Organizations
Organization Resources
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Vassar boasts more than 120 unique student organizations, ranging from comedy troupes to debate teams. Organizations are entirely student-run, and manage their own annual budgets. Below, read about each of our organizations and begin reaching out to organizations that interest you. Groups are always looking for new members. Are you involved?
Accidentals
Ryan Greenlee (accidentals.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Accidentals is the first of Vassar’s two current all-male a-cappella groups, founded in 1980. It has rotating membership with new members auditioned as old members graduate. The Axies usually perform for dorm dinners, campus parties and Founder’s Day, as well as singing at other colleges and Alumni House. These travels usually include a spring-break trip somewhere southern like Florida. They also hold three major concerts a year: an a-cappella jam with all of the other groups on campus, a post-holiday concert with guest groups from other schools and a post-road trip concert with guest groups.
Act Out
Casey Katims, Leslie Hamilton (actout.vsa@vassar.edu)
ACT OUT is a political advocacy group that promotes full legal equality for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) individuals. It was formed after a Vassar student was arrested at West Point Military Academy during a protest against "Don't Ask Don't Tell." Each year ACT OUT chooses to address specific issues facing the LGBTQ community, which have included marriage equality, open service in the military, and coming out issues. The group organizes and participates in protests, awareness campaigns, civil disobedience, political actions, and fundraising.
African Students Union
Aya Fanny (asu.vsa@vassar.edu)
The African Students’ Union, formerly known as the Africa Club, came into existence as the Vassar Association of African Students in 1992 and was founded in an effort to stimulate an environment more sensitive to the particular academic, political, social, and psychological concerns of African students attending Vassar College. Membership is open to all matriculated students at Vassar College and all Africans not matriculated at Vassar to serve as a motivation for cultivation of all members on the social, academic and psychological fronts.
Aikido Club
Jeff Stickle (aikido.vsa@vassar.edu)
Aikido is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes timing and balance breaking as the keys to successfully applying joint locks, throws and submission holds. Aikido focuses on redirecting the opponent’s energy and using it against them, rather than exerting force on the opponent and therefore does not depend on body strength. Practices are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., attendance is not mandatory and the club is open to any members of the Vassar community.
AirCappella
Sadie Burzan (aircappella.vsa@vassar.edu)
AirCappella is Vassar College’s premier all-whistling a cappella group. Since its conception in 2005, AirCappella has made its way into the spotlight of worldwide professional whistling, having represented Vassar at the 2009 International Whistlers Convention in Louisburg, North Carolina.
Amnesty International
Amy Weintraub (amnestyinternational.vsa@vassar.edu)
Amnesty International is an independent, worldwide human rights organization that works to free all people detained for the non-violent exercise of belief, or for their race, sex, ethnicity, language, or religion. It strives toward fair and speedy trials for political prisoners and for an end to torture, political killings, and the death penalty. Their work is based upon the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all such international agreements. Amnesty condemns, terrorism, taking of hostages, or any killing or torturing of prisoners by armed opposition groups and takes action by writing letters and petitions, setting up informational tables, increasing awareness about international events pertaining to human rights, and sponsoring special events to coincide with days of particular import, such as Human Rights Week.
Asian Quilt
Amy Feltman (asianquilt.vsa@vassar.edu)
AQ (formerly Asian Quilt) is an anthology featuring works highlighting a broad spectrum of commentary on the Asian American experience. AQ is dedicated to filling in the gaps we see in our communities. We pride ourselves on including submissions from the Vassar student body, students from other schools, alumnae/i and professional writers. Now in its tenth year, AQ is a nationally recognized and distributed as an undergraduate art and literary journal that draws contributors from all corners of the country. We have featured poems, short stories, essays, spoken word pieces, photographs, paintings and prints. All are welcome to submit — we discriminate only on basis of talent! Please contact us at asianquilt@vassar.edu
Asian Student's Alliance
Iris Xu (asa.vsa@vassar.edu)
The primary goal of the Asian Student’s Alliance is for Asians and Asian-Americans to succeed and develop a strong sense of identity and to educate the larger community about the issues concerning Asians and Asian-Americans. To promote this goal, the members of ASA encourage the pursuit of cultural and linguistic knowledge of their ancestors to ensure that there is an understanding of Asian and Asian-American roots. The ASA will provide support to its members and serve as a body to represent, to the best of its ability, the distinct cultures of all of the members of ASA. ASA’s support extends to the community of color at large as well as other social awareness groups.
Ballroom Dancing
Kyle Epstein (ballroom.vsa@vassar.edu)
Ballroom styles have lost their reputation as the fun and suave set of movements they once were. To this generation, ballroom dancing is of the past. Some believe it’s only for the elderly. Well, we think otherwise. Ballroom is fresh. Our club is here to give everyone the chance to put on their ballroom shoes and sweep the dance floor. We invite students from everyone corner of the campus to join our club. Yes, you, definitely, you can do it. Before you know it, you will be wowing the crowd at our club’s version of the hottest show on TV, “Dancing with the Stars.” You don’t need any experience at all. The only thing you need is the passion to tango, the fire to mambo, the grace to waltz, the energy to swing, the spirit to foxtrot, the desire to rhumba, the heart to learn.
Barefoot Monkeys
Stacey Kigner (barefootmonkeys.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Barefoot Monkeys is the rather unique name for this newly recognized Vassar organization. It is the official name of the group formerly known as the Vassar College Jugglers. The group exists to increase juggling awareness in the Vassar community, provide an opportunity for Vassar and its surrounding community to learn to juggle, and to maintain a regular forum, educating and entertaining all prospective jugglers. All one needs to become a Barefoot Monkey is the desire to learn, to juggle and to have a great time trying.
Better Body Image Project
Vendela Fehrm (betterbodyimage.vsa@vassar.edu)
In an environment increasingly preoccupied with appearances, BBIP seeks to promote healthy body image on campus, and to foster a spirit of community without judgment. We feel that college is a time of experimentation, adjustment, and discovery not only of an intellectual nature, but also in terms of our bodies. In working with the Office of Health Education, our mission is to help students pursue health in the most comprehensive sense, striving towards a physical and psychological state of well-being.
Black Students Union (BSU)
Marquise Hopson (blackstudentsunion.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Black Student Union is a student organization established to meet the needs and concerns of the Black students on Vassar’s campus. Its dual purpose is to provide an on-campus support system for the individual Black student while establishing and cementing ties with our sisters and brothers on other campuses and to serve as a viable political, educational, and cultural force. Its goal is to cultivate sensitivity and awareness of various Black issues and concerns in the hope it will enlighten and foster a more diverse, informed Vassar community. Membership to the BSU is open to any Vassar student who is strongly committed to the tasks of the organization.
Broadway A Cappella
Kara Voght (broadwayacappella.vsa@vassar.edu)
Broadway and More A Capella, affectionately known as BAM!, is Vassar's only Broadway a capella group. Co-ed and entirely student-run, the group arranges its own versions of everyone's favorite showtunes. Music styles range from classics like "Chicago" to modern hits like "Rent" and "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." While Broadway is certainly at the core of its repertoire, the group arranges and sings any song loosely defined as a "showtune," including Disney songs, movie soundtracks, and TV show themes. Membership by audition; must like sing-a-longs.
