Clubs represent many things in the English language: sandwiches, golf instruments and groups of people with similar interests. While each of these three has their own significance, perhaps the one that holds the most value at Northwestern is the latter.
Fine arts, athletics and the Student Activity Council all offer chances for students to get involved, but they are usually headed by faculty and staff and often are already established when students join. This means that students have to step into spaces that are created for them, rather than getting their own say in how they run. No one gets to change the rules of basketball or decide to switch theater scripts halfway through a performance. Clubs and organizations, however, play an integral role in the campus experience because they offer students the opportunity to take ownership of the type of programming they want to be a part of.
Niche interests and specific passions find center stage at campus clubs, as they cater to a smaller group of people and not to the entire population of NW. Agriculture enthusiasts, aspiring leaders, future artists and businesspeople alike can find a home in a NW club. Frequent club-attendee Clara Pahl says that: “clubs are great because you can interact with others in typically low-stake environments.”
Someone who attends a club does not have to be an expert, only a curious learner.
However, even though clubs are a great opportunity, many students have not heard of them or do not know how to get involved. One of the problems with club advertising is that many students do not know about them due to the fact that most of the communication is internal and not to all of campus.
If someone does not attend the Involvement Fair at the beginning of the year, it is difficult if not impossible to know of clubs on campus. Even the Clubs and Organizations page on MyNorthwestern is severely outdated. There is no longer a place for people who are interested in NW Catholics, Women’s Rugby or the Adventure club.
The club graveyard is ever-present and ever-growing due to busy schedules and lack of communication across campus.
However, if any of those sound intriguing, the process to revive what once has perished is simple and accessible. MyNorthwestern, though it has outdated intel on which clubs are functioning, has all the necessary paperwork and steps for making an official club. Some key aspects of every club proposal include having a student leadership team consisting of a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer.
In addition to a dedicated student team, every club also needs a faculty advisor. While this may seem like another responsibility for professors amidst all of their other responsibilities, it can be a great opportunity for them to connect with students outside of the classroom. “I love being the advisor to the women in leadership club,” said Julie Elliott. “It allows me to be part of the NW education that happens outside the classroom, to witness students grow in their leadership gifts, and most of all, to get to know students in a fun and casual setting.”
Even though it might seem daunting to ask a faculty member to add one more thing to their schedule, it can be rewarding for both them and the students in the club. After the staff member signs a form and the paperwork is completed, the Student Government Association votes on whether or not to approve it. The process is intended to fine-tune the club’s purpose and make sure the executive team is prepared for the responsibility, not to crush the dreams of hopeful leaders. The goal of clubs at NW is to give students the opportunity to take their extracurriculars in their own hands and to provide spaces for students to invest in their current interests and learn about new one, all while making campus a more engaged and involved place.
