Twenty of Algonquin’s student-run clubs were represented during the bi-annual clubs day held in the Student Commons on Jan. 20.
Clubs ranging in interests from politics to yoga were on display to try and engage the student body into enlisting into the after school activities.
Marleigh Cheaney, a third-year advertising and marketing student, along with Patrick Newell, the Clubs and Communities coordinator, oversaw the event.
Occurring at the beginning of each semester since 2013, the event’s purpose is to help spread the word of Algonquin’s over 100 existing clubs spread across their three Ontario campuses. It also encourages students to take the plunge and either join one or create one themselves. Students can also start a club at any time during their studies.
One of those new clubs includes the Yoga Club, spearheaded by first-year business management entrepreneurship student Ade Vastitr.
“I have an opportunity to learn while in school,” said Vastitr.
Already a certified yoga instructor. With over 500 hours of experience, Vastitr hopes that the club, in unison with her studies, will be a fast track to opening a yoga business of her own. The club, though in its infancy, boasts almost 60 members on its Facebook page and a hefty sign-up list. Vastitr encourages those from all skill levels who are interested in yoga or meditation to attend.
Another relatively new club on the block was the Revolutionary Student Movement. The plethora of hammer-and-sickle logos at the RSM’s booth didn’t stop students from approaching and asking questions about the club that was one of the driving forces behind the initiation of the U-Pass, due in the fall of 2015.
“The club is very important to me,” said Brendan Copegog, currently performing academic upgrading. Copegog is also impressed by the Student Association’s handling of a political club.
“We’ve had no trouble with the S.A. so far,” said Copegog. “We didn’t want our politics to get watered down. We didn’t want to change for the S.A. We’re really happy to be able to get our ideas across.”
Another club with a strong presence, directly adjacent, was the Queer Student Alliance.
The club, having been around for approximately seven years, is there for any member of the Algonquin LGBTQ community to have a space to converse with likeminded individuals, and even allies who have questions or want to show their support.
Luka Roderique, currently volunteering for the QSA and returning as a second year student in massage therapy in 2015, and Zachary Gifford, a first-year community studies student, were assisting with duties at the booth. Roderique said that because of short programs, students are leaving after one or two years. “Makes it really hard to organize,” said Roderique.
Despite this, the QSA are launching a petition to have a safe space, not just an office, as well as other various events to interact with members and allies alike.
To research more about the plethora of clubs available to join on campus, or to fill a void with a new club, visit the Clubs and Communities page on the Student Associations’ website at http://www.algonquinsa.com.