Student Life
Every attempt is made in campus activities to integrate students’ formal academic studies with personal experiences that are integral to the total learning experience.
Triton College Student Association
The Triton College Student Association (TCSA) is the umbrella organization for all of the student groups on campus and serves as the student government for the institution. Its purpose is to represent all students enrolled in a credit course at Triton College, approve allocation of Student Services fees, provide input on campus-wide student governance committees, establish the necessary framework for the implementation of activities for students and provide leadership for the student body.
The TCSA is made up of five executive officers and 25 student senators. Officer elections are held in April and Senate elections are held in September. To join a committee, contact the TCSA Office at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3383. Meetings are open to the public and are held every Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. in the Senate Chambers, Room B-270 in the Student Center.
CampusNet
CampusNet is a committee made up of executive board officers from all of the student clubs and organizations on campus.
The purpose of CampusNet is threefold: (1) to provide a president’s network which acknowledges student leaders and sponsored events from the various student organizations recognized on Triton’s campus; (2) to provide leadership development training to student organization leaders; and (3) to provide a mechanism for recruitment and retention of membership for the student organizations represented.
CampusNet represents all the student members of Triton College’s clubs and organizations. Meetings are open to all clubs and organizations and are held during the first week of every month throughout the school year. For additional information, contact the Clubs and Organizations office at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3221.
Phi Theta Kappa
In 1918, the presidents of eight junior colleges for women in Missouri met to organize an honor society to recognize academic achievement. Patterned after Phi Beta Kappa, the historic and prestigious honor society for four-year colleges, Phi Theta Kappa’s initial letters (PTK) for the Greek words phrominmon, thuemos and katharotes mean wisdom, aspiration and purity.
The 70-plus years of Phi Theta Kappa history that provides this society with its unique identity, reached its most important milestone in 1929. In this year, the American Association of Junior Colleges (now the American Association of Community Colleges) recognized this organization as the official honor society of America’s two-year colleges.
Today, more than 60,000 students, initiated by more than 1,000 chapters located in all 50 states, U.S. territorial possessions and other world countries, provide an unprecedented growth, no longer limited to a national commitment but of international accord.
On the local level, chapters belong to regions composed of a single state or a group of states. With more than 50 chapters, Illinois represents itself as a single state region. Chi Zeta chapter at Triton College exemplifies the four hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, fellowship and service.
Membership is extended by invitation. To be considered a student must:
- be enrolled in an associate’s degree program;
- have completed at least 12 hours of course work in courses leading to the associate’s degree;
- have established a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5.
Students who have received an associate’s degree are encouraged to join the alumni PTK organization.
More information concerning Phi Theta Kappa may be found in the student handbook, or from the office of Student Life in Room B-240 or by calling (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3752.
Academic Co-Curricular Activities
The School of Arts and Sciences promotes a variety of student activities that support and extend the academic program. The student paper, The Fifth Avenue Journal, relies upon the work of students from mass communications, visual communications, creative writing and other areas. The Theater department offers four major productions each year. All students are welcome to audition or to work as technicians. Music faculty and students form the award-winning Triton Jazz Band, the Triton Community Concert Band and the Triton College Choir. Concerts and recitals are presented regularly. The Triton College Art Gallery features exhibitions of student, faculty, community and professional artists.
In the social sciences, Triton offers participation in two unique programs, Model Illinois Government (MIG) and Model United Nations (MUN). Students are selected to participate on a competitive basis. MUN gathers students from around the nation and world to simulate the deliberations of the UN for a full week at UN Headquarters in New York. MIG gathers more than 200 students from around Illinois in Springfield to simulate the functioning of the Legislature.
In the sciences, Triton sponsors the Science Lecture Series. Two times each semester, prominent scientists and educators are invited to speak on their research and interests to students, faculty and staff.
Arts and Sciences also sponsor the Ariel and Poetry contests in the English department.
Cernan Earth and Space Center
The Cernan Earth and Space Center on the Triton College campus in River Grove presents engaging planetarium programs which take college classes, visiting groups and the general public on dramatic voyages of discovery throughout the year.
Two highlights of most planetarium programs are a tour of the current night sky and open question time with one of our knowledgeable educators. While astronomy and space exploration are the most frequent topics, shows can address other sciences such as geology, meteorology, engineering and paleontology – even astrobiology. Other programs feature history, culture, art and music. The planetarium also plays host to Cosmic Light Shows where brilliant lasers, digital effects and thousands of stars perform to music.
Visitors are welcome to browse our Star Store’s unique selection of gifts for science enthusiasts and explore the small exhibit area featuring many artifacts, including a spacesuit worn during Apollo 10 by Captain Gene Cernan. Captain Cernan was born in Chicago in 1934, graduated from Proviso High School, flew aboard the Gemini 9, Apollo 10, and Apollo 17 missions, and was the last astronaut to leave his footprints on the lunar surface in December 1972.
Triton College students, faculty and staff are admitted to Cernan Earth and Space Center planetarium programs FREE with a valid ID. Check the website for additional discounts offered to military service members and their families, school teachers and others with special ID. And take advantage of the plentiful free parking!
For the latest program and schedule information:
Intercollegiate Athletics
The Triton College Athletic department welcomes all interested students to take part in intercollegiate athletics. All students must be full time and meet grade point average requirements in order to qualify. The following sports are offered as part of the athletic program:
| Men’s |
Women’s |
| Baseball |
Basketball |
| Basketball |
Softball |
| Soccer |
Soccer |
| Wrestling |
Volleyball |
| Track and Field |
Track and Field |
Triton’s athletic teams are nationally recognized throughout the country. It continues this strong tradition by winning championships, developing All-Americans and placing its student-athletes at four-year universities. As a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (Region IV), Triton gives its athletes the opportunity to challenge the nation’s top athletic programs.
For more information on any of these sports, call (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3784, or visit the Athletic Office in Room R-202 on the east campus.
Recreational Activities
Swimming Pool and Fitness Center—The Triton College swimming pool is available for class credit or for personal fitness. The indoor pool is a six-lane, 25-yard pool. The Fitness Center also includes high-tech Trotter equipment, Stairmasters, treadmills, a recumbent bike and a Concept II rower, backed by an indoor track. These facilities are located in the Robert M. Collins Center.
