Students, Faculty Question Need for Multitude of Clubs

While club involvement is an important part of extracurricular life at Exeter, some faculty and students have raised questions about the downsides of pressure on students to get involved.

The sheer number of student organizations with tables set up at Club Night and ESSO Interest Night also calls into question the need for so many clubs on campus. A rapid rise in the creation of new clubs often leads to existing clubs becoming dormant or inactive, as well as competition between clubs with similar interests. Another common criticism of Exeter’s club culture is that students only sign up for clubs in order to boost their college applications.

“I think that this influx of clubs helps everyone locate a group that shares their same interests, and allows students to find new passions as well,”

The number of active clubs at Exeter is currently slightly over 150, excluding ESSO clubs. Joanne Lembo, the Director of Student Activities, noted that the number of clubs fluctuates depending on the year.

“Club culture ebbs and flows, some years we have more and some years less. There was a bit of a new club boom, however, that will be offset by clubs that are no longer active,” she said.

Senior Julia Goydan, one of the Model United Nations (MUN) leaders, believed that the size and diversity of Exeter’s clubs accommodated a wide range of student interests. “I think that this influx of clubs helps everyone locate a group that shares their same interests, and allows students to find new passions as well,” she said. 

Upper Isadora Kron, cohead of multiple clubs including The Feminist Union, agreed, saying, “There are a lot of clubs that give you an opportunity that you might not be able to have outside of Exeter. So it’s an overall positive thing.” Goydan also believes that the number of new clubs doesn’t diminish the reputation of established club leaders. “I think there is something really unique about each club that being a club leader of any club is special, and shows a student’s dedicated interest in a certain niche,” she said.

Upper Araaish Paul, cohead of Subcontinent Society, believes that the club culture will likely self-regulate. “While an influx of new clubs can be chaotic and convoluted, student interest will determine the sustainability of these clubs in the long run,” he commented. Goydan also recognized the problem of inactive clubs but proposed a solution. “Perhaps if the application to start a club were more rigorous, there would be a higher number of active organizations on campus,” she said.

Upper Gracie Goodwin, who recently became cohead of ESSO Classroom Helpers, felt that the application process to become co-head should more accurately reflect the responsibility of the position. “It’s definitely not easy to be a club head, but it’s pretty easy to become one,” she said. Goodwin also noted that her application process was especially streamlined, as she was one of three active club members at the end of last year.

The current application process for new clubs is relatively simple: any student with a faculty advisor can apply through an online form, provided they are not seniors. If their club status is granted, these groups can then apply for funding from the school. “I think it’s a good thing that students are able to start their own clubs,” Paul said. “Not only does this ability lead to students taking an initiative, but it also allows for a diverse group of clubs that accurately reflect the interests of our Exeter community.”

However, club coordinators do regulate new club proposals that appear similar to existing ones. Elizabeth Reyes, Director of Service Learning and ESSO coordinator, mentioned a recent example in which a student proposed a new club that would support Project Linus, a non-profit that collects knitted blankets to children in need. Noticing the similarities between this proposal and the already existing ESSO knitting club, Reyes connected the student with the club head, who are now working together on the project.

The number of ESSO clubs has steadily decreased over the past five years. ESSO participation peaked the 2011 and 2013 school years, with 99 ESSO opportunities presented in the sign-up sheet and 85 ongoing clubs in 2010-11. Student participation peaked in the 2013-14 school year with 739 members of ESSO clubs, now down to 639 in the 2016-17 school year.  According to numbers from the ESSO office, student involvement consistently wanes throughout the year, being highest in the fall and lowest in the spring.

The declining number of ESSO clubs is result of the efforts of ESSO coordinators. Reyes believes decreasing the overall number will increase student investment and lead to less conflict between clubs. “More is not always better,” she said. “We want less competition and more collaboration.”

Inactive clubs often disappear on their own over time. “If club participation decreases over the course of the year, by spring term, we won’t bother recruiting new club heads,” Reyes said. “It just signifies that there was no longer a need for this club.”

Much of the criticism directed at Exeter’s club culture stems from the underlying incentives that drive some students to join clubs. Especially at Exeter, students face immense pressure to get into good colleges, and having a well-rounded extracurricular resumé can seem like an advantage. “Some people think that to be model Exonians they have to overwork themselves for clubs,” Raymond Alvarez-Adorno, cohead of ITXC and Young Brothers Society (YBS), said. “You can do a few clubs and be fine if you work hard. People will see if you are dedicated to what you do.” Kron, on the other hand, said, “I don’t think that the leadership positions are because of college applications. These people are taking them because they are really passionate about what they’re doing.”

Lembo agreed that while each student may have their own incentive for getting involved, the majority of students really are passionate about what they so. “Students begin clubs for all different reasons,” she said. “While there are a small minority that may do it for colleges, the majority are involved because they love connecting with others with similar interest.”