As school starts back up again, students have the chance to become involved in student organizations once again. But, like every year, there is always a fresh batch of clubs to choose from.
This Tuesday, the UA Mall was lined with booths belonging to just a small fraction of the large number of clubs available for students to dive into. The Student Involvement Fair is an annual event that showcases many student clubs and encourages them to join.
“I’m always excited to hear about new clubs coming to our campus,” said Jordan Allison, ASUA Executive Vice President. “So far, I’ve heard of some awesome organizations on their way. Notably, an organization that promotes LGBTQ awareness in STEM fields, a restart of UA’s chapter of To Write Love on Her Arms and an organization that brings together computer and ‘hacker’ enthusiasts.”
These are just a few of the new clubs that students can immerse themselves in on top of the nearly 600 student organizations already in place at the UA. Whether students are looking to broaden their horizons and try their hand at something new or meet some like-minded people, there is something for everyone.
“College is the perfect arena for young people to feel empowered enough to create a paradigm change,” said Johnny Tran, the Harry Potter Alliance Organizer at the UA. “There are many communities, much like our club, that are here to help facilitate that process.”
The UA’s chapter of the international non-profit organization aims to create “positive social change by bringing Harry Potter fans together,” Tran said. “Our ultimate goal is to destroy real-world dark magic and Horcruxes like poverty, inequality, homophobia, illiteracy, etc. In other words, we advocate for civic engagement through the lens of Harry Potter and other fandoms.”
Like the Harry Potter Alliance, students have carved out specialty niches that can appeal to a wide variety of students’ interests all over campus.
Some have some very particular interests.
“A normal life,” reads the official description for the short-lived yet highly passionate Zombie Invasion Preparation Club. “That was all we ever wanted … until they came. They took everything from us.” The epitome of the college experience is being able to sit down over weekly ice cream and discuss the proper protocol and procedure of fending off an inevitable zombie attack. Even better is having a group of friends to do it with.
“I started this club as a simple jest, a ruse to take my mind off things,” said Matthew Lee, president of the Zombie Invasion Preparation Club.
While the fact remains that clubs come and go, there will always be a wide variety of them for students to get involved with.
“Club recognition and renewal will occur beginning next week, Sept. 2 through Sept. 12,” Allison said. “At this time, clubs will be able to renew their recognition through ASUA and register any new organizations.”
A new wave of clubs and opportunities will soon become part of the UA.
“I am ecstatic to work with our clubs and organizations this year,” Allison said, “and watch our university students become engaged and involved.”
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