Camerata
Emily Bookwalter (camerata.vsa@vassar.edu)
Carribean Students Alliance (CSA)
Davene Daley and Kristine Bell
The Caribbean Students Alliance (CSA) is an organization established to educate the Vassar community on the different traditional, cultural, social and political aspects of Caribbean life and people. One of its important functions as a student organization is to serve as a support system by providing a union where Caribbean students can express and celebrate their cultural diversity. Membership to the Caribbean Students Alliance is all inclusive. All members of the Vassar community willing to uphold the CSA constitution are welcome to bear membership and partake in its celebrations and in its endeavors to educate. The CSA will provide the campus with a valuable source of information pertaining to Caribbean issues.
Catalyst
Robyn Smigel (catalyst.vsa@vassar.edu)
Catholic Community
Katrina Mateo (catholiccommunity.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Catholic Community at Vassar works to foster three elements of religious life for those who identify themselves as Catholic in the wider Vassar Community: Faith, Community, Social Justice. As faith is the cornerstone for our identity, we will encourage Catholics to deepen and enrich their faith. We organize means for the community to interact both internally and externally in order to communicate our goals, needs, and frustrations as a collective body. We provide opportunities for all to work towards social justice on all levels of society and heighten our sense of responsibility to the world around us.
Ceramics Club
Sierra Starr (ceramics.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vassar Ceramics Club provides students with an interest in the clay arts with the means and resources to pursue their work. The club has studio space at Barrett Clay Works in downtown Poughkeepsie, which includes access to wheels, tools, and an electric kiln. Students with all skill levels are welcome. Workshops and other events will be held.
CHOICE
Katie Interlichia (choice@vassar.edu)
C.H.O.I.C.E stands for Campus Health Organization for Information, Contraception, and Education. Our mission is to educate the campus about sexual health issues by distributing information about pregnancy, STIs, and contraception and to help to promote safer sex by providing free condoms, latex gloves, dental dams, and lubricant. We believe that safer sex and sexual health education are integral to creating a sexually healthy and informed student body here at Vassar. We have an email address (CHOICE@vassar.edu), as well as an AIM screen name (CHOICEatVassar), for people to request safer sex supplies, which are delivered to mailboxes, and confidentially and anonymously ask questions. The C.H.O.I.C.E office is located in the Jewett basement, to the right of the elevator, and is open to the entire Vassar Community during office hours. Members of the organization sit every Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 to 9:30 p.m. and Friday 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. C.H.O.I.C.E. allows students to borrow a variety of books and videos in the organization’s library that deal with topics like pregnancy, STIs, contraception, sexuality, and other sexual health concerns. Meetings are held every Sunday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. C.H.O.I.C.E. is a confidential and non-judgmental organization. Student educators are selected on a volunteer basis.
Christian Fellowship
Ming-Hui Tseng (christianfellowship.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vassar Christian Fellowship is affiliated with Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship, a student movement active at universities and colleges across the United States. The purposes of the Fellowship are to meet the needs of the Christian community, to provide members of the Christian community with an opportunity for fellowship and spiritual growth, and to inform the Vassar community of the Gospel of Jesus. Membership is open to all Vassar students regardless of race, color, sex, ethnicity, nationality, political or sexual orientation, marital status, or handicap. Non-Vassar students are open at the discretion of the leaders. The group’s major activities include a book table at least once a semester in the College Center with free Christian books, pamphlets, and information and the sponsoring of informative and relevant concerts, speakers, films, or discussions.
College Democrats
Elsie Raymer, Violet Edelman (democrats.vsa@vassar.edu)
Vassar College Democrats strives to serve as a conduit for Vassar's student body towards political advocacy, activism and discussion. Our aim is to engage students in the democratic process by encouraging one-hundred percent student voter turnout, protecting student voting rights, empowering students to become involved in national and local campaigns, and generating debate surrounding key political races and issues the surrounding them. Although VCD does work closely with party- affiliated organizations such as College Democrats of New York, College Democrats of America, Duchess County Young Democrats, Organizing for America, and others political organizations, we do not operate strictly alongside a party agenda. Rather, we encourage independent thought and open-minded discussion.
Contrast
Rachel Gilmer (contrast.vsa@vassar.edu)
Contrast: The Vassar College Style Magazine was founded in the spring of 2007 as the College's first and only fashion-related publication. We are completely student run, and manage all aspects of the creating the magazine. Contrast was founded in order to give students a creative outlet to express and explore the different aspects of fashion and style both on campus and off. We believe that fashion is a viable and valuable creative expression, and our mission is to reflect this in our publication. We strive to celebrate all aspects of style within the Vassar community while simultaneously incorporating the outside world. While our emphasis was initially on fashion, we also explore trends within music, the visual arts, and architecture as well.
Council of Black Seniors (CBS)
Dyana Boxley (councilblackseniors.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Council of Black Seniors(CBS) is an organization for pre-professional services, and social and cultural events that reflect the diversity of the senior class. The pre-professional component of CBS includes career fairs, workshops, seminars, on-campus interviewing and other venues of this nature that focus specifically, but not exclusively, on the needs of black seniors. These services are garnered to prepare the black senior for when they leave Vassar and enter the work force. The social and cultural component will focus on alternative programming designed to offer more diversity to the senior week proceedings. This programming consists primarily of the Baccalaureate Service and the Kente Cloth Ceremony.
Debate Society
Yisha Fan (debate.vsa@vassar.edu)
Debate-to deliberate; consider. To discuss opposing points. To argue formally. Nobody does it better than debate. The Vassar Virginia Smith Debate Society exists to provide a forum whereby all kinds of people can get together and argue the issues in an organized fashion. The Debate Society competes intercollegiately, nationally, and internationally in large-scale formal debate competitions. In years past, various debaters on the team have ranked among the top in the nation. Although the Debate Society spends most of its time off-campus, it also holds regular on-campus meetings and debate practice rounds. The Vassar Debate Society is open to all members of the Vassar community, especially the articulate, belligerent ones. Just kidding. (Mostly.)
Democracy Matters
Andrea Worby (democracymatters.vsa@vassar.edu)
Democracy Matters is a non-partisan, non-profit, national organization that strives to reinvigorate and further democratize our American political system. As members of Democracy Matters, we strive to make politicians more accountable to the people by getting big money out of politics. The Vassar Chapter of Democracy Matters is particularly committed to meaningful campaign finance reform to insure that all Americans, regardless of wealth, have an audible voice in our political system and that viable political candidates are not discouraged from running because they do not have sufficient access to wealth. Democracy Matters works to inform the general student body and the broader Poughkeepsie community about the downfalls of the current campaign finance system and how to rectify them, planning educational campaigns and events, leading rallies, and talking to high school students, civic organizations and others about bettering our democracy.
Episcopal Church at Vassar College (ECVC)
Stephen McCarthy (stmccarthy@vassar.edu)
ECVC is the Episcopal Church at Vassar College, an organization committed to exploring the Christian faith in a comprehensive and thoughtful manner. ECVC offers all students, faculty, and others a Christian community with which to grow, and to seek, love and serve God. Although the organization is particularly suited to adherents of the Episcopal Church and associated denominations, e.g. Lutherans (ELCA), it is integrally shaped by its present and former members who belong to various other denominations and none.
