Welcome to Caltech! I am Albert, a rising senior in Chemical Engineering from Avery House, and President of the Caltech Y Student Executive Committee (ExComm). The Caltech Y is a campus non-profit run by students and staff to connect undergraduates and graduates with opportunities in the community both on-campus and beyond. We are here to enrich your student experience and support your growth as an engaged citizen of the world.
The Y offers many opportunities to explore the greater L.A. area and meet other people on campus through trips to local attractions, service and cultural travel abroad, volunteering at local schools, civic and political talks and screenings, cultural and social events, hikes near campus, camping trips to national parks, and much more… all organized by Caltech students for Caltech students! We also offer a wide range of low-cost equipment rentals to Caltech community members, including outdoor gear and AV equipment if you are interested in hosting your own events. Check out the Y website, or talk to any student on the Y ExComm to learn more about our organization and the opportunities we offer. If you are interested in going beyond participation and helping organize and lead programs, feel free to check out and join the ExComm, or one of our other leadership groups. Everyone on campus is welcome to join! Please reach out to me (at akyi@caltech.edu) or any of our ExComm members if you want to learn more about what we do at the Y. As part of our email list, you will get information on our tickets, events, projects, and trips. We hope to see you out there, maybe even on the Y-Hike (details above)!
Caltech Y Leadership Opportunities
Most students are involved with the Caltech Y as participants, but for those also interested in helping to choose, organize and lead Caltech Y programs, projects, or trips that opportunity exists.
Check-out some of our opportunities for leadership:
Y-Outdoors Planning Team
Contact caltechy@caltech.edu for more information. Y-Outdoors is looking for outdoor enthusiasts, from novice to experienced leaders, interested in helping others explore the great outdoors. They meet are every other week to organize hiking, camping, and other adventure outings; talks focused on adventure venues, skills, and resources, and to help select equipment for students to use on their own adventures.
Student Activism Speaker Series (SASS) Committee Contact caltechy@caltech.edu for more information. The SASS Committee organizes speaker events focused on policy and world issues, as well as science and global policy trips to Geneva, Silicon Valley, and Washington, DC. No experience is needed – just a desire to promote awareness and engaged citizenship. The SASS Committee meets briefly each week to discuss possible speakers and topics, work on invitations and advertising, and organize event logistics.
Service Leadership Opportunities Contact caltechy@caltech.edu for more information. Students through the Caltech Y coordinate a variety of service projects, on-going as well as one-time efforts, including serving meals at our local homeless shelter, doing science demos for local afterschool programs, reading to kids, and tutoring local middle and high school students throughout the year as a part of our Rise tutoring program. Let us know if you are interested in helping to coordinate projects or tutor for Rise.
Student Executive Committee (ExComm) Contact caltechy@caltech.edu for more information. The Student Executive Committee (ExComm) oversees all Caltech Y programs - organizing activities as well as providing funding for the other leadership groups above. The ExComm meets weekly over lunch to discuss ideas and plan trips and programs that are primarily social and service orientated. It is open to any interested students.
The Caltech Y is an independent, student-driven, non-profit organization affiliated with Caltech, that was founded in 1916, as a student chapter of the YMCA, to provide programs planned by, and for, students… and to promote leadership development and self-discovery. While the Caltech Y has added a staff and board of directors, the spirit of our founding remains – student-driven opportunities that enrich student life and challenge students to be engaged citizens of the world.
