Challenging but rewarding

Many options for extracurricular involvement on campus

Students of Science founder Brent Gali said grabbing student interest is one of the biggest challenges of running a student group. Clayton Winter

From the Soleflow Dance Club to Youth for Christ, University of Winnipeg students have a diverse selection of student groups. And with new groups being created each year, students can easily find their niche.

University of Winnipeg Students’ Association vice-president student services Kelly Ross said there are about 40 registered and a number of other unregistered student groups. She said the number of groups has remained stable over the past few years, but applications for new groups continue to come in weekly.

Three new student groups have been created this year, including Animal Enrichment Club, Positive Space Campaign and Students of Science Association (SOSA).

Brent Gali, science director for the UWSA and an avid member of several student groups, spearheaded the creation of SOSA. He said the process of starting a student group is rewarding but challenging.

In addition to mass e-mailing, countless meetings with administration and networking with other student groups, Gali said he found it difficult to gain student interest.

“I have to persuade them to think twice about it,” he said, adding that for many students academic demands take precedence over extracurricular involvement.

Contacting other student groups can also be difficult. Gali e-mailed various groups and only received a handful of replies – much of the contact information on the UWSA website is outdated. Ross said that the new info will be posted on the website once it is up and running.

Carly Sloshower, a fourth-year student and member of World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the Jewish Students’ Association, said that in her experience continuity is a major issue student groups face.

“The problem is we have such high turnover,” she said, adding that the majority of students involved in WUSC are graduating this year.

Ross agreed, explaining “a co-ordinator will graduate and won’t pass along the information to the next co-ordinator or things get lost in the shuffle.”

Despite the challenges student groups may encounter, Sloshower said that the benefits of being involved outweigh the costs.

“Grad schools, professional schools and employers look for people who are well-rounded,” she said.

Ross agreed that student groups have their perks.

“It is a great way for students to meet each other and work on projects that their formal education at the university can’t necessarily give them,” she said.

Published in Volume 64, Number 8 of The Uniter (October 22, 2009)

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