Entrepreneurs
Hongzhen Huang (entrepreneurs.vsa@vassar.edu)
If you always dream of setting up a business or organizing campus business activities, come and join like-minded peers to realize your dream. We participate in the annual business plan competition in Dutchess County, promote our new non-profit art sale organization, VASSART, and host lecture series about entrepreneurship, business and finance. If any business idea is ever burning in your mind, don’t hesitate to come to our weekly meetings and share with us.
Equestrian Club
Rachel Mestel (equestrian.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vassar College Equestrian Team offers competitive English riding at the intercollegiate level to any member of the Vassar student population. It maintains a membership in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association(IHSA) and competes with neighboring universities both semesters of the college season. Students are trained by instructors at The Southlands Foundation located in Rhinebeck, NY in weekly group lessons year-round. The group also tries to host/co-host an IHSA horse show every year or so. Members are expected to pay their own expenses but limited financial assistance is available in addition to the fundraising the group does to off-set costs. Although the Equestrian Team is a student-run club sport, a coach is also present to instruct and support the team during lessons and horse shows. As one member puts it: “We are not a recreational sport! We train weekly and compete regularly! We’re also now one of the largest club sports!” Well said.
Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA)
Irene Beauregard (FMLA.vsa@vassar.edu)
Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA) is a student-led organization devoted to pursuing feminist causes both on and off campus; locally, nationally, and globally. Feminist Alliance is open to people of all genders who are interested in ending gender oppression. On campus, Feminist Alliance is interested in raising awareness about the social, political, and economic inequality that is still widespread in our society, using different mediums such as discussions, panels, art, and musical/spoken word performances, and collaborating with different VSA organizations with a shared interest in feminist issues. Some issues that Feminist Alliance focuses on are: pay equity, reproductive rights, domestic violence, women and sexuality, women’s sexual health, women in science and math, extending feminism to all genders, body image, incorporating gender-non-conforming people into originally binary-based discussions, women as portrayed in the media, sex education, Vassar’s history as a women’s college, women in leadership positions, changing feminism’s stigma, LGBTQ rights and issues, same-sex marriage, sexual assault, fighting racism, issues concerning women of color, issues concerning disabled women’s rights, issues concerning women and class, divisions within the feminist movement, and global feminisms.
Forum for Political Thought
Guillermo Farias, Quynh Pham (Politicalthought.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vassar College Forum for Political Thought shall serve the purpose of providing the Vassar community with a space for discussing and learning about politics outside of dominant Democrat vs. Republican or liberal vs. conservative ways of thinking. We aim to explore political topics from a variety of perspectives in a casual and non-intimidating environment. While other political student organizations focus on political activism and affiliate themselves with established parties or groups, we seek to foster uninhibited political discourse that engages a wide political spectrum. We share the conviction that political thought should serve as a theoretical compass to give direction to our understandings of the issues that face our society.
French Club
Allison Tilden (frenchclub.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vassar French Club is primarily a culture club, and though students interested in improving their French will have the opportunity to practice with native francophone students, speaking ability is not necessary. Members of the French Club gather to prepare and enjoy French meals, fundraise by cooking and selling crepes, host French dinner and dessert banquets for the whole campus, transform the Mug into a discothèque for Europop Mug Night, attend delicious francophone-themed dinners hosted by West Point’s French Club, and travel together to Virginia for the VCU French Film Festival. The club works closely with Vassar’s French Department, and professors are often involved in events, such as the annual cheese-tasting. New events planned for this year include a trip to New York City to enjoy French art and film and a campus-wide Mardi Gras bash.
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Future Waitstaff of America (FWA)
Amanda Giglio (FutureWaitstaffAmerica.vsa@vassar.edu)
Future Waitstaff of America is the campus’s first and only theater group that is devoted entirely to Musical Theater. Founded in the fall of 2005, this group produces one show each semester. Past productions have included BATBOY, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, ASSASSINS, BARE, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and GODSPELL. All of the productions are completely student-run, so there are many opportunities to get involved both onstage and off, whether you like to act, sing, dance, direct, design, stage manage, be a backstage technician (techie), etc.! There's a place for everyone in an FWA show and new members are always welcome. If you love crazy musicals, great people, and lots of fun, join FWA today!
Habitat for Humanity
Brooke Widman (Habitatforhumanity.vsa@vassar.edu)
This organization’s purpose is to pursue the goals of the Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Chapter Program: to help educate the campus and community about the work of Habitat for Humanity, to help build and rehabilitate houses in partnership with the Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the Hudson Valley and other areas, and to help raise funds and contribute moneys for the work of Habitat and other charitable causes(on an infrequent basis). The chapter also seeks to encourage interaction between diverse cross-sections of the Vassar community. Anyone interested in participating in habitat’s projects, registered students and their families, is welcome to become a member of the chapter. Although Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian group, no discrimination will be made on the basis of religion or lack there of. Members of all faiths will be welcomed and all efforts will be made to accommodate them and their beliefs.
Happily Ever Laughter
Madeline Joyce (HappilyEverLaughter.vsa@vassar.edu)
Happily Ever Laughter (HEL) is a comedy troupe that relies primarily upon sketch comedy, with some improvisation, stand-up, guerrilla, and other phenomena. The group shall provide the Vassar community with at least two performances or happenings per semester, performance space pending. Membership to HEL is by audition. Auditions to HEL will be held on a need-only basis. Prospective members will be judged on the quality of written material, performance in improvisation games, and a short, meaningful discussion with the current members of the group.
Helicon
Amy Seslowsky (helicon.vsa@vassar.edu)
Helicon is an organization whose purpose is to serve the needs and expand the creative voice of Vassar’s literary community. Helicon publishes a literary magazine featuring works by Vassar Students. It also publishes a more frequent publication consisting of creative works writers and artists not necessarily a part of the Vassar student body. This includes a calendar of writers’ events and assorted Helicon miscellanea. In addition to these publications, Helicon orchestrates events and activities garnered towards the enrichment of Vassar’s writers community. Some past events have included regularly scheduled Writing Workshops and Writer’s Nights in the Cafe as well as the sponsoring of various relevant speakers brought by other organizations. Membership is open to all.
Hip Hop 101
Jay Leff, Emma Carmichael (hiphop101.vsa@vassar.edu)
Homework Club
Austin Saddlemire (homeworkclub.vsa@vassar.edu)
Hunger Action
Ezra Roth, Erica Licht (hungeraction.vsa@vassar.edu)
Vassar’s egalitarian chapter of the national organization Hunger Action Committee strives to alleviate hunger and homelessness. We cook and distribute meals on a regular basis at local soup kitchens and shelters such as the Lunchbox at the Family Partnership Center and the kitchen at Beulah Baptist Church. Through food and conversation, we seek to make personal connections with members of the Poughkeepsie community. We collect and distribute food, clothing, and toiletries to members of the working and homeless populations of Poughkeepsie and New York City several times a semester. In addition, we fundraise and hold events to increase awareness and to advise how to combat local and global hunger and poverty.
