Our Perspective | New club policy creates difficulty

Application process impedes club creation

Creating a club should serve as a learning opportunity in which students can pursue a passion while gaining responsibility and learning to manage time and resources. Unfortunately, the new application process may result in just the opposite.

The implementation of the new policy handbook regarding the creation of clubs intends to formalize the previously casual application process. While this new system may help establish more definitive requirements about club goals, advisers and members, it complicates and lengthens a formerly simple process.

In addition, advisers may now need to play a larger role in the management of the club. This may discourage teachers from becoming advisers, as they are forced to take on responsibilities formerly allotted to students. Also, the increased role of the adviser will decrease the role of the students in the organization of the club.

Allowing students greater independence in the management of a club teaches students valuable lessons such as budgeting. Students will not benefit from the rigid new process, and they may hesitate to express their creativity through school sanctioned clubs because of the effort the process requires.

Another issue presented by the new club application process is limitations on club fundraising opportunities and club size. These limitations will negatively impact students who wish to create new clubs.

The committee of students and teachers, which will hear proposals for the creation of clubs, may intimidate and discourage students from attempting to create a club.

The administrative body should encourage the formation of clubs by creating a simpler process, which retains the organization of the proposed new system.

Clubs strengthen the community of the student body and allow students to explore new interests and meet new people. An overly complicated application process may be a detriment to the student body as a whole.

Although the application process is a step in the right direction toward organizing an occasionally chaotic endeavor, the laborious process strips the excitement of forming a club. The new club application process goes too far with formalities and impedes students’ creativity and clubs’ independence.

Students should continue to pursue their passions and advocate for the creation of new clubs regardless of the tedious process.