Clubs new and old unite in the courtyard, where students enjoy the unusually warm September weather, in an event organized by Marques Pigg, Student Council Club Coordinator, on September 20 and 21.
Students are abuzz about the new Chai Tea Social Club that tours the cafés around Prague each week, rating the chai and having a good time. The meeting days and times change weekly, so keep up to date on their Instagram page.
The Tennis Club, which began last semester, is still attracting many interested students as the only other sports clubs are football, climbing, and hiking.
The football club is thinking about starting an all-women team next semester. The women of AAU are frustrated by not having the same opportunity to compete because the team is in an all-men’s league, but there are still questions about enough interest and available funding. However, the club’s president, Matt Saks, is supportive and willing to help them join the women’s league, according to AAU student Hope Isaak.
The Jewish Student Union (JSU) began mid-Spring 2023 to fill a void felt by some concerning the interests of unrepresented religious students. The JSU is secular and posts monthly on its Instagram in the hope of informing students about religion, activism, and identity. They strive to promote inclusivity, acceptance, and understanding.
“A lot of people think if they’re not Jewish they can’t join the club, but the club is focused on bringing light to the experiences of Jewish students on campus and advocating for other religious minorities on campus,” says club president Gwen Holcomb.
Holcomb is also the Vice President of Political Review, a club that hopes to print a magazine dedicated to news that is purely political. As an IR major, Holcomb felt that there was not a big enough platform that focused on what is going on around the world.
Pre-existing clubs, like Queer Club, are constantly looking for new members. They have a similar goal as JSU: to provide a safe space for students where they can be themselves and learn about other people’s experiences.
“I’m very proud of the Queer Club for introducing the unisex bathroom,” says AAU student Paula Morales.
However, there are still kinks to work out, as not everyone recognizes the (previously men’s) bathroom on the first floor of the main building as unisex. Morales was using the unisex restroom when a man came in, looking uncomfortable due to her presence. Morales raised her concerns with Queer Club President Marisa Mikels, who was immediately on the job to brainstorm solutions, so everyone feels safe.
Overall, this semester’s club fair added spice to AAU’s vibrant club community; however, those who made it to the first day had a heightened experience as the second day lacked representation from some clubs.