Idlewild Theater
Dorothy Thomas (Idlewild.vsa@vassar.edu)
Idlewild Theatre Ensemble is a collaborative, non-hierarchical, all-female group of theater-makers (actors, directors, designers). Founded in 2007, the ensemble aims to present the Vassar campus with works by and about women. In the fall, the ensemble produces a small theatrical event which is often open to all students by audition. During the spring semester Idlewild produces one full-length play. When not rehearsing for a play we meet at least once a week and during rehearsal periods we meet four to six times a week. Auditions for the ensemble are held at the beginning of the spring term.
Improv
Chris Root (Improv.vsa@vassar.edu)
Improv is an improvisational-based performance group whose sole and never-ending mission is to bring laughter and good cheer to an otherwise dull world. Founded in 1908, by John Adams, Machiavelli, and Jean-Paul Sartre, Improv’s first show was held in the deserted town of Roanoke; no one attended to their dismay. Since those humble beginnings, Improv has blossomed into a well-loved and popular entertainment group. For almost 80 years Improv has performed consistently on campus and taken their shows to other colleges in order to spread the good cheer and uphold Vassar’s reputation for the performing arts. Membership is open to all Vassar students. Improv uses all-original material including whatever comes to mind, and whatever material is at hand.
Indecent Exposure
Molly Cahen (Indecentexposure.vsa@vassar.edu)
Indecent Exposure is Vassar College’s only all-female comedy troupe. Founded in 2004 by Heather Trobe, the group was created in response to a very serious lack of female comedians. Not only does it provide a space for women comedians to come together and share ideas, but also to create smart, unusual, innovative, and progressive shows. Debunking the myth that women cannot be funny, Indecent Exposure consistently performs stand-up, and their shows also include sketches, songs, and dance.
Investment Club
Danny McBee (investmentclub.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vassar Investment Club is designed to provide students interested in finance with hands-on experience and a discussion forum. Recent endeavors have included quarterly research reports on various market sectors, the construction of a mock portfolio, an individual investing contest, and guest speakers. The club is a great way for students interested in finance to prepare for internships and jobs, both by gaining relevant experience and practicing interview skills.
Italian Club
Anna Licht (italianclub.vsa@vassar.edu)
A new organization, the Vassar Italian Club is very enthusiastic about celebrating and promoting the Italian culture in Vassar Campus. While the Italian Culture will be explored mainly through music, food, film and art, those who wish to study the Italian language will also find opportunities to practice. Some of the activities that the Italian Club has are film screenings, Italian food cooking, Italian music parties and collaborative events with other clubs. The club is open to all students, faculty, staff, and other members of the Vassar community regardless of their knowledge of the Italian language. In addition, membership is not limited to Italian majors, correlates or students enrolled in the department’s classes.
Knights of Commuknitty
Allison Cohen (commuknitty.vsa@vassar.edu)
Knights of Commuknitty is a knitting group that knits blankets, hats, scarves, and other items for charity. We primarily donate our items to local charitable organizations such as Dutchess Outreach, though we also help larger organizations outside of Poughkeepsie. In addition, we try to promote peace through the Vassar community through knitting. Our goal is to use our craft skills to benefit others in the local and global community.
Mahagonny Ensemble
Mark Van Hare (mahagonny.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Mahagonny Ensemble is a completely student-run choral and instrumental group focusing on contemporary music. Our goal is to give Vassar musicians the opportunity to perform important music of the last 100 years and to do so in a comfortable environment of peers. We have recently performed works by Stravinsky, Copland, Schoenberg, Poulenc, Britten, Carter, Ligeti, Rzewski, and Reich. The ensemble also commissions new works from student composers and Vassar graduates, giving them practical experience and valuable recordings. Rehearsals do not conflict with department ensembles and are limited to once a week. Come see what music is up to today!
Matthew’s Minstrels
Shelby Wardlaw (matthewsminstrels.vsa@vassar.edu)
Matthew’s Minstrels is a co-ed a-cappella group that was founded in 1978 and has since provided Vassar with 31 years of fun music. The Minstrels sing a wide variety of music ranging from 50’s doo-wop to jazz to your favorite tunes of the 80’s and 90’s. Matthew’s Minstrels perform two major concerts a year on campus and are frequently invited to perform off campus for various school and organizations. They also do shows for dorm study breaks and special events upon request. Renowned for their interspersing splices of humor in their music making, Matthew’s Minstrels is a highly entertaining and popular group. Quoting a fan, “There’s just no one like the Minstrels!” Audition is required for membership.
Measure 4 Measure
Kathryn Kozlark, Lillie McDonough (measure4measure.vassar@gmail.com)
Measure 4 Measure is one of Vassar’s all-female a cappella groups. It was started in 1981 by a few of the Vassar Night Owls. The two groups are still in operation though in recognition of their common past, they try to maintain good relations. Each semester, M4M has at least one concert but in the past has had two in the last school semester. They usually invite other schools to sing at these functions and are themselves often invited to other schools to sing. M4M has a tradition of singing contemporary music and their repertoire contains songs that are intricately arranged. That is one of their trademarks. They sing often and well and are occasionally paid to do so. Membership is by audition.
MEChA
Anastasia Hardin (MECHA.vsa@vassar.edu)
As the official Chicano/a voice of Vassar, MEChA seeks to create a sense of community and security for Chicano/a students on campus. The organization strives to fairly represent and reclaim their ethnic identity while increasing campus-wide consciousness of the social and political issues that have kept their people oppressed. Members are committed to joining the movement towards self-determination for the purpose of liberating Aztlán, the birthplace of nuestra gente. Membership is open to all Vassar students who share the values and interests of the organization, regardless of race and/or ethnicity.
Merely Players
Eric Schuman (erschuman@vassar.edu)
Merely Players is a Shakespeare theater group that puts on one of his plays once a year. We are not a troupe, so you can be in the play one year, then do something different the next. Our focus is on the process of putting on the play, of working with the actors, of parsing out the text.
Moderate Independent Conservative Alliance (MICA)
Jeremy Bright (MICA.vsa@vassar.edu)
M.I.C.A. is an umbrella organization that aims to further moderate, independent, conservative and libertarian thought on campus by sponsoring events designed to expand the breadth of Vassar’s political dialogue. Regular meetings are held Mondays in Josselyn House, 9 p.m.
Miscellany News
Ruby Cramer (misc@vassar.edu)
Founded in 1866, The Miscellany News is Vassar's weekly newspaper of record. As the oldest student publication at the College, the Miscellany appreciates contributions from all members of the college community—students, administrators, faculty, alumnae/i, and trustees. Its purpose is to inform them of news, art, and sports in and around the college in a timely and complete manner; it also serves as an open forum for public dialogue on important issues pertaining to the community and world. Any student within the Vassar community may serve on the staff of the paper as long as s/he attends weekly writer’s meetings and fulfills the obligations of a staff writer as defined in newspaper's Bylaws. The Editorial Board meets every week for an open paper critique and welcomes the community's comments at this time. Please visit www.miscellanynews.com for daily updates on campus news or to find out more about how to join the staff of the Miscellany.
