USC Clubs Week 2021: A successful hybrid model that brought students together
The USC’s annual Clubs Week was held at the end of September and adopted a hybrid model to allow students to connect with new campus communities both in person and online. USC Clubs Week is an opportunity for the clubs at Western University to showcase their organization to garner attention and club members. It’s an exciting time for students to get involved within the campus community.
Due to COVID-19 regulations, Clubs Week asked students to provide proof of vaccination and Government ID in order to be admitted. Students also had to physically distance themselves and wear masks. Clubs Week offered both an in-person component and an online component for its students to minimize any risk associated with doing indoor in-person activities.
USC Clubs had the opportunity to sign up for one day in the week to be featured in the UCC’s Mustang Lounge and spend the rest of the week promoting themselves online. Despite COVID-19 restrictions, Clubs Week came out to be a successful event that allowed many students to attend and partake in the event this year.
The USC Clubs System offers an array of clubs that are student-led. From cultural clubs such as the Black Students Association to volunteer-led clubs that are creative, academic, and more. Students can find any club that fits their niche and hobbies while meeting new people and making lasting connections. If students are interested in something outside of the clubs that are currently offered, they can apply to ratify a new club for the 2022-2033 school year by November 15, 2021.
“There is a boost for the club during Clubs Week and it’s good [when]students have the intention of joining, so it is nice having that opportunity,” said the BSA Co-President about her club’s week experience. Many executives for clubs have expressed similar sentiments about Clubs Week, where the opportunity to gain more members allows their organization to grow and succeed. Being physically present this year allowed clubs to garner attention that would otherwise not be given virtually while still maintaining safety protocols.
“Being in person has been super nice. Meeting people, talking to people, and making friends—even beside our table. Coming here today and getting to talk to Black students and a lot of first and second years [was the highlight of my Clubs Week],” said the BSA Co-President.
“In first year I had no idea we had this many clubs and you see them bring in the community altogether, which is cool,” Fashion and Lifestyle Society’s Executive Sponsorship commented. She also commented on her favourite part of Clubs Week, which was “how lively it is, which is nice, and it is [the] first big back-to-school event. The normality feels nice.”
According to some students, the normality that Clubs Week offered helped students feel less isolated from school events. New protocols were in place due to Ontario’s COVID-19 regulations, but safety was the number one priority for the USC in order to have a successful event on campus.
Students are still able to join clubs and get involved by visiting the USC website, where they can find the clubs they wish to join and pay their membership fees all in one place. The deadline to pay for club memberships is February 2022.
If you have experienced or witnessed a USC Club violating Clubs Policy, you can anonymously report the offending club here.
