Student Groups
John R. Lewis College recognizes the importance of providing opportunities for our students to shape their environment and develop leadership skills. Student-driven groups, advised and supported by staff, have a primary role in planning and programming student activities.
Find the group that is right for you and explore social justice and community, contribute to your community, and develop leadership skills!
Slugs 4 Self-Care
Slugs 4 Self-Care meets weekly to discuss and implement self-care practices for students. See the Fall 2024 weekly schedule here and join the interest list here!
MEETS: Wednesdays from 6-7:30pm
LOCATION: Terry Freitas Commons
CONTACT: coco@ucsc.edu
Practical Activism Conference Planning Team
The Practical Activism Conference is a daylong, student-led conference with speakers, organizations, and hands-on activism sessions. The conference is planned by a group of dedicated students who meet weekly in Fall and Winter Quarters. Student planners receive 2-units that fulfill the PR GE-Requirement for each quarter they participate.
DATE: Saturday, March 1st, 2025
LOCATION: College Nine and John R. Lewis College MPR
CONTACT: coco@ucsc.edu or @practicalactivism on Instagram
Social Justice Community Weekend (SJCW)
Social Justice Community Weekend (SJCW; formerly known as Multicultural Community Weekend or MCW) is a biannual overnight retreat that brings together College Nine and John R. Lewis College students to deepen their awareness and connection to John R. Lewis College's theme of Social Justice and Community.
Through a series of interactive exercises and small group discussions, students are given the opportunity to learn more about themselves and others by exploring areas impacting our individual identities (e.g. race, class, sexual orientation, gender), the C9/JRLC community, and our society as a whole.
RETREAT DATE: The next SJCW will be during the 2025-2026 Academic Year! For the 2024-2025 Academic Year, C9/JRLC is hosting ICW in February 2025.
APPLICATION DUE DATE: Coming the 2025-2026 Academic Year
CONTACT: coco@ucsc.edu
Alternative Spring Break (ASB)
Make a difference during spring break in the city of Watsonville, Santa Cruz County! Join a team of dedicated UCSC students working together for social justice and stronger communities.
DATES: TBA
INFO MEETINGS: TBA
CONTACT: TBA
Community Garden Class and Group
The College Nine & John R. Lewis College community garden class and group allow students to engage in a collaborative design process, learn hands-on skills and community gardening best practices, coordinate garden work days, strategize outreach, and build regenerative social and ecological systems.
CLUB MEETS: Fridays from 12-2pm in Fall 2024
LOCATION: College Nine & John R. Lewis College Garden (across from the Rec Lounge and Terry Freitas Commons)
CONTACT: 9gardenclub10@gmail.com or @ourgarden9.jrl on Instagram
John R. Lewis College Governing Cooperative
The "GoCo" is the College's student governing body. It appoints students to campus and college-wide committees, advises College administration on policy development, and provides monetary support to student organizations.
MEETS: Thursdays 8-9pm
LOCATION: Rec Lounge
CONTACT: jrlgoco@ucsc.edu or @jrlgoco on InstagramPRAXIS: Student Volunteer Community
PRAXIS is a student-led organization geared toward community building and social justice. Each month PRAXIS members engage in a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout Santa Cruz County and neighboring communities.
MEETS: TBA
LOCATION: TBA
CONTACT: ucscpraxis@gmail.com or @ucscpraxis on Instagram
Lavender Club
Come celebrate and strengthen the queer community at C9/JRLC with this group open to all LGBTQ+ students and allies!
MEETS: Thursdays from 6-7pm in Fall 2024
LOCATION: C9/JRLC Community Room
CONTACT: @lavenderclub9jrl on Instagram