Multiracial/Biracial Student Association
Dyana Boxley (MBSA.vsa@vassar.edu)
The goal of the Multiracial/Biracial Student Association is to create a sense of community for student of mixed heritage on Vassar’s Campus. We aim to raise awareness of the social, political, and cultural issues that multiracial students are faced with. We’re open to all students who are dedicated to learning more about the multiracial experience. Acknowledging how our experience differs from the experience of other racial/ethnic minority groups already represented on campus, we provide a safe space for multiracial voices to be heard.
Night Owls
Kay Hautea (nightowls.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Night Owls are the nation’s oldest continuing all-female a-cappella group. They were founded in the 1940s when a plague quarantined students to their dorm rooms. A few brave women, dressed in all black, snuck out of their dorms and met in the basement of the library to serenade their ailing classmates. Following in tradition, the Night Owls now dress in all black for each performance to commemorate this charter group of women. The group performs a variety of music ranging from classic jazz to 90s dance songs and host concerts throughout the year, culminating in a final concert. In addition to their own on-campus concerts, the Night Owls also travel to perform off-campus and host other a cappella groups at Vassar. They have been invited to sing at both of Clinton’s inaugurations. They are quite a spectacular group with a rich history. Membership is by audition.
No Offense
Andi Sharavsky, Tom Stevenson (nooffense.vsa@vassar.edu)
No Offense, Vassar’s first and oldest sketch comedy group, was founded in 1988 by a group of students seeking an outlet for writing and performing comedy while wearing fake facial hair. We write, perform, and produce 4 full-length sketch and video shows per year. Group membership is by audition only. We still love a good stick-on mustache.
No Such Organization (NSO)
Suzanne Rozier (NoSuchOrganization.vsa@vassar.edu)
The No Such Organization (NSO) is an all-around sci-fi/fantasy/comic book/video game/anime/etc. fan's organization. Members host events such as TV show nights (which can range from anime to Doctor Who to Star Trek) and gaming weekends. Every year the NSO hosts several campuswide events, including our very own production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show and NonCon, a three day comics & gaming convention held on Vassar campus. The NSO includes members of every geekdom and fandom, and is happy to share their enthusiasm!
Nordic Team
Isaac Leslie (nordicteam.vsa@vassar.edu)
As a member of the United States Collegiate Ski Association (USCSA), the Vassar Nordic Team provides cross-country skiing and racing opportunities for students and faculty of all levels of ability. In addition to traveling to competitive events across the Northeast, the team makes regular expeditions to the nearby Mohonk Preserve for recreation and training. The team provides an excellent alternative for exercise in the winter and makes for exhilarating encounters with some of the Hudson Valley and New England’s pristine wilderness.
On Tap
Gabrielle Kotkov (ontap.vsa@vassar.edu)
On Tap is Vassar's one and only tap dance group, founded in 2008. We work with all different styles of tap dance, and do a performance once a semester, consisting of original works and old tap standards. We welcome anyone who has the desire to tap to come join us!
Operation Donation
Lindsey Andon (operationdonation.vsa@vassar.edu)
We, the members of Operation Donation, pledge to develop and implement innovative methods of service to support the Dutchess County community and the world around us. We will utilize funds raised by our members in order to purchase basic food and hygiene products in order to enhance the basic quality of life for Dutchess County residents in need. Through our efforts, we hope to set an example in order to raise and renew awareness of the heart of a cooperative spirit.
Outing Club
Nadine Reitman (outingclub.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Outing Club is Vassar’s connection to the great outdoors. Members receive a weekly email containing all the trips and events happening that week, and sign up as they please. There is no minimum commitment required; each member determines how active he or she will be. The Outing Club aims to stimulate participation in and appreciation for the outdoors; to promote low-impact usage of the outdoors; to provide trained, reliable, and safe outdoors leadership for the community; to provide specialized outdoors equipment and knowledge to the community, and to do all of this without financial discrimination. Activities include backpacking, hiking and mountain climbing in the scenic Hudson Valley area and beyond, rock climbing in the ‘Gunks, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, whitewater rafting, and skydiving. Extended overnight trips run during October and Spring Breaks. The Outing Club emphasizes that all activities are open to any member of the Vassar community. All outdoor activities have trained leaders assigned to see to all the logistics of the activity, as well as to ensure the safety of the group. Any member of the community may train to be a leader. To receive the weekly email, become a leader, or pose any questions regarding the club, please contact the above name.
PEACE
Kelly Long (peace.vsa@vassar.edu)
P.E.A.C.E. is a non-profit national organization devoted to the elimination of prejudices and racism. They believe hatred is something one learns not something one is born with. Through activism, education and the experience of diversity, one will not learn tolerance, but a genuine acceptance and appreciation of the difference. P.E.A.C.E. strives to celebrate commonalties, establish relationships, create memories, and promote understanding while building awareness through the knowledge of our difference. P.E.A.C.E. is not an organization that preaches diversity. It is an organization that provides people with the experience of diversity. To accomplish this, P.E.A.C.E. has, among other things, two major programs. P.E.A.C.E.’s Brothers and Sisters program seeks to establish relationship among children of different races, ethnicities and religions. It involves elementary to middle school students, as well as college students, teachers, administrators and interested community members. The Awareness Day program is aimed more towards high school and college students. It is designed to create discussion on racism and prejudice and takes place in area high schools and at Vassar.
Philaletheis
Elizabeth London (philaletheis.vsa@vassar.edu)
Founded in 1865, the Philalethies Society is an organization that provides the Vassar community with the opportunity to efficiently produce dramatic works of art. It shall be used as a means for aiding production through an advising and support system that encompasses the artistic, financial, and technical aspects of theater. The Philaletheis Society is the primary student production company, and as such assists in the management of the Shiva Theater through the Shiva Theater Advisory and Admissions Board(STAAB). The Society works closely with administrators and other campus groups to ensure fair and proper use of the Theater. Membership to Philaletheis is open to all undergraduate students of Vassar College and based upon their desire to participate.
PHOCUS
Erica Hersh (phocus.vsa@vassar.edu)
Phocus runs the community darkroom on a cooperative, members-only basis. Since the college does not offer a photography course, Phocus seeks to fill in some of the gaps. It sponsors showings of student work, offers mini courses in various topics, and sponsors guest lectures and field trips. Many of the activities of the group involve fees, as does membership to the darkroom co-op, although the fee is waived for those who see to its upkeep. Also, students participating in the photo mini-course are admitted free. Membership to PHOCUS is open to the entire Vassar community with or without experience in photography.
Poder Latino
Bonnie Velez (poderlatino.vsa@vassar.edu)
Poder Latino is an organization founded to address the needs and concerns of Vassar’s Latino community and to serve as a support group and a political action group. Its purpose is to promote communication and understanding between the members of Poder Latino and the other members of the Vassar community through forums, lectures, and other social events. It also serves to create a network between Poder Latino and other Latino communities, particularly in the local area, in order to provide strength and support in dealing with Latino issues. All members of the Vassar community are eligible to become members of Poder Latino. Particular effort will be made to recruit Vassar Latino students, for whom the group is founded. Full membership in Poder Latino, as in any serious organization, is contingent upon regular attendance at meetings and other active forms of support.
