative outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking, bicycling, etc. and provides outdoor education.
:: Parker After Dark: Provides students who are interested in biology an opportunity to interact, discuss biological subjects and to hear about biological field occupations.
:: Phi Alpha Delta: The purpose of Phi Alpha Delta is to provide students the opportunity to learn about law schools and the profession of law.
:: Psychology Club: The Psychology Club aims at giving students of all majors a chance to learn about the field of psychology (i.e. prospective jobs/careers, internships).
:: Radio Club: The purpose of this club is to create, maintain and provide a radio station for the Illinois College campus in order to further improve communication throughout the campus community.
:: Secular Student Alliance: The purpose of this organization is to challenge students to be open-minded towards new knowledge, critical reason, and factual evidence for all ideologies, theories and traditions. The group strives to demonstrate humanism through direct action within the community and to educate others on non-religious thought.
:: Student Alumni Association (SAA): SAA connects students and alumni, assists the Office of Alumni and Alumni Board of Directors with alumni activities and prepares students to be future alumni.
:: Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE): SIFE educates the community on entrepreneurship and deficit reduction facts and information that goes beyond textbook learning.
:: Tomorrow’s Teachers: Tomorrow’s Teachers provides key academic and social activities for students interested in the field of education.
:: Quidditch Club: The organization spreads the sport of Quidditch to the campus community while allowing students to engage in social and physical activity in a competitive and energetic environment.
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS:: Forté:
Forté is a student written and edited literary and art journal.
:: Rambler:
The Rambler is the campus newspaper that is published twice a month.
:: Hilltop:
The Hilltop is the campus yearbook published and distributed in the fall.
:: Viewpoints:
Viewpoints is a student-written and edited political journal.