By Lauren Adams
Reporter
When a sense of boredom or lack of belonging trails the steps of a Crowder student, it is possible to take action and create a new club or organization.
For many students, college is not just about the knowledge gained from a textbook or sitting in a lecture hall; it is about the broadening of the mind that happens when you collaborate with fellow students in the library or on the quad. It is about the stories you get from the spontaneous trips and late nights with your classmates or roommates. Getting involved and finding a niche of belonging is rarely regretted. Finding that niche can be easier said than done however.
It is easy to get lost in the roughly 30 clubs and organizations offered by Crowder College. Each one holds varying degrees of commitment, reward, and participation. From the Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Business clubs that takes overnight (usually week long) trips each semester to other states, to the Bedlam Writers’ Guild, a completely student facilitated group that meets irregularly and works independently. There are new clubs, such as the Debate Club and clubs that have existed at the college for many years such as the CC International Club. There are clubs that work closely with the staff and keep a professional profile as well as clubs informal enough to have group chats on messenger where members share gifs and personal anecdotes.
These clubs are more than just a way to pass time. As one Crowder student, Sarah Swayne, establishes, groups build very meaningful relationships and deeply enrich the college years. She remarks that “the Crowder Player’s Club [theater club] has become my family. We all come from different backgrounds, yet somehow we understand each other perfectly.”
Yet there are still groups unrepresented and students that fail to spot a group that appeals to their interests. Rather than accepting the absence of a such a niche, why not create one? If one student keenly feels the absence of a particular interest or group, it is unlikely for them to be alone and many could benefit.
This very semester the Pilates Club was created and has been meeting weekly on the quad every Thursday evening. According to the founder, Amy Leyva, starting a new club is neither difficult nor time consuming. By attending a Student Government Association meeting with a club outline (including a name, proposed meeting date, and summary), a list of ten signatures from potential, and the signature of a staff member who agrees to sponsor, anyone can set something big into motion. The government members will cast a vote and most likely pop the proposed club into existence.
Perhaps it is the legacy of a current student to begin the Chess Club or the Non-Traditional Union. Brandon Lee, America’s beloved actor and martial artist declares that “immortality is to live your life doing good things, and leaving your mark behind”. Every student has the potential to leave a legacy and improve Crowder College for future students by sponsoring a new club.
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