Polo Team
Kaylin Myers (poloteam.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vassar College Polo Team is a nationally recognized, competetive polo team. We play at the Varsity level against schools like Yale, UConn, and Skidmore. We travel throughout the region to compete and have attended regionals all the way to Indiana. We practice two times a week at Gardnertown Polo in Newburgh. We also participate in club chukkers 2-3 times a week. Members can conceivably practice 5-6 times a week if they are interested. We compete in about 3 or 4 games a month and our season lasts from September to April. Members pay a flat fee per semester and additional riding has no extra charge. We are actively seeking new members for our men’s and women’s team. No experience is necessary. Through games with Brown, Harvard, Yale, University of Massachusetts, University of Connecticut, Cornell, University of Virginia, and Boston University we increase communications between Vassar and other colleges and universities.
Pro-Health
Jared Augenstein (prohealth.vsa@vassar.edu)
Queer Coalition of Vassar College (QCVC)
Raymon Azcona (queer@vassar.edu)
Queer Coalition of Vassar College exists to help various projects by and for Vassar’s transgender, lesbian, bisexual, gay and allied students. We use the word “queer” to recognize and affirm a plurality of sex, sexuality, and gender difference. Last year under the umbrella of QC, Gay-Straight Alliance and Women’s Group provided weekly meeting space in the College Center and Blegen house, the designated queer safe-space on campus. A Drag Revolution was also spawned under QC resources. Queer Breifs, a monthly newsletter, keeps us (through our bathroom stalls) aware of queer stuff on campus. Last year QC brought performers and held an all campus party. First Step provides a confidential discussion group for students discovering new dimensions of their sexuality.
Red Panda
Kartik Naram, Brian Moody (redpanda.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Red Panda is a mostly herbivorous mammal, feeding extensively on bamboo, which may be found in forests across Asia. It is also known as the Cat Bear, or, rather depressingly, the Lesser Panda. In the spirit of marginalized herbivorous mammals everywhere, the Red Panda at Vassar is a humor society devoted to publications and events that we deem funny. We are looking for writers, designers, artists, and, oh yes, writers in preparation for the launch of Vassar’s first student-run humor magazine. If you want to have fun and make funny things happen, please contact us.
RunVassar
Jon Erickson (runvassar.vsa@vassar.edu)
Sailing Team
Aubrey Wynn (sailing.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Sailing Team at Vassar is open to all students and includes a large range of skill levels. There are Learn-To-Sail clinics on land and on the water. There is also the opportunity to compete in many Mid-Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association races throughout the fall and spring. The club has a boathouse on the Hudson River with three 420s and a Laser. Transportation and equipment are provided and paid for by the club. All amounts of experience are welcome and encouraged but swimming proficiency is required.
Shakespeare Troupe
Nate Silver (Shakespearetroupe.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Shakespeare Troupe is an ensemble of 10-15 actors, designers, and directors who produce one play from Shakespeare’s cannon every spring semester in an outdoor setting. We strive to constantly challenge ourselves as artists, as well as always questioning and changing the approach and understanding of Shakespeare on the Vassar campus.
Ski Team
Scott Pascal, Ben Crawford (ski.vsa@vassar.edu)
Ski Team organizes competitive ski racing for the students of Vassar college. It is our fervent belief that ski racing, due to its prodigious cost, is chiefly a past time of the elite. These elites perpetuate the capitalist super-structures that preserve our low socio-economic status. To combat the unyielding class homogeneity inherent in ski culture, we, the proletariat, secure funds and disperse them freely to help the common, working class Vassar students (as well as their capitalist overlord fellow students) to participate in and to subvert a principle bastion of neocolonial patriarchy - ski racing. As a competitive club we are members of the National Collegiate Skiing Association (NCSA) and race in the MacBride Division. The team is competitive although no race experience is necessary to join.
South Asian Students Alliance (SASA)
Anna Karra, Adhira Mangalagiri (SASA.vsa@vassar.edu)
The South Asian Students Alliance(SASA) is an organization established to meet the needs and concerns of the South Asian community at Vassar College. Its goal is to provide a forum for students in which issues of cultural, political, religious and ethnic relevance are discussed and dealt with. Furthermore, it seeks to inject a South Asian component into the academic curriculum of Vassar College. It unifies the students of South Asian descent and at the same time provides the Vassar community with an insight into and understanding of issues of South Asian culture and politics. Membership into SASA is voluntary and open to all Vassar students.
Squirm
Allison Brill (squirm.vsa@vassar.edu)
Squirm is a submissions-based magazine about sex and sexuality. Squirm seeks to create a sex-positive forum on campus for the artistic, literary, and creative exploration of sex. All members of the Vassar community are welcome and encouraged to submit artwork, photography and written work to Squirm.
Student Activist’s Union (SAU)
Sarah Muenzinger (SAU.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vassar College Student Activist’s Union (SAU) is an action-oriented organization that seeks to promote human rights and equality. The SAU interacts with other organizations in the promotion of issues of mutual concerns and provides speakers, films, workshops, and newsletters on relevant human rights issues. The SAU has been active at Vassar for the past eight years. We fight for recognition of women’s rights, work against racism and bigotry, and give support to the worker’s and environmental movements. Through rallying, letter-writing campaigns, speak-out and petitions we promote progressive social action on Vassar College, in Dutchess County, in Washington D.C., and abroad. On-campus, we sponsor films, lectures, and an annual Earth Day celebration to educate and inform the campus.
Synchronized Skating (Iced Brew)
Hannah Erdheim (Synchronizedskating.vsa@vassar.edu)
Iced Brew is Vassar's synchronized ice skating team, coached by Deirdre Bonnano. We compete at the sectional level against other college teams. Besides competitions, Iced Brew also sponsors events open to all of Vassar campus, including open skating, exhibitions, and learn-to-skate lessons. The team is open to all Vassar students, no experience necessary.
Transmission
Tristan (evfeldman@vassar.edu)
TransMission is dedicated to making Vassar and the larger community of which it is a part an inclusive and welcoming environment for transgender, genderqueer, and intersex people and anyone affected by sex and gender variance (which we believe to be everyone). Supporting Vassar’s core values of inclusiveness and equality for all, we aim to dispel myths, raise awareness, and create a secure and comfortable space at Vassar and beyond through activism, cooperation, and education.
TONCA
David Prentice, Holly Norgard (TONCA.vsa@vassar.edu)
Together Opposing Neglect and Child Abuse (TONCA) is an organization devoted to raising money for the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse in Dutchess County and thus increasing awareness of child abuse, as well as providing on campus activities with a fun childhood focus. "I Won't Grow Up Day" is our major annual event that transforms Main Building's College Center into a huge carnival with bouncy castle, petting zoo, face painting, and other fun games and activities for Vassar students, professors, and local Dutchess County families. Additionally, we host Halloween Trick-or-Treating in Main Building for young children from the area. TONCA fundraisers throughout the year include SNICK and kids movie screenings with bake sales, Kiss-o-Grams for Valentine's day, and Mother's Day card-making.
