UCC has several new clubs to help students build friendships and establish connections. These extra-curricular activities, according to Active Learning in Higher Education, also help students get better grades due to the “social benefits of participation.”

Multicultural Club

Multicultural Club is new at UCC, just starting in January. At a recent meeting, laughter and great food energized the Multicultural Club space. A member brought in a bright red skirt that looked like a dancing flame and demonstrated her culture’s dance style.

Soon the members were encouraged to join in and learn about the dance. They danced together and made salsa and guacamole, and one member passed out recipes.

Through the club, students can come together every other week on a Friday to the student center and learn about their culture and heritage and even different heritages that interest them.

Like with many clubs, Multicultural Club members have a say in what kind of events they hold and whatever they do is a club decision, adviser Lakia Burnside Atkinson said.

Students for Liberation

Students for Liberation was started by Robin Bruns to support the Queer Students Advocacy (QSA) club, but he wanted to take a more direct approach.

Bruns has goals where in Canvas the student body can go by their preferred names and pronouns. UCC students use Canvas for classes to turn in homework, do class discussions and check grades or do readings.

Bruns also wants students to be educated on their rights to accessibility and gender rights by holding events, posting flyers around campus and even sending out emails to recruit and to interact with the student body.

Students for Liberation is struggling to become a secure club because there aren’t enough members right now to help push their motive. Interested students can contact Robin Bruns through ASUCC so he can direct you on how to help. Bruns is an ASUCC senator.

Queer Community/QSA

Queer Community is more of an interest group due to QSA losing its student leadership.

With the QSA club on hold, associate professor of theater Bart McHenry started hosting Queer Community so queer students can come together for a support group at UCC.

McHenry says that he hopes in the future that the queer community can grow where queer people can come together and share experiences and develop into an actual club.

Spanish Club

Have you ever been interested in learning Spanish? Do you have an interest in Spanish culture? Spanish club is held every Wednesday in Jackson Hall room 16 for any student who wants to come learn.

Within these meetings, the members get together to practice the language, play games, celebrate Spanish holidays and hold potlucks where each member must bring food from the culture.

World Languages associate professor Nicholas Tratz and club member Sonja Carleton said that the club is in the process of planning a trip to Spain next summer with the participating members. They will start fundraising soon to assist club members who want to go as the trip will cost about $5000.

Speakers Corner

Speakers Corner is a safe place for students to speak what’s on their minds. They can share their own poetry or their favorite poetry or practice with open mic-style comedy.

Speaker’s Corner is advised by McHenry and communications associate professor Christina Ballard. Ballard and McHenry also want students to enjoy a judgment-free zone for debate.

Ballard has said this is a comfortable space for UCC students to make friends with their peers. Ballard said that she herself has developed wonderful relationships with students through this type of activity.