Among the long hours and diligent work of deans and club members alike to make this year’s club week a success, some students are looking to charter new clubs as a part of the social club overhaul.
“The larger clubs are at capacity,” said Kara Abston, assistant dean of student life. “Hopefully, new clubs will be chartered and we continue to grow.”
After club week, Abston said they plan to reach out to students who did not find what they were looking for in the club process. She also said upperclassmen have already expressed a desire to take on this challenge of starting new clubs.
This summer the Student Association president, senior Bruce McMullen, was approached about creating a new club.
“I spent some time talking with the deans about club week and how it’s going to be different, and we spoke of the lack of clubs and how kids get left out,” McMullen said. “We decided new clubs for guys and girls need to be started.”
McMullen said he hopes that new clubs can provide more opportunities to more students still looking to join social clubs.
“I think that social clubs are an avenue to build relationships and have go-to people … all just to grow closer to God,” McMullen said. “That’s what clubs are: an avenue. We don’t find our identity in clubs.”
McMullen said he would have regrets about leaving his current club, Sub-T 16.
“The only reason I would start a new club is for other kids,” McMullen said. “I would want to try and create an opportunity for them, but that would come at a huge cost. I’ve had opportunities in Sub-T and will always be a member.”
According to the social club handbook, a new club must be approved by Feb. 1 and must have an organization of no more than 30 charter members with 10 upperclassmen who have three semesters of club experience. Also, no more than one-third of the charter members can be first-year students without club experience. The charter members must also find two qualified sponsors and submit a completed constitution to be approved by the Office of Student Life. Charter members also cannot use National Greek Letters to form the name of the new club.
“For any group that comes and approaches me and wants to talk, I will sit down and help them with their constitution, help them with whatever they need to do,” Abston said. “I am willing to hold their hand through the process.”
