UVU Clubs

Clubs are a common occurrence on a university campus, and this one is certainly no exception. The clubs website – found at www.UVU.edu/Clubs – lists over 120 different clubs in ten different categories: academic and political; pre-professional; social awareness; service; performing arts and media; ethnic and cultural; religious; sports; social; and athletics/recreational.


PERFORMING ARTS/MEDIA

These clubs focus on various activities, media and hobbies. The UVU Ballroom Connection meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in PE154 to further their goals of creating “a network of ballroom dancers and to better meet the needs of those dancers.” The Musicians Club helps musicians network and “get involved with the music industry.” Other clubs cover digital animation/gaming, hip hop, photography, salsa dancing and even improv comedy.


ETHNIC/CULTURAL

Focusing on students’ heritage and backgrounds, clubs like the African Club, Japan Club, or the Latin American Club aim to help integrate students from different ethnic backgrounds into university life, as well as educate all students about different cultures. Other clubs, like the French Club, German Club or Russian Club, also work to educate about different cultures, in addition to helping language students get practical experience with conversation. In addition, clubs like the Black Student Union and the Muslim Student Association aim to do all of the above.


PRE-PROFESSIONAL

These clubs work with students who are aiming at beginning careers in specific fields. Pre-chiropractic, dental, law, medical, pharmacy, physical therapy and others are available. There are also clubs specifically for women, including the Science Association of Women, Women In Technology and the Women’s Pre-Law Forum. Academic societies, like Phi Beta Lambda and Phi Theta Kappa, also work to assist students with their professional goals.


SOCIAL

This diverse group of clubs focuses on specific hobbies and interests. For example, the Country Dancing Club hosts a country dance (with lessons) every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at The Center (500 North Freedom Blvd. in Provo). Chris Bryce, the president of the Anime Club, said their group is “where people that love and enjoy Japanese animation [can] gather.” They will be hosting weekly meetings with screenings of popular anime, as well as the occasional costume roleplay (cosplay).


SPORTS

Sports clubs work to compete with other schools’ teams, encourage skill development and plain ol’ proliferation of activity. Sports include cycling, tennis, men’s and women’s rugby and more. The Men’s Hockey Club is looking for a new adviser, so any faculty reading this…


SOCIAL AWARENESS

These clubs have some overlap with some of the political clubs, but are more specific and cultural than strictly political. The Gun & Knife Club, according to their entry, “[promotes] knowledge, understanding and safe use of firearms and knives.”  Spectrum, formerly known as the Gay/Straight Alliance is, according to president Casey Wilson, “a club that is trying to break down the social barriers between different groups, regardless of their background and/or sexual orientation; as well as raise awareness of LGBT [lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered] issues in the community.”


SERVICE

Service clubs work to help students find opportunities to engage with and contribute to their community. National service organizations, like the American Red Cross, Impact International and the Rotaract Club are all represented.


ACADEMIC/POLITICAL

These clubs primarily concern themselves with either scholarly work, like the Botany Club or the Philosophy Club, or with more ideological commonality, like the Revolutionary Students Union or the College Republicans.  But there’s more than just those: the English Conversation Club gives ESL students the opportunity to improve and refine their conversational skills.


RELIGIOUS

These groups gather those with common religious ground. The Baptist Student Union, the Interfaith Student Association and the Valley Project are all groups where religious people of various stripes can come together. In addition, the Latter-Day Saint Student Association, sponsored by the Orem Institute of Religion, encourages academic performance, “balanced life while on campus…and service on campus and in the community.”


ATHLETIC/RECREATIONAL

These clubs focus directly on outdoor activities, like the Hiking Club; fitness activities like the Power Yoga Club; or casual sports, like the Ultimate Frisbee Club or the Racquetball Club.

But let’s say you really think that Wolverines would take to a club for Dr Pepper enthusiasts, chronic Paul Simon whistlers or Gilmore Girls fans. To start a new club, simply fill out a charter. Charters are available in LC101a, or you can print one off from the ‘Forms’ tab of the UVU Clubs website. A full-time student must be the club president, the club must have a minimum of six members and a club adviser must be either full-time faculty or staff.