Marlboro College - Student Life

Student Life

Because of its isolation, Marlboro's social life is largely self-contained and centers primarily on small student-organized events or parties. Open mic nights at the Campus Center happen several times a semester, and seniors organize a boisterous party called Cabaret at the end of each semester, which features insulting awards given to students. Graduating seniors and professors hold a party at the end of every academic year.

The school was founded on and continues to encourage a tradition of community participation and values. A bi-monthly "town meeting" allows all community members to gather and vote to change the college bylaws. An elected community court dispenses justice when necessary. Different elected committees, consisting of students, faculty and staff, help to hire faculty (or even college presidents) and steer the curriculum, among many other responsibilities.

The school maintains minimal security measures in order to promote attitudes of trust and responsibility on campus. The library is also open all night and uses a self-checkout honor system to keep track of borrowed materials.

Athletics are also shaped by Marlboro's location, and by Vermont's long winters – the coldest weather coincides with the academic year. Though few organized sports teams exist, the school's "Outdoor Program" promotes nature-oriented activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, canoeing, hiking, and the annual February broomball tournament.