EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

General

As a complement to classroom instruction, individual colleges and departments, residence hall, fraternal organizations, Student Government, University Program Council, and other groups sponsor programs of social, cultural, educational and physical activities which contribute to the personal growth of students at the University. Recreational activities, provided by various departments and organizations include games and sports, social functions, dramatics, dances, music, films, lectures and other programs throughout the year. In addition, students may choose to participate in over 200 recognized student organizations, which are formed around academic pursuits, politics, cultural, religion, service and other interests.

Believing that such participation contributes to the total development of the student, the University encourages students to participate in the extracurricular programs. Complete information about student activities is available from the Student Organization Center in the Memorial Union.

Intramural-Recreational Sports

Intramural-Recreational Sports offers a diverse array of competitive and non-competitive sports to all UND students, faculty, and staff, in men's, women's, co-recreational, and faculty-graduate divisions.

Sports include: aerobics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, broomball, flag football, golf, hockey, in-line hockey, racquetball, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. Intramural-Recreational Sports is administrated and officiated by students, with facilities including the Engelstad Arena, Hyslop Sports Center, Intramural-Recreational Fields, Ray Richards Golf Course, and use of Grand Forks Parks and Recreations Apollo Park Softball Complex.

Intramural-Recreational Sports fosters a spirit of competition and sportsmanship within an avant-garde recreation program with activities to enhance personal physical and mental health. For information, call 777-4330 or come by Room 261, Hyslop Sports Center.

Intercollegiate Athletics

A program of men's intercollegiate athletic competition is offered in football, baseball, basketball, hockey, track and field, golf, wrestling, cross country and swimming. The women's program includes competition in basketball, cross country, golf, track, swimming, softball, tennis, and volleyball. Many club and intramural activities are also available.

General policies are determined by the president and the faculty and students of the university. In establishing athletic policies, the administration is mindful of the contributions that athletic participation, at an advanced level, can make toward achievement of the fundamental goal of a liberal education. Every effort is made to keep the athletic program compatible with that goal.

The program not only provides a powerful motivating force, encouraging the development of bodily strength, skill and agility, but also affords opportunity for invaluable experience in self discipline and cooperation. The competitive events themselves provide recreation and entertainment for the entire student body and contribute toward the development of student loyalty and morale.

American Indian Symbols

For more than half a century, UND athletic teams have been known as the "Fighting Sioux" and have used an Indian head logo as their symbol. Since the University of North Dakota ranks among the top higher education institutions in the nation with respect to the number of quality support services available to American Indian students, the variety and substance of its Native American programs, and the number and success of its American Indian alumni, it is important that the nickname and logos be acceptable to UND's American Indian community, which includes many tribes. Surveys have indicated that the currently approved logos and the name "Fighting Sioux" are acceptable as long as stereotyped, racist or demeaning usages are avoided. The University community is committed to respect the past and present customs and traditions of the American Indian population. Further information on this subject is available from the Native American Programs Office, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Office of University Relations, or the Athletic Department.

Religious Activities on the Campus

A number of campus religious groups are available with a variety of individual and cooperative programs. The groups which have centers adjacent to the campus to serve the University community are: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Christus Rex Campus Center), the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (Wittenberg Lutheran Chapel), the Catholic Church (The Newman Center) and the United Campus Ministry representing the American Baptist, Episcopal, Moravian, Presbyterian (U.S.A.), United Church of Christ, and United Methodist Churches. All of these centers have at least one full-time staff person, with programs including worship, fellowship, bible study, Christian Education and service to the community. Community parishes are also welcoming of UND students.

Some of the other groups active on campus are Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade for Christ International, Baha'i, Chi Alpha, and Muslims. These groups have members of the University faculty as advisers.

Off-Campus Trips

Representatives of student organizations are allowed to be absent from classes for approved trips and activities. Each student must make satisfactory make-up arrangements with his or her instructors, before the event if possible. No off-campus activities or performances by student organizations are permitted during the period of semester examinations.

North Dakota Museum of Art

The North Dakota Museum of Art, founded in 1972, is the official art gallery of the State of North Dakota and the University of North Dakota Art Museum, with a primary focus on contemporary art by regional, national, and international artists. Exhibitions featuring an array of sculpture, painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry and other art forms change every six weeks. There is a Museum Shop and a Coffee Bar. Lectures and concerts are scheduled in the Museum on a regular basis. Located on Centennial Drive, south of Twamley Hall, the Museum and Museum Shop hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There is no admission charge.

UND Witmer Art Gallery

The UND Witmer Art Gallery increases awareness, understanding, and appreciation of art and acknowledges and supports serious artists of the region by providing exhibitions and a point of purchase for their high quality, original works. It is located at 2920 5th Avenue North, two blocks north of the main campus in a two-story house that was the long-time residence of former Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Witmer and his wife Lillian and their daughter Jean.

Among the variety of artwork displayed and available for purchase at the Witmer are stoneware, jewelry, handblown glass, photography, hand-pulled prints, paintings, works on paper, and notecards.

Gallery founder, and director since its inception in October 1990, is Sharon Webb. Special exhibits and tours are presented, and a bi-monthly newsletter is available by calling the Witmer at (701) 746-4211.