“I have work right after school,” said Alison Wenke, 20, an education major. “I don’t have it in my schedule to stay after school.”
Like many other colleges students who juggle work and study, Wenke said she rarely has time to stay on campus for extracurricular activities. What she and the others students are missing out on are opportunities to connect, grow, and have another insert for their resume.
“The hardest and most challenging part of my job is trying to get students involved,” said Amy Williams-Gaudioso, director of Campus Life, whose main goal is to steer students towards more involvement.
To get the word out about clubs and organizations, Amy and her Campus Life staff issue a monthly Student Information Service (SIS) flier that lists club meetings, publish information on delaGate and simply talk to students in the hallways.
“I try to look at what other colleges are doing to get their students interested in clubs,” said Williams-Gaudioso. “ I meet with student groups to discuss leadership strategies and other program ideas.”
The clubs at the college are diverse and geared towards students’ academic success, majors and interests like WDCR (the college’s radio station), Phi Theta Kappa and the Architecture Club.
Professor Larry Woodward, who teaches architecture and construction technology on campus, is the faculty moderator for the Architecture Club.
The club, which has been around for 20 years, has been run by Woodward for the past 15 years.
“Our main purpose is to focus on anything and everything that has to do with architecture,” Woodward said.
Woodward said they normally meet once a week at the students’ convenience and primarily focus on buildings in and around the area.
This semester, Woodward said, the club looks forward to walking only a few steps away to examine the new S.T.E.M. Complex.
It is up to the students to think of new and exciting adventures for the semester, Woodward said, and added that meeting duration is at the students discretion.
Last semester one of the main issues that were discussed in the club, according to Woodward, was going “green” with buildings.
Woodward said the extent of trying to get students to join the club was mainly done through a sign-up booth at the college’s Campus Life EXPO and through word of mouth.
“If students do not step up, then the club doesn’t work,” Woodward said. “It’s up to the students to make a club successful.”
Both Woodward and Williams-Gaudioso agreed that getting involved in clubs not only helps boost one’s college application, but also helps to build one’s character.
“The best part of my job is seeing the club leaders grow and develop their leadership styles,” Williams-Gaudioso said.
For more information on clubs visit Campus Life office Room 2518.
