SGA Approves Four New Clubs Despite Financial Woes
SIFE, Slavery Still Exists, Mock Trial, Club Softball Now Official
By Lauren Chooljian and Gregory W. Wallace
The Student Government Association senate voted to officially recognize four new clubs this semester, conferring official status and eventual budgetary considerations on the student groups, two of which are already organized and operating.
Mock Trial, Slavery Still Exists, and Students in Free Enterprise were recognized on March 29, and Club Softball was approved earlier in the term.
Senate president Connor P. O'Brien '10, who is also vice president of SGA, says he is looking forward to contributions from these clubs.
"I am very excited that we have recognized several new clubs in the last month," O'Brien told the Crier. "It is a diverse group of clubs that has shown an ability for self-sustaining and that can appeal to a wide variety of students."
Although the Debate Team provides a forum for some students to argue their cases, the absence of a Mock Trial program has not escaped notice. Led by Alyssa Hatem '12 and Alex Puglisi '11, the club hopes to compete nationally and is advised by both a faculty member and American Bar Association lawyer.
"Mock Trial impressed me because they were very well organized and they saw a need for groups such as this on campus ," O'Brien said. "The fact of the matter is that there are a lot of students on this campus who are preparing to go to law school or are at the very least examining the possibility of a career in law, and the lack of a Mock Trial group which simulates what actually happens in the court room was I think a major flaw in the club dynamic."
Slavery Still Exists, a social justice organization led by Norma Dhanaraj '09, started as a proposal through the Think Big leadership program. Her project received initial funding through the program, but club status will allow the organization's advocacy to continue, even as Dhanaraj graduates.
"It means that all the efforts that we've been putting forth in promoting awareness and activism, now we can sustain those efforts as a club," Dhanaraj, outgoing leader of Slavery Still Exists said.
Mock Trial, Slavery Still Exists, and Students in Free Enterprise were recognized on March 29, and Club Softball was approved earlier in the term.
Senate president Connor P. O'Brien '10, who is also vice president of SGA, says he is looking forward to contributions from these clubs.
"I am very excited that we have recognized several new clubs in the last month," O'Brien told the Crier. "It is a diverse group of clubs that has shown an ability for self-sustaining and that can appeal to a wide variety of students."
Although the Debate Team provides a forum for some students to argue their cases, the absence of a Mock Trial program has not escaped notice. Led by Alyssa Hatem '12 and Alex Puglisi '11, the club hopes to compete nationally and is advised by both a faculty member and American Bar Association lawyer.
"Mock Trial impressed me because they were very well organized and they saw a need for groups such as this on campus ," O'Brien said. "The fact of the matter is that there are a lot of students on this campus who are preparing to go to law school or are at the very least examining the possibility of a career in law, and the lack of a Mock Trial group which simulates what actually happens in the court room was I think a major flaw in the club dynamic."
Slavery Still Exists, a social justice organization led by Norma Dhanaraj '09, started as a proposal through the Think Big leadership program. Her project received initial funding through the program, but club status will allow the organization's advocacy to continue, even as Dhanaraj graduates.
"It means that all the efforts that we've been putting forth in promoting awareness and activism, now we can sustain those efforts as a club," Dhanaraj, outgoing leader of Slavery Still Exists said.
This article was published on 4/17/09 in the News section.
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