Attention West Campus Students: You Can Now Create Clubs

West Campus students can now create clubs after the school got approval this past July to be deemed “a campus” by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commision on Colleges.

In previous years, West Campus students who wanted to create clubs had to join existing organizations at other Miami Dade College campuses. But when the school opened its six-story parking structure in January, it cleared the last hurdle to make them eligible to seek campus status, according to West Campus Executive Director Ana DeMahy. 

And students are taking full advantage.

This fall, nearly 10 organizations officially registered with the Student Life Department. They range from honor societies to psychology and poetry clubs.

“We were very proud and happy to announce that students can now open clubs,” said Elijah Pestana, who is a member of student government and president of the Dialogues for Democracy organization. “Clubs on campus are one of the many ways the West Campus has made our students more involved.”

To form a club, students need at least five members who are registered for a minimum of six credits in the semester they are applying for membership and an adviser willing to sponsor the club. The organization is responsible for creating a constitution.    

Dialogues for Democracy’s goal is to promote democracy and equality through a series of specially hosted panels. The organization has scheduled a panel focused on religion and faith on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. in Room 1102. It will feature different religious leaders from the community.

Students say the idea of having clubs on campus has sparked a greater sense of camaraderie at West Campus. Several new organizations are in the works for the spring semester. Included among them are a medical club, which will invite guests speakers to talk about  several health related topics as well as inform the community about  diseases and important vaccinations. The new proposals also include a drama club; a literary club that hopes to produce a magazine and an organization  that  wants to educate people about LGBTQ+ topics.

“Creating this club has been a unique adventure. Meetings with the adviser, writing the constitution, promoting the club, welcoming new members, every step felt as if I was laying the foundation for something bigger than me,” said Maria Gutierrez, president of the psychology club. “This leadership role requires a great amount of commitment, passion and drive to encourage long-term development of the club and its members and the achievement of our goals. It’s an honor to lead and motivate this club, ensuring that every member feels valuable, inspired, and connected to each other.”

Staff writer Camilla Sposito contributed to this article.

For more information about how to create or join an existing club at West Campus, contact Student Life Director Shamona McFadden at 305-237-8904 or at smcfadde@mdc.edu.