Unbound
Stephanie Mischell (unbound.vsa@vassar.edu)
Unbound is Vassar's only theater group devoted solely to experimental theater. We are interested in producing theater that does not fit the mold of typical Vassar productions. We are a collaborative, non-hierarchical group. Founded in 1996 as a political theater group, Unbound has expanded its focus to all forms of alternative performance. We are the parental organization to Inktank, Vassar's playwriting collective.
UNICEF
Jennifer Richards (unicef.vsa@vassar.edu)
UNICEF AT VASSAR is an organization dedicated to raising awareness on campus about the issues that currently affect thousands of children around the world, what UNICEF does to help, and what the Vassar Community can do to contribute.
Unitarian Universalists
Katia Chapman (UnitarianUniversalists.vsa@vassar.edu)
Unitarian Universalism (UU) is a liberal, non-credal religious tradition that values the inherent worth and dignity of ALL people. With this in mind, Vassar’s UU group seeks to explore spirituality, discuss social issues, and build a safe, welcoming community. Students run weekly worships and discussions, and some participate in services at the Poughkeepsie UU Fellowship. All students are welcome, regardless of previous knowledge of, or involvment with, UUism.
Vassar Animal Rescue Coalition (VARC)
Mollie Flannery, Laura Saiz (AnimalRightsCoalition.vsa@vassar.edu)
The main goal of the VARC is to educate the campus about its obligation to maintain the safety and welfare of its non-human animal residents. Animals are constantly abandoned on campus, often to negligent students. Most of the funds for the group go to a spay-neuter release program which serves to control the pet population by vaccinating Vassar strays, spaying/neutering them, and then releasing them in a rural and safer area or placing them with loving adopting families. VARC also brings pertinent speakers to the campus and sets up tables in the College Center to further educate the campus about issues pertaining to animal welfare.
Vassar Bikes
Jeffrey Cross (sharedbikes@vassar.edu)
Vassar Bikes is dedicated to all human powered machines on two wheels. We spend our time going on all sorts of rides, talking bikes, or just hangin' in the bike shop underneath Strong House. There is mountain bike racing in the fall and mountain and road racing in the Spring. It doesn't matter if you like to meander around campus or go on centuries, Vassar Bikes has something to offer for everyone on two wheels.
Vassar College Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Mike Faba (EMS.vsa@vassar.edu)
Vassar College Emergency Medical Services (VCEMS) provides high-quality, confidential emergency medical care for the Vassar College community during the academic year. VCEMS operates on weeknights from 5pm until 8am, and provides 24-hour coverage from Friday at 5pm until Monday morning at 8am. VCEMS also provides extra coverage during large-scale campus events. The minimum requirement for riding with VCEMS is national CPR/AED certification, but the majority of our members are also NY-certified EMT-Bs.
Vassar Devils
Julia Hanna (devils.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Devils, one of three co-ed a cappella groups on campus, are known for their tight harmonies, polished sound, deep arrangements, and infectious sense of fun. Their diverse, constantly growing repertoire includes classic jazz standards, folk favorites, rock ballads, funk jams, and pop gems from the 40's all the way to present day. In addition to performing a number of informal concerts for the Vassar community, every year the Devils hold an annual winter concert and an annual spring concert.
Vassar Filmmakers
Kyle Porter (filmmakers.vsa@vassar.edu)
Vassar Filmmakers provides all students with a chance to direct, produce and edit their own films with access to industry-rate materials and services, funds, and a talented, motivated group of individuals. Vassar Filmmakers strives to construct a community of filmmakers across campus who work collaboratively with faculty and departments to get their visions realized. Meetings are set up for feedback and constructive criticism on individual projects, as well as screenings, discussions and production organizing.
Vassar Flypeople
Rachel Brillon (flypeople.vsa@vassar.edu)
FlyPeople is Vassar's one and only student-run, fun-loving dance group that aims to move its groove while entertaining people in the process. Members are selected by audition at the start of each semester based on ability to exert stage presence, execute choreography and, most importantly, express a love for dance. Commitment is once a week on Sundays and additional rehearsals throughout the week as needed, based on the number of pieces being performed. We culminate each semester with a performance (Works In Progress Show towards the end of the fall semester and Final Show towards the end of the spring semester) and perform at various on-campus events throughout the year. We have performed jazz, hip-hop, modern, lyrical, tap, ballet, pointe, musical theater, and Irish step dance. All dances are student-choreographed to songs chosen by their choreographers. Past hits have been Flo Rida's "Right Round," Britney Spear's "Break The Ice," ABBA's "Gimme Gimme Gimme," Missy Elliot's "I'm Really Hot," and many more.
Vassar Green Party
Peter Satin (greenparty.vsa@vassar.edu)
Vassar Greens
Vanessa Raditz (greens.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vassar Greens seek to increase awareness of local, national, and global environmental issues on campus. They accomplish this goal by dispersing information to students, sponsoring lectures, films and groups that are concerned with environmental issues, providing a forum for discussion on environmental issues, and evaluating the state of campus ecology while serving as a vehicle for action on these concerns.
Membership is voluntary and open to all students in the Vassar College community.
Vassar Jewish Union (VJU)
Jordana Cohen (JewishUnion.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vassar Jewish Union seeks to serve all Jewish members of the Vassar community regardless of their backgrounds or form of Jewish expression. The VJU does not endorse a partisan view of Jewish life, and encourages expression of all the facets of Jewish experience in search of an actively diverse Jewish life on campus. The VJU’s purpose is as follows: to teach students about Jewish heritage, Israel, and the variety of Jewish experiences throughout the world; to strengthen the bonds between the Jewish religion and its cultures; to serve as a political voice of Judaism in the Vassar community; to promote political, cultural, and religious dialogue with members of other cultural and religious communities in order to foster communications and understanding; to help enrich the lives of the Vassar community as a whole; and to prepare students for an informed and active participation in the Jewish communities that reside outside of Vassar’s gates and those communities they may enter after Vassar. VJU has a base of operations in the Bayit, a house located on Collegeview near the cemetery. Membership to the VJU is open to all students and most meetings are open to the public.
Vassar Pagan Circle
Aaron Fagan (pagancircle.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Pagan Circle works to provide a space for all those who identify with or would like to learn more about Paganism. The mission of the group is to offer resources for Pagans and non-Pagans to discuss issues of belief and share in their experiences. These efforts provide a space for intimate discussion and education concerning Pagan issues. We have a variety of social, spiritual, and educational events throughout the semester. The basic format of our meetings is a sharing of each other’s interests and beliefs. All are welcome to come learn more about Paganism.
Vassar Prison Initiative
Hensleigh Crowell (PrisonInitiative.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vassar Prison Initiative (VPI) is a non-hierarchical organization committed to raising awareness about issues related to the prison industrial complex. Our activities include an annual publication, film screenings, book drives, and engagement with local activism. In addition to these initiatives and general education efforts on campus and in our community, the VPI responds to pressing prison-related issues as they arise. We work in conjunction with the academic prison programs on campus and help to support the Prison Reunion hosted on Vassar's campus every spring, which brings together formerly incarcerated people, activists, and Vassar alumni, faculty, and students. It is our hope that through our programming, educational outreach, and activism, we can contribute to the fight for justice for incarcerated people and the decarceration of America.
