STUDENT ACTIVITIES INCREASE AT MMC : Trend Shows Explosive Growth of Student Involvement

The Student Government Association and the office of Student Activities are proud to announce the highest number of clubs in MMC history. Since the Fall of 2004 there has been nearly a 200% growth in student clubs and organizations at the college.

Molly Workman the Graduate Assistant in Student Activities comments on the club growth stating, “It means more students are getting involved and taking responsibility for their growth outside the classroom.” Clubs enhance the learning environment at MMC and are integral to the necessary social integration for college students. Workman states, “Clubs give students the opportunity to learn about things that they can’t necessarily learn inside the classroom room: Event planning; working with others; and meeting deadlines. It also takes the concepts you’re learning to a different level.” Alexandra Kruger, President of Art Fusion and RA states, “Activity in clubs helps increase school pride and school commitment, which then also increases retention. I believe that if you are invested in a club, then you are more likely to both enjoy the school and stay in the school. Also, it creates school pride because your activity interacting and participating in school functions.”

Although the school has seen an exceptional growth in student involvement, the funding has not adequately increased to match the growth. Over the last 4 years, the student activity allocation has not risen above $100,000 even though the clubs have doubled. Workman comments, “I would hope for a continued growth in clubs but without proper funding, staffing and student initiative it might not happen.” Zach Harrell SGA Treasurer states that every semester SGA gets over 30,000 dollars in fund requests, he comments “Its funny because we barely have over 10,000 dollars for the entire year.” The current situation is dire, and many clubs aren’t able to execute the events they need, or have to spend out of pocket in order to do so

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This Fall, the Student Government Association conducted a Club Questionnaire to ask clubs what they needed, and the response was overwhelmingly unanimous, money. Currently the Student Government Association along with the MMC Core Council is developing a proposal to increase the amount of money clubs get at Marymount Manhattan College. The proposal will be presented to administration officials and hopefully will be enacted sometime next year. Kevin Maleike President of the Residence Hall Council and member of the MMC Core Council states, “I just hope we can make a difference by giving clubs the adequate resources they need to help build community at the college.” ”