University of Minnesota student groups create community outside of class

Just a few years ago, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Argentine Tango Club, also known as UTango, was on the verge of disappearing. 

Throughout the pandemic, the club was on its last legs. Membership recruitment struggled, and at one point, it was down to only three people.

Now, with about a dozen regulars, UTango is thriving. 

“We’re small, but we’re mighty,” says Maya Dalal, the group’s president.

The group’s renaissance is about more than just dancing. For those involved, it’s about finding community, having an outlet, and coming together weekly, just as much as it is learning the steps to the tango.

“We want this to be a place where people feel welcomed,” Dalal says. “Dancing and trying something new can be scary, but we want this to be a place where everyone, regardless of their ability, feels comfortable.”

On this day, the members gathered in a room on the fourth floor of the University Recreation and Wellness Center. They start by gathering in a circle and walking through some of the motions. Next, they pair up and start dancing. 

Students take turns in both the lead and the follow roles, with the partners communicating through subtle signs as they dance around the room.

“In tango, there is a tremendous amount of trusting one another,” says Dalal, a senior retail and consumer studies major. “I have yet to meet someone in tango with a lot of ego. You have to learn how to communicate both as a leader and a follower. And those are skills you can turn around and use outside of tango.”

Growing professional skills

For many, student groups at the University become a cornerstone of their experience.

That has certainly been the case for those involved with Women in Business, one of the largest student organizations on campus. Women in Business is designed to inspire, support, and connect future business leaders. Open to any undergraduate student regardless of gender or major, Women in Business offers mentorship opportunities, professional development workshops, and career-building events, as well as an outlet for networking, developing leadership skills, and connecting with industry professionals.

The group also hosts a biweekly speaker series, featuring successful female leaders, as well as career fairs, resume workshops, and internship preparation sessions. All of these opportunities are designed to help members gain valuable experience and learn about post-graduation job opportunities.

In addition to professional development, Women in Business participates in community service projects and charitable initiatives, including an annual fundraising gala that the organization hosts.

The head lettuce

While groups such as Women in Business can help a student prepare for life after graduation, many clubs on the Twin Cities campus simply provide a fun outlet away from academics.

For instance, take the Lettuce Club. 

Each year, right before spring final exams, the Lettuce Club holds its one meeting a year. It’s a competition to see who can eat an entire head of iceberg lettuce the fastest. The person who wins becomes the new club president, known lovingly as the “head lettuce.”

Ethan Lie, a senior human physiology major, won the contest in May by eating the head of lettuce in 3 minutes, 32 seconds, and now serves as head lettuce.

“Before even applying to the University of Minnesota, I found out about the Lettuce Club in high school while scrolling through its list of student organizations,” Lie says. “I loved how funny and absurd it was."

Lie participated in the competition during his sophomore year, but lost to a friend. He competed again in 2025, winning the title while having a lot of fun.

“I find it beautiful that something as random and mundane as eating lettuce can bring so many students together from all backgrounds all over campus every year,” Lie says. “The University has plenty of far more serious clubs, such as those related to academics or culture. As important as those are, I think the Lettuce Club gives students a brief opportunity to just have some silly, low-stakes, low-commitment fun.”

Lie has been involved in several student clubs while at the University. During his sophomore year, he was the secretary of the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Club and the event coordinator for PERMIAS Minnesota, the University of Minnesota’s Indonesian Student Organization. Now, in addition to serving as head lettuce, he’s a member of the Ski and Snowboard Club.

“I fell in love with snowboarding during my first winter in Minnesota and want more opportunities to practice, especially with the many friends I have made in that club,” he says. 

As different as every club may seem, from the quiet focus of a tango step to the crunch of iceberg lettuce, students find communities built on shared curiosity, commitment, and joy. Whether they’re seeking professional development, cultural connection, creative expression, or simply a break from the pressures of campus life, student groups offer community and connection at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.