SGA Approves Four New Clubs Despite Financial Woes

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.

"Slavery Still Exists is intriguing because it is only the third social justice club that has been incorporated by SGA," O'Brien, the senate president, said. "It expands the club dynamic and I hope to see it thrive and I hope to see many other groups follow that example by establishing more advocacy groups and social justice groups on this campus, especially as it is in accordance with our Benedictine values."

The Saint Anselm chapter of Students in Free Enterprise, formed in 2007 in the business department, has been actively fundraising, donating, and competing, even without official club recognition. SIFE activities have included Pennies for Peace, micro-lending, and a winter coat collection program. The club recently began Junior Achievement Titan, a new program to educate high school students about business, economics, and ethics.

"The thing about SIFE is that it had existed through the business department prior to this year and had been very successful," O'Brien said. "It was only this year that they sought official recognition as a club. They did this in part to ensure funding in the future although they have been very successful in raising money since they began."

SIFE's recent accomplishments in a regional competition, as well as a national competition, has not escaped notice, either.

"SIFE recently won a regional competition," O'Brien said. "Their competency was well portrayed in their presentation to the senate, more than any other club I have seen since my time here at Saint Anselm."

The Club Softball team, advised by Meelia Center director Dan Forbes, will not be on the field until the fall, but is already actively fundraising. This semester, the team I organizing a book donation fundraiser, and in the fall, softball is planning to offer a clinic, as well as teaming up with club soccer to hold a NASCAR fundraiser.

"Softball Club wanted to be recognized because there wasn't any medium by which people could play organized league style softball on campus," O'Brien said. "The alternative would have been to go out into the city and do it but they plan to get organize and join a state collegiate league."

Following presentations before the full senate, each club was questioned by senators, and a vote was taken. The four clubs recognized this semester will be eligible for funding in 2011.

"These clubs diversify the offerings to students," O'Brien said. "They also present something that wasn't available to students before, which is always a good thing.