By Caitlin McLean
Clubs can be some of the best parts of Georgetown University campus life, especially as a new student. With so many different clubs students are almost guaranteed to find a place that is best for them. Clubs and club culture, however, can also be intimidating. But do not worry; joining clubs is easier than you think.
What do people mean by club culture?
Club culture can be daunting as a new student, but really it’s not as scary as it sounds. While it is true that social life on campus revolves heavily around clubs, with many students forming their identity on campus around the clubs they join, the clubs you are in will not make or break your experience on campus.
Is it hard to get into clubs?
You may have heard that some Georgetown clubs have acceptance rates lower than the university itself. While it is true that there are some clubs that require applications and even interviews, like the student-run business The Corp, the Georgetown University Student Federal Credit Union and some of the investing clubs, not every club requires an application. You can join many clubs just by going to their first meeting and adding your name to their email list.
How do I join a club/find out about clubs?
The best way to learn about clubs is to attend the Council of Advisory Boards (CAB) Fair on September 10. CAB Fair is essentially a club tabling event where all Georgetown clubs and organizations set up displays on Healy and Copley lawns. It is a great place to learn more about the clubs opportunities there are at Georgetown, meet some people in the clubs you may want to join and put your name down on emailing lists, which allows you to know when and where clubs meet.
If you miss the CAB Fair, don’t worry. Many clubs also have Instagram accounts where they share information about their first meetings open to new members. Additionally, many clubs will post flyers around campus, so there are plenty of opportunities to receive information about various clubs.
What type of clubs are there?
There are clubs for everyone on campus and for any interest including athletic clubs, cultural clubs, media clubs and advocacy clubs.
The following are just some of the clubs on campus:
GU Pride: GU Pride is the official club on campus devoted to supporting members of the LGBTQ community. GU Pride hosts many social events throughout the year and organizes groups of students to attend protests downtown.
Black Student Alliance (BSA): For over 50 years the BSA has amplified the experiences of Black students on campus. The BSA was originally founded to increase the number of Black students on campus and to provide a safe space for students of color.
Asian American Student Association (AASA): The AASA celebrates students of Asian and Pacific Islander American heritage by hosting social and cultural events throughout the year.
Georgetown Renewable Energy Environment Network (GREEN): If you are passionate about the environment then GREEN is a great club for you. On campus, GREEN is known for climate change advocacy ranging from composting at the campus farmers market to organizing student groups to attend climate protests downtown.
H*yas for Choice (HFC): While not officially recognized by the university HFC is Georgetown’s primary reproductive rights advocacy group on campus. Additionally, the club also distributes contraceptives throughout the year including emergency contraception.
Hoya Blue: Hoya Blue fills the student section at all sporting events, especially the soccer and basketball games. Georgetown has an animated school spirit, and this club is one of the best ways to channel your own.
The Georgetown University Grilling Society (GUGS): Every Friday, GUGS sets up grills on Copley Lawn next to Red Square to sell hamburgers, vegan burgers and hot dogs. No grilling experience is needed to join this club.
Georgetown University Student Association (GUSA): GUSA is the student government on campus. Split up into an executive and senate, you can run to represent your class or join advocacy groups to pressure the administration to meet student demands. A fun fact about GUSA is that President Bill Clinton lost the GUSA presidential election when he attended Georgetown, but obviously things worked out for him.
Do I need to join a club?
Do not worry if you don’t join a club. While there can be a lot of pressure about joining clubs, everyone is on their own path and you will find your own community on campus, whether you are in a club or not.
You can also always choose to join clubs in the spring, instead of the fall. Many clubs that require applications take them in the spring semester and many clubs that do not require applications will accept new members. There is even a spring CAB Fair just like the one in the fall.
No matter what you decide to do just remember that there is a path for you and you will find your place on campus!