Vassar Public Art Committee
Joseph Martinez (Publicart.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vassar Public Art Committee (VPAC) is a group of students and faculty advisors at Vassar College who facilitate student artists with the means of producing public art on campus. The goal of VPAC is to respond to the college's diverse communities and aesthetics and facilitate artists with the means of producing their works to heighten the quality of the common experience. VPAC commissions artwork that engages the surrounding environment to create, enrich, or reveal a sense of place, and to express the spirit, values, visions, and poetry that collectively define Vassar College.
VCPunx
Andres Gutierrez, Hassan Sakhtah (VCPunx.vsa@vassar.edu)
VCPunx is a do-it-yourself music and booking collective formed in the Fall of 2008 that caters to fans of the underrepresented genres of extreme music such as punk, hardcore, metal, grind, thrash, drone/etc. Members meet on a weekly basis to work together on organizing and hosting concerts featuring both student and non-campus bands in order to foster a community for extreme music. Events incorporate do-it-yourself ethics and low-tech production in order to place emphasis on the live musical experience.
Vassar Quidditch
David Bridgman-Packer, Molly St. Clair, Daniel Bossert (quidditch.vsa@vassar.edu)
The ButterBeer Brewers represent Vassar annually in the Intercollegiate Quidditch World Cup, as well as participating in and hosting other tournaments/events throughout the season. Founded in 2007, Vassar's team has already established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of broomsticks and bludgers. Quidditch, adapted to land from JK Rowling's fantastical wizarding sport, requires players of various positions to send quaffles through elevated hoops, peg each other with bludgers, fly, tackle, and of course, snatch the snitch. Open to all with an imagination, sense of humor, and thirst for competition! Athleticism not required.
Vassar Teknowledgy
Paul Noonan (VT.vsa@vassar.edu)
Vassar Ultimate Frisbee
Nate Mandel, Marco Brydolf-Horwitz, Marika Faytell, Jennie Harkness (ultimate.vsa@vassar.edu)
Ultimate Frisbee is one of Vassar’s club sports. Both the men's and women's teams are entirely student run. Despite the lack of Varsity status, they continue to represent Vassar at the regional, national, and international level. The purpose of Ultimate Frisbee is to recruit and train its members with the goals of having fun, exercising good sportsmanship, and maintaining high levels of competition. They practice often and compete throughout both Fall and Spring semester. They also host an annual home tournament at Vassar with other Frisbee teams from the East Coast in attendance.
Vassarion
Shannon Wilton (vassarion.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vassarion is the Vassar College yearbook. Our student-run organization is primarily self-funded and provides a service to the school in the publication of an annual. The sections of this year’s book are: Student Life, Academics, Seniors, Organizations, Athletics, and Community. The Community section is this year’s endeavor to sell ads to students, parents, faculty, administration and community businesses. The funds will be allotted for the partial payment of this year’s book. Any interested Vassar student is eligible to be on the yearbook staff!! We are particularly looking for students in Media Studies, Photography, Layouts/Visual Arts, and anyone with previous experience in Adobe InDesign or Photoshop.
Vastards
Sam Fleming (Vastards.vsa@vassar.edu)
The Vastards are a fun-loving, extra-loud, co-ed a cappella group that gets an almost embarrassing amount of pleasure from a good harmony. They sing all the songs you loved in Middle School, or at least the songs you loved to hate. They enjoy long walks on the beach, sunsets, and kittens.
Vassar College Entertainment (ViCE)
Peter Denny (vicedirector@vassar.edu)
ViCE stands for Vassar College Entertainment. It is the large-scale programming body on campus and serves to bring a variety of entertainment to Vassar. It also sponsors campus events. The goal of ViCE is to provide diverse entertainment programming designed to satisfy the entertainment needs of the student body. Membership is voluntary and open to all members of the Vassar student body.
Vassar International Student Association (VISA)
Manasi Jiwrajka (InternationalStudents.vsa@vassar.edu)
Vassar International Student Association (VISA) is a student-run organisation that promotes internationalism by providing a gateway for Vassar students to experience the international diversity that prevails here. Its mission is to address the specific needs of the international community of the College, and integrate the international and American student bodies. VISA hosts various internationally themed events throughout the year to serve this purpose. This organisation is open to anyone who feels "international."
Wholistic
Melissa Dion (wholistic.vsa@vassar.edu)
Wholistic is our organization on campus for promoting balanced and healthy living on campus. We view holism as a balance of all the elements that make up the world and ourselves. We reach out to a variety of methods that are sometimes outside of the mainstream. We emphasize alternative eating styles such as eating whole foods not processed foods, and eating local foods not mass-produced foods. We advocate for physical and mental practices such as meditation, yoga, and tai chi to have a stronger presence on campus. Holism also includes sustainability and a respectful relationship with the environment. We recognize each individual’s specificness and uniqueness, while appreciating our interconnectedness. Past wholistic events have included meditative dinners, cooking classes, herbal workshops, and we have facilitated trips to centers for wholistic learning.
Women of Color Alliance
Leona Brannon (WomenOfColorAlliance.vsa@vassar.edu)
Woodshed Theatre Ensemble
Hannah Gold (Woodshed.vsa@vassar.edu)
Woodshed is a student-run collaborative theater ensemble that strives to utilize the skills of each of its members to generate thought-provoking full-length productions. Ensemble members are highly encouraged to explore new avenues as well as pursue their pre-existing theatrical interests during their time in Woodshed. A group that fluctuates each semester, Woodshed's productions have ranged from Shakespearean comedies to contemporary dramas, with members experimenting with various roles: as designers, directors, dramaturgs and actors. Woodshed is a non-hierarchical organization and values the voice of each of its members. We hold 2-hour rehearsals, usually 4-5 days a week, and auditions at the beginning of every Spring semester; students of all experience levels are encouraged to audition.
Wordsmiths
Eric Shuman (wordsmiths.vsa@vassar.edu)
Wordsmiths is a spoken word poetry group that focuses on the spoken word, that dabbles in print, that aches to make poetry what it should be: an explosion of the ribcage, a shattering of cells. We put on open mics and put out pamphlets. Anyone and anything is welcome.
WVKR
Nicholas Marmet (wvkr.vsa@vassar.edu)
The FM radio station of Vassar College known as 91.3 WVKR FM is a non-commercial, educational, student-operated, broadcast facility licensed to the trustees of the college and serving the Poughkeepsie community as required by the Federal Communications Act of 1934 and all subsequent revisions thereof. In addition to operating as legally obligated under federal law, it shall be the objective of this organization to educate, entertain, and involve the members of the Vassar community in the maintenance and operation of this FM broadcast station. The radio station is located on the third floor of the College Center and broadcasts a wide variety of radio programming including, but not limited to music and talk shows, instructionals, and the news and weather. Broadcasting usually runs 22-24 hours a day, seven days a week. Any member of the Vassar community may join the staff of WVKR or have their own show provided they follow the regulations set forth by WVKR and the law. WVKR encourages visitors provided they act in a responsible manner. For more information regarding radio shows or membership see the contact person of the group.