Student Life
Las Positas College is committed to providing programs and services that foster student participation and engagement in college governance, activities, organizations, and cultural events. The College recognizes the important role of students as active and meaningful participants in the shared governance decision-making process of the institution. Important and essential responsibilities of the college include comprehensive leadership development and co-curricular programs for students to strengthen their knowledge, expand their understanding of governance issues, increase their preparedness, and apply their skills. The Student Life Office is committed to improving student success and engagement by ensuring access, equity, and inclusion for all students.
Las Positas College Student Government
The Las Positas College Student Government (LPCSG) is the campus student government, providing opportunities for students to participate in the governance of the College by serving on College and District committees. In addition, LPCSG members advocate on local, state and federal levels for student interests.
LPCSG is organized in two bodies – the Executive Council (which is composed of elected officers) and the Student Senate (which is composed of members who have been appointed by LPCSG). Elections of LPCSG officers are held each spring. Students can become senators at any time during the academic year. All LPCSG officers and senators must be enrolled in at least 5 units at LPC and must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average.
LPCSG supports resources for students including the textbook loan program, The Market (free monthly food distribution), social and cultural events, a space in the Welcome Center (with couches, a single-serve coffee bar, ice maker, etc.), student and professional panels, and other resources that vary as opportunities develop.
LPCSG is located in Student Services & Administration, Building 1600, First Floor. The office telephone number is (925) 424-1490. For more information, visit: http://laspositascollege.edu/student-gov/.
Student Clubs and Inter-Club Council
Students have the opportunity to form clubs relating to common social, recreational, or other interests. Each club must have an advisor who is college faculty or staff member, recruited and nominated by the club members. The Inter-Club Council (ICC) is the representative body that coordinates club activities and funds. The ICC promotes communication and cooperation among clubs on campus. The ICC is composed of a voting representative from each club, representing cultural, educational, honorary, philanthropic, and social interests. For more information, visit: http://laspositascollege.edu/studentlife/.
Honor Societies
There are four recognized Honor Societies on campus. Alpha Gamma Sigma (AGS) is a statewide Honor Society open to any student who has completed at least 12 units at LPC with at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA). Beta Beta Beta is a national honor society that is open to students who are Biological Science Majors who have completed at least three semester courses in Biological Science, of which at least one is not an introductory course, with an average grade of “B” in those courses, have a “B” average in all courses and be in good academic standing. Mu Alpha Theta is a national honor society that is open to students with an interest in Math who have at least a 3.0 GPA in math courses from College Algebra/Precalculus or above. Psi Beta is a national honor society for Psychology students who have completed at least 12 units at LPC, passed at least one 3-unit Psychology course with a grade of “B” or better, and have a 3.0 GPA. Membership in honor societies will be noted on students’ transcripts when they graduate or transfer from Las Positas College. For more information, contact the Student Life Office at (925) 424-1490.
Social Activities
LPC offers numerous social activities each semester through groups like LPCSG. Students interested in working on social activities and entertainment should contact Student Life at (925) 424-1490.
The Express Newspaper
The award-winning Express newspaper is produced by students in the Express College Newspaper class and is published online and in print. Students practice and refine journalism skills, including recognizing newsworthy events, writing stories, taking photographs, designing pages, and creating multimedia stories including podcasts and broadcasts. They distribute their work in print, online, and through social media. Students are introduced to concepts related to journalism, photojournalism, multimedia production, business management, graphic arts, design, social media, leadership, and editing. Students also learn about the important role that journalism plays in democracy. To join the team, sign up for Express College Newspaper in the Journalism and Media Studies Department. The Express Newspaper is available on campus and online at http://lpcexpressnews.com.
Naked Magazine
Naked Magazine, Las Positas College's award-winning student magazine, launched in fall 2008. The magazine production class allows students to create a journalistic-style student magazine in a lab setting. Emphasis is placed on developing content, writing in-depth magazine articles, producing photographs and other visual elements, correlating copy and visuals, laying out pages in the production process, copy editing, promoting advertising and sponsorships, and exploring ethical issues. This class is offered in the fall semester. To join the magazine, sign up for College Magazine in the Journalism and Media Studies Department. Naked Magazine is available on campus and online at www.lpcnakedmagazine.com.
