Oxnard College experienced a rough week of meager participation as campus clubs attempted to stir student interest.
The OC Associated Student Government (ASG) hosted the spring semester club rush from Tuesday, Feb. 2 through Thursday, Feb. 4. A handful of clubs set up on campus each day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. but student involvement was quite low, according to ASG Vice President Deserie Mandujano.
“We definitely had weak participation,” said Mandujano. “I don’t know where students were this week, but I expected a greater turnout.”
ASG President Anna VanderStouwe was also displeased with the lack of student interest during club rush.
“It upsets me,” she said. “We’d like them to be more involved. We need them to not be shy.”
Though student participation was low, some clubs successfully attracted new members. The philosophy, culinary, M.E.Ch.A., and belly dancing clubs all witnessed the best turnout, according to Mandujano.
Oxnard College currently boasts over 20 clubs, ranging from the handymen of the automotive club to the dancing queens of the belly dancing club. Since last semester, four new clubs have been established hoping to attract more members. According to Mandujano, however, few clubs are considered active.
“In order to become an active club, you need a faculty advisor,” she said. “A lot of these clubs have the right amount of students that are necessary to maintain a club, but some just don’t have advisors.”
Mandujano also credits this problem with former students who previously led campus clubs.
“Many of the former presidents left or transferred without handing down their positions to someone else,” she said, “so no one is stepping up to help run these clubs.”
VanderStouwe also notes that not having a leader to recruit new students is among the reasons for poor student participation during club rush.
“It’s really unfortunate because students are missing out on some really amazing clubs,” she said.
Mandujano advises students to come out of their shells and take part in the diverse clubs offered at OC.
“This is the place to help out and start making a difference,” she said. “It’s good when you have something like a club to help you become more involved. I used to be just like those students. I never liked school and I would just go to class then go home. Now I realize that being a part of a club can help the student body. It allows me to get my ideas out.”
