Hotchkiss students have formed approximately 80 advocacy, culture, and affinity clubs, which change year to year. By participating, students have the opportunity to share their experiences, cultures and beliefs. At times, students meet privately to discuss matters of identity or social issues. At other times, these groups open their doors to welcome everyone to join their discussions. Groups formed by affinity or a shared identity have the power to shape discourse among the greater student body.
 
Clubs (which are open to all) and affinity groups (which serve certain groups) that are focused on equity and inclusion include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Africa Club: educating and raising awareness of the deep roots, cultures, stories, and experiences within the African community. All members of the community are welcome and appreciated! 
• Asian Culture Club (ACC): educating about cultures from all over Asia. All members of the community are welcome and appreciated! 
• Association of Southeast Asian Nation Students (ASEANS): an affinity group for those who identify as Southeast Asian. We provide a safe and intentional place in which students can connect via common culture and experiences.
• Black and Hispanic Student Association (BaHSA): engages the community in discussions and holds events aimed at exploring matters related to Black and Latinx identity.
• Bluestockings: promotes intersectional feminism at Hotchkiss. All members of the community are welcome and appreciated! 
• Bring Change to Mind (BC2M): a mental health awareness organization dedicated to reducing the stigma around mental illness by increasing awareness and education that surround mental health conditions.
• Cafe: an affinity group for students who identify as black or brown women. We create a safe space, empower each other and build a friendly community.
• Chinese Club: sharing and celebrating the immersive Chinese culture. Activities include celebrations of festivals, gatherings, discussion forums, food workshops, karaoke, and the annual stir-fry competition. All members of the community are welcome and appreciated! 
• De Colores: an affinity group for Latinx and Hispanic identifying students. We provide a safe space and raise awareness across the Hotchkiss community more broadly. 
• El Club: promoting awareness of current events and culture in the Hispanic and Latin American world. We are open to everyone regardless of culture or ethnicity, so come out and have some fun!
• Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA): dedicated to facilitating open discussions about queer identity and queer culture as well as contemporary issues surrounding the LGBTQ+ community both within and beyond Hotchkiss. 
• Glasswing: an organization started by a Hotchkiss alum dedicated to empowering youth in El Salvador to address the root causes of poverty and violence in their communities through education, health, and community empowerment.
• Gospel Choir: We gather each week to sing Gospel music, and we perform in Chapel and other events! It's a great way to spread joy, relieve stress, and spend time with a great group of people. No singing or religious experience needed!
• Hillel: a club for students and faculty to discuss matters relating to Jewish faith and culture. We host weekly non religious, casual Shabbat meetings and warmly invite those who are not Jewish to attend.
• Hotchkiss Multi-Faith Union (HMU): a space to gather and discuss religion and current events. HMU flourishes because of the diverse student backgrounds at Hotchkiss.
• Hotchkiss Step Team: focused on unity through teamwork, confidence, and coordination. Step serves as a fun activity that works on rhythm, precision, and accuracy. We choreograph and organize performances to promote school spirit.
• Islamic Society: a space for members of the Hotchkiss community who identify as Muslim. We build a support and safety network to foster lasting bonds and connections.
• Japanese Culture Club: provides a platform for the community to learn more about Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese language, and Japanese identity. The club aims to create a fun environment for achieving this mission through hosting meetings centered around festivals and celebrations, movies, and other Japanese traditions.
• Korea Club: brings awareness and knowledge of the Korean culture to the Hotchkiss community and discusses topics and issues prevalent in Korea. All members of the community are welcome and appreciated!
• LinkAge: a multicultural student club that connects individuals of different backgrounds and cultures. We promote storytelling and global thinking throughout our diverse community through initiatives such as the annual Cultural Fair, Flag Project, Cultural Spotlight talks, and Cultural dress down day.
• Men of Color at Hotchkiss (MoCaH): an affinity group that seeks to cultivate brotherhood. We provide an outlet where men of color can practice vulnerability and stand in solidarity for one another.
• Multi-Racial Students Union (MRSU): an affinity group for those who self-identify as multi-racial.
• PRISM: open to people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We discuss current events and controversial topics happening in the world and how they affect the people within our community. 
• Society of Women in STEM: an affinity group focused on supporting and creating a community of female-identifying students who are interested in STEM!
• Spectrum: a publication focused on themes of diversity, identity, equity, and inclusion -- a platform where everyone can share their voice. 
• Triple A (Asian [American] Association): a Pan-Asian advocacy club that engages the community in discussions and events centered around exploring and amplifying Pan-Asian experiences and identities. All members of the community are welcome and appreciated!
• West Indies Culture Club (WICC): an open space that serves to engage our community on the West Indian culture and experience while empowering members of the West Indian community. All members of the community are welcome and appreciated!

The School continues to focus on providing increased financial support to affinity groups primarily serving BIPOC students.

The Student Council on Diversity & Inclusion is charged with serving as a liaison between Hotchkiss students and School leadership. In this capacity, the Council is actively involved in driving programming, facilitating community engagements, and distributing communications. These include community-wide “fishbowl” conversations around important topics, such as the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and a student-led diversity and inclusion newsletter. 

In 2020, Hotchkiss partnered with a leading firm to create and distribute a climate survey to students. The survey covered a variety of topics including emotional well-being, academic well-being, substance use or abuse, and discrimination, among others. The purpose of the survey, which will be administered every year, is to establish a baseline understanding of our climate in order to make it better. 

We want every member of our community to feel safe reporting an incident of bias, whether experienced or observed. Using a form readily available on the Hotchkiss Hub, students can report incidents of bias involving peers, faculty, or anyone on campus with whom they are in contact. The form is then shared with the dean of community life, the dean of faculty, and the director of human resources so appropriate action can be taken. 

To provide a safe and joyful space for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students to explore resources, relax, and socialize, we have created a Multi-Cultural Center in the Main Building. While the facility is designed primarily for students from groups that have been traditionally marginalized, it is open to all.

To create more opportunities for students to engage with underrepresented voices, Hotchkiss has made a substantial financial commitment to engage up to three speakers of prominence per year. In addition, we continue to welcome an impressive array of alumni speakers. 

The National Association of Independent Schools holds an annual People of Color Conference, a flagship event demonstrating NAIS’s commitment to equity and justice in teaching and learning. Each year, we sponsor faculty and staff members to attend this leading event. In addition, students attend NAIS’s Student Diversity Leadership Conference. These learning opportunities help participants develop knowledge, skills, and experiences to improve and enhance the interracial, interethnic, and intercultural climate at Hotchkiss.