There are over three hundred and fifty student organizations at the University, including organizations of common interest or political activism, ethnic organizations, and greek organizations.

Intramural sports are also very popular in addition to the NCAA Division I varsity teams.

Though the official mascot is the Colonial, since 1996 the placement of a bronze hippo in the center of campus has caused the Hippo to become a second mascot for many. There is also a secret society, founded by President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, called the Order of the Hippo. Little is known about the organization.

There are 8 Panhellenic sororities on campus, including Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Phi , Delta Gamma, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Delta Tau and Sigma Kappa.