It takes thousands of hours to master any given discipline.
But not everyone, especially Hillsdale students, can devote such time to their favorite hobbies.
Campus clubs and student organizations allow students to engage in the activities they love without forfeiting large amounts of time.
Sophomore Stevan Bennett founded Hillsdale College’s club baseball team this year.
“Whatever you love to do, make time for that,” Bennett said.
Bennett’s team has practiced a few times this year, and will probably only practice a couple more times more during the season. They will play ten games as part of a league in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Associate Dean of Women Rebekah Dell said students who lead clubs must solve conflicts, schedule events, and continue to find interested students who will help the club flourish.
“The clubs provide excellent opportunities for leadership and student development,” Dell said.
She said clubs deepen relationships and cultivate the love of rigor and of things for their own sake that is so pervasive at Hillsdale. Through this, both the leaders and the participants of a club will grow together through their mutual love for that activity.
Starting a club is difficult, but systematic.
According to Director of Student Activities Anthony Manno, an applicant must name the club and ensure that something similar or identical to it does not exist, and then they’ll begin the process to start the club.
The reward makes it worthwhile. If the organization doesn’t exist, create it, Bennett said. Creating a club is doable.
“You will be successful as long as you love what you’re doing,” he said. “And the people around you love what you’re doing.”
How to start a campus club
- Identify the purpose of the club, any association with a regional or national organization, and its alignment with the college’s mission and Honor Code.
- Write bylaws, find faculty advisor, and fill the offices of president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
- Bring the application to Dean of Women Diane Philipp, if a federal club, or Director of Recreational Sports Bradley Kocher, if a sports club.
- Philipp or Kocher decide if the club meets the following criteria:
Appeals to the student body
Follows the college’s purpose
Doesn’t have a similar club on campus
- The founder then presents the club to the Student Federation to demonstrate the capability of the board and the feasibility of the club.
- If approved, the organization receives club status and startup money.
