Clubs Face Challenges, Find New Ways to Operate
Clubs on campus are trying to regain a sense of normalcy in the midst of a pandemic with COVID-19 regulations.
Due to the campus’ new COVID-19 regulations, all Marist activities must restrict non-essential gatherings. Clubs on campus are feeling these effects since they are no longer free to hold events or discussions in person as planned. Meetings are taking place virtually, and club leaders are finding it more difficult to have a sense of community online.
Screenshot of Marist College's Social Distancing Protocols
“Our big thing with our discussions is that what we talk about stays with us,” Marist Femme Co-President Alexandra Coclin ‘23 said. “And because we’re virtual and students are living with other people, there is that hesitation of someone hearing what you’re talking about. Or you might not feel as personal since you’re not behind closed doors with your group.”
Marist Femme seeks to highlight women’s issues and focuses on intersectionality, covering topics such as discrimination against women of color, LGBTQ+ community and the Black Lives Matter movement. Their club is widely discussion-based so having to switch to fully online formats imposed many challenges. Marist Femme is planning on having a professor from Colorado participate in one of their meetings, which wouldn’t have been possible in person.
“There are some negatives because it’s harder to have those close-knit discussions, but at the same time we are able to pull some virtual resources that we might not have had in-person,” Coclin said.
Other club members have experienced major complications in the way their organization functions. Marist College HuMarists, an improv and comedy group on campus, rely heavily on interactive meetings and activities.
“We’ve had to work around our usual schedules,” Karina Brea ‘23, an active member of HuMarists, said. “Instead of at night, we are meeting during the day, so we can practice outside, socially distance, and of course, have masks on.”
The club has had to alter many improv exercises previously practiced and now focuses more on the group’s dynamic and attempting to keep things as normal as possible. The HuMarists have had to put a halt on holding tryouts, workshops and accepting new members in order to keep students as safe as possible. The club recently participated in Marist’s virtual student activity fair, as well as posting a group form where potential students can show their interest. Yet, one of the biggest obstacles the HuMarists currently face is their performance at the end of every semester.
“We don’t know if we can have a show at the end of the semester, we’re working on an outdoor show possibly, but that’s the closest we can get to a normal show,” Brea said.
Despite the uncertainty, both club leaders and members have adjusted expectations and worked around challenges in an attempt to regain a sense of normalcy for their organizations on campus.