After recognizing problems occurring with the club proposal process, Mike Tarjan, assistant principal of student activities, had a discussion with a student committee of class board liaisons in December, which led to the alteration of the club proposal process. The new process has been in effect since the start of second semester.

“I [was] the only person approving [the creation of a club],” said Tarjan. “Kids could come in whenever they want throughout the year.

“It was kind of like a revolving door,” said Tarjan. “I felt like it wasn’t giving kids enough time to really learn about all of our clubs.” 

Students who want to start a club are required to meet with Tarjan as well as read and complete a six-page packet containing guidelines and expectations, questions about their proposed club, important application information and deadline dates. 

Students are also required to present their proposal to a student committee of members from class boards, SA Board, and either Leadership Council or the Principal’s Advisory Board, depending on the club that is being proposed. Students then need to get at least 20 signatures of prospective members. The committee then makes a recommendation on the proposal to Tarjan and activities coordinator Danielle Fluegge, who ultimately decide if the club will be created. 

College counselor David Boyle assumes there is a perception among students that starting a club demonstrates initiative and leadership on their college application, Boyle said.

“It might, but I do know that it’s not absolutely necessary that a student do that,” said Boyle. “There are many other ways to show leadership, to show initiative.”

Laura George, owner of Laura George Consulting, a local business that offers college planning, said in a phone interview that she encourages students to pursue genuine interests when creating clubs.

“I don’t ever like to encourage students to do something only because they think a college expects it of them or it will look better on their application,” said George. “That’s really not what colleges are looking for. They are really looking for students to pursue authentic interests in an authentic and genuine way.”

Scott Siegel, senior associate director of admissions at Indiana University, said in a video conference that colleges consider what students put down on their applications at face value.

“If they started a club or an organization, that’s certainly something that we would anticipate is done for the right reasons, not to game the system or something like that in terms of the admissions process,” Siegel said.

According to Tarjan, the new club proposal process makes sure students are creating a club because they are passionate about something and want to make a difference.

“Kids that come into my office that have ideas to do something they’re passionate about … have a better story than someone who just comes in to start a club to say they started a club and put it on their college resume,” Tarjan said.