Attending college brings many new aspects to a student’s life, including independence and responsibility. As an incoming student, you may find yourself trying to engage in a very new social atmosphere. While transitioning from a Moroccan to an American style of education, many students join clubs and organizations that fit their individual interests, needs, and goals. Clubs are without a doubt, the most exciting part of university life. Moreover, they bring life to campus and enhance the sense of community while magnifying and consolidating students’ inner potential. In that sense, extracurricular activities provide a setting for involvement and interaction with others, thus leading to increased learning and enhanced development.
Clubs helped me meet different people and gave me the opportunity to release stress from exams
A sophomore student
Since 1995, Al Akhawayn University clubs have always had a positive and lifting impact on both its students and on the socio-economical state of the Ifrane Region. Under the supervision of both the:
- Students Activities Office that is responsible for coordinating and funding the clubs.
- Student Leadership Council which sets a common ground for collaboration and cooperation among the different student organizations.
The diversity and enthusiasm of the different clubs led to wonderful achievements. Additionally, the burning flame of campus involvement has kept some of its clubs active for more than 25 years.
Clubs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of clubs found themselves restricted and unable to resume their activities. The latter was due to their heavy reliance on out of campus possibilities and to the nature of their work. In fact, the situation has become more problematic and worrying for clubs’ active members, as they are afraid it would affect the incoming cohort. Nevertheless, other “lucky” clubs tried their best to adapt to the current situation by having hybrid meetings through MS Teams and online discussions in order to include AUI’s online community.
After many discussions with executives to allow hikes. They categorically refused and said that: if the club wants to organize a hike, it should be done during that period of 2h30 (which is impossible)
Taha Messaoudi, President of the Extreme Sports Association
Since the beginning of Fall 2020, one can easily notice the different “stands” in front of Building 3, usually, accompanied by loud music, sign-up sheets, and Facebook lives/posts. In fact, newcomers and few old students are the ones taking the initiative of either creating different new clubs or reviving old ones such as:
- Technology: Unmanned Aerial Vehicals (UAV).
- Art: Photography Club, Drama Club and DJ Club
- Culture: Italian, German and Tamazight Club
The number of students that are stepping up to make an impact on campus life is highly increasing. The latter only fuels the community with pride. However, this situation sheds the light upon one crucial problem, aren’t too many clubs hindering the quality of student engagement in AUI?
Creating new clubs but at what cost?
The club creation process has radically changed over the years. At the very beginning, students were required to, at least,t complete 30 credits -meaning one full academic year- in order to become a board member of a club. However, given the current circumstances, the “somehow” bureaucratic procedure flipped to become more open and non-complex with respect to document preparation; choice of advisor and executives’ approval.
It is neither sustainable nor possible to create and to have multiple clubs doing the exact same types of events (movie screenings for example), or carrying out similar mission statements. Although the concept of competition can act as a beacon of creativity, clubs should be more open to the possibility and doability of collaborations. Partnerships and even the concept of “merging two clubs” should be encouraged. Especially, if the club’s purpose and objectives fall under the same umbrella. Working on the uniqueness of a club takes time, energy, and loyal active members. Furthermore, the utmost purpose of a club is to perdure, and to leave an impact on its members, not to vanish after one semester/ year because of lack of motivation, early disorganization, or the lack of ahead planning.
A club creation shouldn’t be initiated just to…well “create a club”. Innovation, Creativity, and Added Value are the 3 essential aspects when it comes to initiating a new student organization
Aiman Mrizig, President of the Student Leadership Council (SLC)
Finally, having lots of student organizations is without a doubt a brilliant idea that will certainly generate fruitful future outcomes. However, it must be well assessed. Student must be encouraged to create clubs with new ideas, new missions, and new projects. In addition, club boards should have a clear line of reasoning and a sustainable action plan to grow and perpetuate within the university. Clubs must constantly self-examine, improve, grow, and evolve. Our university regorges of talented and innovative human resources that can carry on past projects with efficiency and sustainability.
