With the many clubs on the ISU campus, the focus has become narrower and more specific. Members of the ISU community said this allows all students to find their niche.

“We are able to offer so many clubs at Iowa State because the access we have for club registration is student-friendly,” said Vernon Wall, director of student activities. “If a group meets the general criteria, they can be registered as a student organization.”

Wall said Iowa State is accepting of diverse clubs and that students have the right to assemble as long as the club’s goals are in line with the goals of the university.

Many new students come to Iowa State wanting to join a club but feel overwhelmed, Wall said. He said a variety of clubs allows students to make better decisions about what they want to do.

“There is no way students can say there is nothing offered for them,” he said. “There is a wide variety of opportunities that allow students to make changes to fit their interests and needs. It allows them to diversify their experiences over the four years.”

Matt Welk, director of student life for the Government of the Student Body, said he would disagree with any student who says Iowa State offers too many clubs.

“Each club has an interest or need that wasn’t being served on campus but is now because of the club,” said Welk, junior in agricultural education.

Molly Hosch, sophomore in horticulture, said specialization of clubs has some drawbacks along with some positives.

“In some ways the number of clubs hurts people,” she said. “Sometimes you are only meeting people very much like yourself, and there isn’t much diversity.”

Welk said specialized clubs are specialized for a reason. “There are specialized clubs out there because there is a need for them, and they don’t fit into what other generalized clubs offer,” he said.

Ryan Cheeseman, freshman in construction engineering, said it is good to have so many clubs available to students.

“There is a club out there for everyone, no matter what their interest,” he said. “The size of the club is not as important as the support of the members in the club. A club needs a strong involvement because if there aren’t people involved in the club, it won’t keep moving in a positive direction.”

Wall said he suggests students research clubs that might interest them by looking on the organization Web site, going to the Student Activity Center or talking to peers about club experience.

Welk said he suggests students get involved in one club that fits their interests and then branch out with other interests.