The Student Government Association, the Recreation Center, and SLAM (Student Life at Montclair) are very big student groups on campus. The SGA manages all the student organizations and clubs and also plans and runs several events for the student body through the year. They vote on events, budgets, fundraisers, etc. The Rec Center employs a large number of students and they also plan and run various events throughout the year that are heavily attended by students on campus. They often give away big prizes through games, including iPads! They have also done trips like White Water Rafting. SLAM additionally does a lot of event planning with the SGA, including Winter Ball and Spring Bash (two formal dinner events for students) as well as concerts with artists such as Jason Derulo, Cartel, and New Found Glory. These are just a few but there are over 150 clubs!
I have been a member of the Rhythm Nation Dance Club since last fall. We are an entirely student run group and we choreograph all of our own dances, which we perform at various events throughout the year both on and off campus, including Battlegrounds (a talent showcase hosted by the Unified Asian American Student Organizatioin - UAASO), Relay for Life (hosted by Colleges Against Cancer), Giggles Children's Theater at St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson, and our annual Spring Showcase. We coordinate various fundraisers and events through the year as well, both for our club and for charity.
Some other things to do on campus include attending student productions (plays, showcases, recitals, musical theater shows, etc), athletic events (MSU has 17 division 3 sports), and free food/game nights hosted by other clubs. There is always a variety of things to do and see on campus, and every Friday the entire student body is sent an email listing what events are going on for that upcoming week.
One of Montclair's biggest events is Homecoming. Homecoming is more than just a football game. All of the student organizations come together to represent student life at MSU and hold a big showcase where various organizations compete with a skit relating to the theme of that year's Homecoming. Trophies are awarded to the best skits and special prizes are given out. Local business come on campus to give away free merchandise and a big BBQ is held each year. Frats and sororities are always big participants in Homecoming.
Montclair's little claim to fame is that it has the only 24 hour diner on a college campus in the nation, which is named the Red Hawk Diner after its mascot. On weekends the diner is often bustling with students past midnight enjoying a good meal with friends, perhaps after a show or event on campus. During midterms and finals it is also popular in the early hours of the morning as students are up late studying. It's a great place for a social gathering with friends.