Havik, the Journal of Arts and Literature
Havik, Las Positas College's award-winning journal of arts and literature, is published each spring by students in cross-listed English and Journalism and Media Studies classes. "Havik" is Dutch for hawk, which is the college's mascot as well as a play on the word havoc. The class allows students to experience the creation of a journal, from the solicitation of submissions to the selection of works to the design and creation of the book. During the production process, students work with poetry, artwork, photography, short fiction, creative nonfiction, academic papers, and experimental works. The final step is a publications and awards ceremony, featuring contributors and the newly published journal. To join the journal staff, sign up for the Journal of Arts, Literature, and Writing in either the English or Journalism and Media Studies Department. You may also submit work for consideration. Havik is available for sale at the campus bookstore and in Room 2409. For more information, visit the journal website at https://havikjournal.wixsite.com/website.
Speech and Debate Team
The award-winning LPC Speech Team (also known as Forensics), the Talk Hawks, is a competitive activity that provides students with an intensive focus on enhancing research, writing and performance skills. Forensics students compete at tournaments against other colleges and universities from across the nation in the areas of Public Speaking, Oral Interpretation, and Debate. In addition to traveling statewide, nationally and internationally to competitions, the program hosts tournaments and Speech Performance nights.
Performing Arts
A wide range of opportunities are available to Las Positas College students in the performing arts.
The Theater Arts Department offers students training and experience through classes in Technical Theater, Acting, Musical Theater, and History and Theory. Performance opportunities include an average of four productions per year, which may include fall and spring shows, an outdoor summer musical, student directing projects, and a Theater for Young Audiences production. Theater Arts offers AA and AA-T degrees, Certificates of Achievement in Technical Theater, Acting, and Musical Theater, as well as the cohort-style Actors Conservatory that features multiple embedded certificates.
The Music Department offers two degrees: The Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Music, and the Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T) in Music. Stackable certificates in Music and Commercial Music are also offered. These include Certificates of Achievement in Scoring for Film and Multimedia, Music Business, Teaching Beginning Piano, Teaching Intermediate Piano, Piano Teaching Fundamentals and Music Technology Fundamentals. Students may also earn a Certificate of Achievement in Jazz Studies, which articulates to the Bachelor of Music program in Jazz Studies at the California Jazz Conservatory. The department offers Applied one-on-one lessons on a variety of instruments as well as voice and composition. Students who complete the Applied program are well-equipped to successfully audition for Bachelor programs. In the near future, the department will be offering a new certificate program in Piano Technology.
Students have multiple opportunities to perform, compose, produce, and participate in a variety of events - both on campus and in the community - throughout the semester. Performance ensembles include Chamber and Concert Choirs, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, and Chamber Orchestra. The recording studio "The Hawks Nest" houses state-of-the-art equipment and software, and is available for Music students to record and produce music at a professional level. In 2022, Las Positas College acquired a Steinway Spirio | r (the world's finest high-resolution player piano capable of recording and editing) and thus earned the coveted All-Steinway School designation, joining the ranks of other elite colleges and universities worldwide.
The Dance Department offers courses in technique, composition and performance. Students have the opportunity to work with professional guest artists through the Choreography for the Stage course. A range of performance opportunities are made available through formal and informal productions. Performance venues include unique environments throughout campus and three state of the art theater spaces.
The Communication Studies Department offers classes in Oral Interpretation of Literature and Activities In Forensics, also known as the Speech and Debate Team. Students have multiple opportunities to perform interpretive and original material in classroom environments, at intercollegiate competitive tournaments and on LPC’s main stage theater.
Intercollegiate Athletics
Las Positas College offers student-athlete participation on nine intercollegiate athletic teams, serving approximately 175 student athletes each year. We provide intercollegiate teams for women’s volleyball, water polo, soccer, basketball, and swim/dive. For men, we provide intercollegiate teams in water polo, soccer, basketball, and swim/dive. Athletics at Las Positas College, as with all California community colleges, is governed by the general regulations of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA), as well as specific regulations of the Coast Conference in which Las Positas College holds membership. Students who participate in athletics must meet the requirements of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA).
Academic standing, enrollment within an intercollegiate class, completed and approved eligibility forms, and a physical exam are required to compete in the intercollegiate sport.
Per CCCAA Article 1.5.3 the Athletic Director and the College President monitor the integrity of the intercollegiate athletic program regarding rules, compliance, and eligibility. Students will work with our counseling staff towards a degree/certificate or transfer. All incoming student-athletes must meet with a counselor and complete a Student Educational Plan (SEP). Periodic reports on attendance and class progress may be requested from student-athletes’ instructors. These reports are reviewed by the respective coaches, the dean, and when indicated, the counselor.
Las Positas College is a member of the CCCAA Coast Conference. Both the men’s and women’s athletic teams engage in competitive conference and non-conference competition against both Northern and Southern California teams. Students interested in more information regarding athletics, please visit the College’s athletics website at: http://athletics.laspositascollege.edu.