AMES, Iowa -- It started with the Philomathean Literary Society in 1868. Some 50 "lovers of learning" gathered in the Iowa State chapel on Friday nights to hear speeches and debates. Now, more than 600 student organizations serve thousands of ISU students. And each club, society, squad, team, council, association, guild and fellowship differs from the next.
They will be showcased at the annual fall Clubfest, "Come See What Happens After Class," 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, in the Memorial Union Durham Great Hall. In its 15th year, the fair provides student organizations the opportunity to recruit new members who share a passion for their particular activities, pursuits, interests and causes.
"Student organizations offer involvement and leadership opportunities," said George Micalone, director of student activities. "But there are a few more requirements for student organizations to be officially recognized than electing officers or filling out forms.
"Organizations must be recognized for official identification to be able to use designated university facilities and services. They must follow specified policies and participate in certain trainings, on accounting and university vehicle safety, for example," he said.
Micalone expects about 200 organizations will promote what they have to offer at Clubfest.
And, they offer something for everyone. From AirISU--in which students construct and fly a light sport aircraft--to Zeitgeist--a club for German and other students to learn about each others' cultures.
There's Alliance for Disability Awareness, American Indian Rights Organization, Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, Ames Science Fiction and Fantasy Association, American Choral Directors Association, and Argentinean-Uruguayan-Chilenean Students Association. And that's just the "As."
There's Canatamus (an all women's vocal ensemble, which offers "fulfilling challenges in classic literature as well as contemporary music from around the world"); the Tir Asleen Medieval Combat Society ("a fast paced, full contact medieval combat game where participants wield safe, foam-padded versions of medieval and dark ages weapons to combat with each other"); and Cosplay x Conflagration ("for people interested in costuming, be it the history, creation, wearing, or viewing of costumes ... to encourage group attendance to costume-related conventions").
And among the 229 departmental organizations that help students with their future professions are the Student Society of Landscape Architecture, the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, the Forest Products Society, the Geo-Engineering Society, the Criminal Justice Club, the Logistics and Supply Chain Management Club and the Nutrition Club.
There are 81 sports, recreation and leisure activity clubs, 53 special interest organizations, 47 multicultural associations, 37 spiritual and religious groups, 19 music and performing arts clubs and seven military organizations. Twenty groups focus on politics and social activism, while 24 clubs are dedicated to service and volunteerism. ISU students can climb mountains, ride unicycles, build robots, speak French, study the Bible, dance Celtic, prepare for the Marines, march for peace and walk for AIDS.
And the newest student organization? It's ISU Greenbus, formed to process reclaimed vegetable oil into biodiesel for CyRide vehicles.