September 26, 2013 was supposed to be the Baruch College Undergraduate Club Fair. This was the time for many clubs to show to students, especially the incoming freshman, the different extra-curricular activities that were offered to them. However, the Club Fair was postponed for the following week for October 3, 2013 without warning. Although this may seem like hardly an issue to talk about, there were many underlying problems that arose. The politics within the college are possibly to blame. These poltics may have very well shattered the College-Club relationship for a long time.
One of the issues with postponing the club fair so last minute was that some groups had put in a lot of preparation for the popular event. One organization had baked cupcakes, intending to sell them and raise money for their cause. They were instead forced to roam around the school, finding whomever they could to purchase the premade baked goods that they had spent a lot of their own money and time on. They had to see their hard effort effectively go to waste.
of the issues with postponing the club fair so last minute was that some groups had put in a lot of preparation for the popular event. One organization had baked cupcakes, intending to sell them and raise money for their cause. They were instead forced to roam around the school, finding whomever they could to purchase the premade baked goods that they had spent a lot of their own money and time on. They had to see their hard effort effectively go to waste.
In addition, many clubs had already scheduled new member events for immediately after the Fair. Out of respect for new members who joined before the Fair, they had to run these events and close down to anyone else who wanted to join. Clubs such as Fraternities and arts clubs that require rehearsal time could not afford to take on new members so late. As a result, many clubs could not attend the Fair, which severely limited the options available to students.
Perhaps one of the most problematic outcomes of postponing the club fair is the tension left between clubs and faculty. The distrust created left many clubs feeling like they were not respected by Baruch as an integral part of the college experience, much less supported by the it. This prompted many clubs to reconsider how they approach perspective faculty advisors with their plans; many club officers are still reluctant to agree to school–wide programs and events with the bitter taste of the Fair left in their mouths. Without support from the faculty, however, many club events would have to be cancelled. This woul only end up hurting the students in the long run.
Though a small schedule change may have looked insignificant on the surface, it brought about many inconveniences to students and clubs alike. Preparations like baked goods were wasted by the last-minute change of date and certain clubs were unable to attend because of prior plans and engagements. This incidence at the club fair may just be the tip of the iceberg, hiding many other lurking problems between students and the school administration.
By Zachary Gitman, Samuel Goodman, Christina Law, Dmitriy Treyger, and Iris Zelenko
