On Jan. 28 and 29, Moorpark College organizations got together at Raider Walk to represent what each is about at MC’s Club Days. Known for drawing in several students last semester, the groups hoped for a similar turnout.
With people already being apart of a club and current members trying to raise awareness, the realistic expectation of less people on the sign-up sheet for this semester’s clubs was a bit predicted. However, for those who had not been involved or with no real reason to join, first time Club Days attendees got a real kick out of movie posters, board games, and a molecule set up for the visuals.
“The most interesting thing about Club Days is that there is a variety,” 19-year-old Journalism major Sam Wulff said. “You can see all of your options and test them out.”
Chemistry Club
One person that brought on the sign-ups competition to his table was Chemistry Club member, John Ploense.
An interested crowd surrounded the table as he changed water from neutral to an acid, essentially creating acid rain, so there is no doubt that sign-ups piled up. Bringing back the memory of joining the after-school science club back in elementary school, this is one to sweep all science lovers.
With a group of students who share an interest in all things chemistry, 23 year-old chemical engineering major, Ploense, encourages anyone who wants to learn about chemistry to stop by and join them at the Chemistry Club monthly meeting this Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Physical Science building room 107. These gatherings consist of lab meetings and discussions, held on the last Wednesday of every month.
The Chemistry Club plans on having a speaker come on April 21, and a field trip to a nearby Amgen office is also in the works.
The Chemistry Club can be contacted by their email at [email protected] or by their Facebook page “Moorpark College Chemistry Club.”
Biology Club
The club was started last year and members were exposed to events such as workshops, as well as a visit to local tide pools. This semester, various plans are in place for the club, including events like scholarship workshops and science lab activities. The group also has plans to work with the Outdoors Club on events such as hikes.
The Biology club did not have any set meetings outlined at the time of publishing. However, they can be contacted at [email protected] for more information
Phi Theta Kappa
Another club out and about was the oldest, largest, and most prestigious honor society serving two-year colleges around the world. Phi Theta Kappa, founded in 1918, made its way into the community college campus realm in the 1960’s, when the explosive growth of junior colleges began.
Although this is a club that can only be entered through invitation with requirements of a 3.5 GPA or higher, it’s not too late for student to get GPAs up for next semester. With benefits such as PTK discounts on car insurance and scholarships to help get students through graduate school, it is recognized as one of the most honorable clubs for a reason.
“If one has a GPA of a 3.5 or higher and did not yet receive their invitation, they can contact the advisor of the club, Lee Ballestero, at [email protected],” said Club President Sam Fakour, a 21 year-old mechanical engineer major.
Invitations go through Jan. 31, with orientation Feb. 4 and March 4 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Further information can be found on their Facebook page, Phi Theta Kappa (Beta Sigma Rho Chapter).
Engineering Club
Another choice of clubs is the Engineering Club, which meets in the Physical Science Room 206 every Tuesday and Friday at 12 p.m.
Recently, the Engineering club has advanced to the VEX Championships that will take place this April. The VEX championship involves a sophisticated battle of skill and sport using car robots. Many other exciting projects are worked on year round.
The club meets Tuesdays and Fridays at 12 p.m. in the Physical Science building, room 207.
To learn more about the Engineering Club, you can contact them through their email [email protected].
National Student Nurses Association (MCSNA)
Students interested in nursing are encouraged to join the Moorpark College Student Nurses Association (MCSNA), a branch of the National Student Nurses Association, a program for those currently enrolled in associate, bachelors diploma, and generic nursing programs.
Since there are no educational requirements to join MCSNA, club volunteer representative Monique June invites Moorpark College students of all majors to get involved.
“The program stands for nursing, patient care, and educating the public,” June said.
The club meets the first Monday of every month from 12 p.m. -1 p.m. in the Health Science Building, room 102/103.
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NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness)
One of the newest clubs on campus this semester is the NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) Club, which is ready to educate and change the stigmas people have on mental illnesses.
NAMI isn’t a club exclusively for those who suffer from a mental illness. They accept anyone who has a deep passion and understanding for other humans.
“Mental health affects everyone,” said club president Gabriel Laria, 21 year-old psychology major.
The club will work closely with Sharon Manakas, coordinator for Student Health Services. Laria wants club members, as well as students in general, to know that the Student Health Center has a lot of resources for those who suffer from mental illnesses.
The club will have their meetings every second Wednesday of the month in HSS 140, although a time slot hasn’t been chosen yet.
MEOWS (Mathematical Enlightenment Objective Wisdom Society)
The purring is turning into MEOWS as the Mathematical Enlightenment Objective Wisdom Society is recruiting for the upcoming semester.
The Math Club takes on the moniker MEOWS to offer the student population a friendlier face when considering clubs. They offer events that are not math related, such as a monthly ‘MEOWVIE’ Night and group outings to lunch to engage a sense of community.
While the club has no requirements to join, they do hope you are “interested in math,” says Carol Fisher, a 22 year-old math major in her third year at Moorpark.
“MEOWS offers a lot of good ‘ins,'” Fisher continues. “If, for instance, you are a first semester math major, our faculty advisor is happy to give letters of recommendation [after establishing a presence in club].”
MEOWS meet every Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. in the Academic Center room 105. This month’s MEOWVIE is this Thursday January 30 at 9 p.m. in the Academic Center room 309. While their first screening is on the last Thursday of the month, future dates are tentative.
Spectrum
Not many clubs make as big an impression on club day as the Spectrum club. Their booth is easy to spot with a rainbow flag perched high and colorful condom wrappers piled on the table.
Two members sit behind an array of condoms, some of which are contained in a bowl. Behind them, three condoms are blown up like balloons with arrows available to pop them.
The club does not seek this attention, but often times welcome it. “We don’t want to do it, but we get people talking,” Karch said. “[When they talk] they learn about the issues… we go through on a daily basis.”
Spectrum accepts any allies and friends of the gay society, and seek to bring awareness about the gay community. Their first meeting was on Wednesday, Jan. 27 from 3:30 to 4:30 and will continue weekly after that.
International Student Organization
The International Student Organization is designed for a much smaller array of members. It is designed to help foreign and immigrant students adapt to life in the United States.
“They usually miss their country and [their] friends,” Club President Farshid Orak said. “We try to bridge the gap.”
The organization meets for an hour to talk about their classes and life in the states. After this, they go out for social activities. Recently, they went to Santa Monica after one meeting and watched a Raiders Football game.
They meet every first Thursday of the month at 4 p.m. The meetings are scheduled to last for one hour, but the location changes every month. For more information, Orak can be contacted at [email protected].
With a plethora of clubs to join in on and really find your passion and interest with a group of other people, you’ll never be alone on campus grounds.
Martyn Oneill, 20 year-old computer sciences major, expressed his most interesting thought on Club Day.
“The fact that [people] can actually have any club they want,” said Oneill.
If you have a club you would like to start or just feel like joining in on the programs Moorpark offers, clubs are considered a great way to get connected.
