Organizations fit all needs
by Aaron Vess, Reporter

    Student activities and organizations give students an opportunity for an education outside of the classroom.
   Each TCC campus offers students several selections.
   Different types of organizations provide students with the chance to learn more about future careers, become part of the student community, socialize with other students and earn scholarships if wanting to transfer to a university.
   Some clubs focus on educating students interested in learning beyond the scope of courses normally available.
   For example, El Grupo on NE Campus consists of students who want to continue their studies of the Spanish language.
   The Drama Club/Delta Psi Omega and the Chapter of the Math Association of America on NE are other examples of these types of clubs.
   Students wanting to express themselves artistically could join the Art Encounter Club on NW Campus.
   Clubs such as this encourage arts appreciation and artistic expression among students.
   Other clubs that students interested in art could try include the Northwest Dance Company, the Northeast Art Association and the NE Association of Potters and Sculptors.
   If students are looking for an organization to help them prepare for future careers, then they should join a club like the Press Club on NE Campus.
   It promotes interests in journalism and increases the student's knowledge of the newspaper process.
   Other examples of clubs that could help a student prepare for a future career include the TCC Students of the American Dental Hygiene Association on NE Campus, the American Institute of Architecture on SE Campus and the American Design Drafting Association on South Campus.
   Other such clubs provide opportunities for students to get involved and network with prospective employers for future jobs.
   Students with interests in government or religious studies can join the Student Advisory Council on NW Campus. This organization serves as a student government and ambassadors for the NW Campus and is important in the campus' decision-making process. Also government clubs exist on other campuses: the Student Government Association on South Campus and the College Democrats and the College Republicans on NE Campus. Students who would like to join a club based on theological studies could join the Baptist Student Organization or the Muslim Student Organization, both on SE Campus.
   Other theological clubs include the Christian Student Ministry on South and NE campuses. Special interests clubs are also offered at TCC.
   Spectrum, for instance, is a NE organization whose goal is to interact, communicate and learn about gay and lesbians and issues that may concern them.
   Other clubs with special interests are the Respiratory Care Student Club on NE, Students Who Are Parents on NW and the Black Legacy Student Organization on SE.
   Of course, some organizations award students with scholarships for universities and nurture their academic excellence.
   Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year college students, is one such organization.
   Students wanting to join must complete 12 semester hours and have a 3.5 GPA before joining.
   Besides becoming a part of the student community, scholarships are another benefit of joining a student organization.
   Joyce Fisher, SE Campus counselor, said the experience from club membership gets the attention of people giving away scholarships.
   "Four-year universities are looking to give scholarships to students who will make a contribution to their campus," she said.
   If none of these clubs suit a student's need, other options are available.
   New clubs may be formed by checking with student activities on each campus. Certain procedures must be followed, but mostly groups need a faculty or staff member who is willing to serve as sponsor.