Graduate school at CSM will challenge you with hard work. But when your day is over-you've shut down your lab or finished you're literature search at the library-you'll have an opportunity to take advantage of the variety of recreational, entertainment, and social outlets available at CSM, in Golden, and in the nearby Denver metropolitan area.

On Campus

The Ben H. Parker Student Center is a popular spot on campus where students can relax between classes. The center has a full-service cafeteria, the I-Club snack bar, and a game room and is also home to the campus bookstore.

In a more practical vein, students on campus have easy access to the Student Health Center and the Arthur Lakes Library. Additionally, CSM's Computing Center is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, giving students flexible access to state-of-the-art computing and networking capabilities in addition to those within the department.

The newly constructed Student Recreation Center, centrally located and easily reached from anywhere on campus, offers a full range of state-of-the-art workout equipment and organized athletic activities including a pool and spa, fitness lab with a broad range of weight and cardiovascular machines,courts for volleyball, basketball, and badminton, an indoor track, and an indoor climbing wall. You will also find athletic fields and other formal and club sport activities such as cross-country skiing, rugby, downhill skiing, softball, ultimate frisbee, biking, and kayaking. Equipment rental, organized outings, and advice on outdoor adventures are available at CSMs outdoor recreation center.

On the social side, CSM has a campus-wide Graduate Student Association (GSA) that sponsors programs and activities specifically for graduate students. The GSA works to improve the quality of graduate education, increase interaction between students and the CSM faculty and administration, give graduate students a voice in scholastic matters, and address non-academic issues such as housing, day care, spouse employment, and other family needs. 

The GSA, along with the Sigma Xi fraternity, cosponsors CSM's annual Research Fair, which includes a graduate poster competition. GSA also funds the Oyster Club, a social gathering for graduate students and faculty that meets weekly during the semester. The association also sponsors a number of other social functions, including the children's Christmas party, graduation receptions, picnics, and barbecues.

Golden and Denver

Golden, located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, offers dozens of cultural and recreational opportunities. Although only 15 miles due west of Denver, Golden-a community of 15,000 people-has the ambiance of a quiet mountain town. Many of Colorado's famous ski areas are only an hour away by car, and with more than 300 sunny days annually, you can enjoy hiking, biking, camping and other outdoor activities year-round. Trails, mountains, streams, and open space are all within walking distance from campus.

In Denver, you'll find all the amenities of a major metropolitan area. The professional sports scene features the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Rockies, the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche. Downtown Denver offers a variety of cultural outlets including a world-class performing arts center and symphony, a vibrant music scene, international cuisine, and an exciting night life.