By Gionna Bean, Opinion Editor
K-Pop Dance Club at Staff Takeover event – Photo by aquinas.edu
Aquinas is always growing, especially in terms of clubs, officially known as Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). Some of the newer RSOs include the Arts and Craft Anime Club, run by senior Lizz Forsyth, and the Photography Club, run by junior Cristian Zacharias.
In order to create a new RSO, the student interested must go through the approval process with the Office of Student Activities and Orientation (SAO). Senior Scott Hopkins, president of K-Pop Dance Club, describes the process as very straight-forward.
“You have to go through an approval process with student activities that includes creating a roster of members, a logo, the mission statement, and finding your advisor,” Hopkins said.
The role of a faculty advisor is essential to the success of the RSO. According to the page on RSO’s on the Aquinas website, faculty advisors are there to “advise RSO’s to adhere to the Dominican Values in their words, programme and action” and “advise RSO’s to adhere to College policies, guidelines and the Student Code of Conduct.”
Having at least three people in the roster is another essential factor when forming an RSO, as this shows to SAO that there is significant interest in the club.
Hopkins gained a lot from starting the K-Pop Dance Club in October 2022. In his opinion, not only was the process quick and relatively easy, but he also finds great meaning in starting a club from the ground up.
“Creating a RSO not only creates great memories with your clubmates, but it also is an amazing learning experience,” said Hopkins. “We learned how to create a budget, recruit members to the club, manage time, connect with others in the community and teach others how to dance and have fun.”
K-Pop Dance Club performing – Photo by Scott Hopkins
The hardest part of owning an RSO is not the beginning, but the maintenance of the group. SAO provides each RSO with a budget, and the amount they receive depends on their need.
“A new club starts with $250 when they are just established,” said Hopkins. “After the first year of being a RSO, the club is able to write up a budget proposal and ask for as much money as they want, with justifications.”
Students still have even more ideas for RSO’s, including a thrifting club and filmmaking club.
“I would be interested in starting a film and filmmaking club if possible,” said freshman Demetrius Baxter Jr.
“I would like to start a thrifting club where it’s about exchanging thrift finds or items,” junior Savanah Hammock said.
Hammock thinks the process would be easy, because she already has a little insight from her friend, Lizz Forsyth, who started the Art and Craft Anime Club.
Junior Savanah Hammock at an Art and Craft Anime Club event – Photo by Gionna Bean
“I find it more hard to maintain a club, because my friend Lizzy is the president of arts and anime craft club and she basically runs it herself,” said Hammock.
Whether considering starting an RSO, or already running one, it’s clear Aquinas is constantly expanding its opportunities through the initiative of its students.
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