By CHELSEA NAPPER
Living on a college campus doesn’t have to mean all work and no play. For residents and commuters alike, the Institute of American Indian Arts holds countless possibilities for self-expression and social interaction outside the classroom.
Twenty clubs on campus offer IAIA’s diverse student population many opportunities to further explore their creative interests, to pursue relaxing hobbies, and to socialize with the like-minded.
Find Your Club, Find Your Niche
Whether your interests lie in furthering your craft skills outside the classroom or picking up on hobbies during club gatherings, or even just getting together with friends and relaxing before a television screening of your favorite anime, odds are there is a club with exactly your interests awaiting your membership.
IAIA’s Museum Club holds submissions for various works of art forms, Video Game Club has gaming tournaments, and Music Club holds jam sessions and performances.
These are just a few of the many activities available to students in club settings. Other clubs represent the following interests:
- Indigenous Liberal Studies
- Movie
- Archery
- Indigenous Queers Plus (IQ+)
- Women’s Society
- Boxing
- Green Tree Society
- Bead/Sewing
- Fashion Design
- Zumba
- Delta Sigma Nu
- Disc Golf
- Stickball
- Student Success
- Native American Film
- Creating Comics
- Sculpture
It’s never too late in the semester to join a club, according to Nocona Burgess, IAIA student activities coordinator.
Most information about club meetings and events can be found right there in your school email inbox, as both Burgess and Paige Hannan””Associated Student Government secretary””send out alerts directly from club leadership on upcoming club events.
According to Burgess, past clubs have run activity blogs. One such blog was run by a hamburger tasting club which took its members all over New Mexico to taste burgers and write about their experiences. Should any club desire to start up their own blog, the Chronicle is open to hosting similar club blogs on its website. Interested? Contact Chronicle staff at [email protected].
Club Spotlight
One club which meets regularly on campus is IAIA’s music club, of which Hannan is the vice-president.
“We’re always looking to have new people,” Hannan explains, as the club is open to people of all skill levels. “We try to be super open. All our jams are open to people to come in and just sit and watch or come in a vibe with us.
The Music Club meets in the CLE conference room on Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m., and holds jam sessions Saturdays and Sundays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the auditorium.
“We like to have performances in the Dome,” she said. “They do lights and they do a whole video for us.”
Starting Your Own Club at IAIA
During the first three weeks of every semester, according to Burgess, applications are available for students looking to form their own clubs here at IAIA.
A minimum of four students is required for a club to be approved, as these students will serve as the club leadership until the club has enough members to hold officer elections, he said. Also required is a completed application and at least one staff or faculty sponsor, although students are recommended to find two sponsors.
Burgess explained that once the applications are submitted, members of the Associated Student Government will go through them and approve or deny them, as ASG works very closely with student clubs throughout the academic year.
In fulfillment of this partnership, at least one member from each club is required to attend every ASG meeting. Three unexcused club absences will result in that club’s accounts being frozen, according to Burgess.
Once a club is approved and given the go-ahead to begin recruiting and planning events, the club is given $200 to get these operations up and running. This small grant is for new clubs only, as returning clubs are expected to have been fundraising to raise the funds they find necessary to conduct club business, Burgess said.
All clubs are also required to keep tight record of their funds, and may be subject to audit.
Community Service and Fundraising
All clubs are also required to complete 10 hours of community service, as IAIA is committed to building a strong sense of community on campus in addition to a positive public image through community outreach.
Burgess suggests that clubs spend a good portion of these service hours off campus, thereby establishing relationships with members of the surrounding community.
Clubs are expected to plan and execute their own fundraising activities to provide for their financial needs. Depending on the plans of the club leadership and members, fundraising could mean life or death for their success.
For more information about clubs or starting your own, contact Nocona Burgess at [email protected] or Paige Hannan at [email protected].
751views
