A recent trend in low student engagement has posed a challenge for clubs and organizations at Pace.

With the end of the spring semester approaching, Pace University clubs and organizations are in the process of nominating and electing new officers. While this is a focus for clubs at the end of the school year, they are constantly working on ways to recruit new members and to boost membership and involvement. However, the recent trend in low student engagement on campus that has impacted the success and popularity of clubs and organizations here at Pace.

NATURE is an environmental club on campus that aims to educate and engage with the local community to understand environmental issues that impact the planet. They host numerous events including upcoming ones such as a hike and tea session with Dr. Anne Toomey, a Choate Pond clean up event, and their annual Earth Day tree planting.

Maddy Garcia, president of NATURE, reflected on how the lack of student engagement has made her concerned for the club’s future. “I definitely think that prior to my position like the older president it’s been very difficult in terms of engagement,” she said.

Recently, Garcia has worked tirelessly to revamp the club’s Instagram account by creating and posting visually appealing infographics on a consistent basis. The idea is to increase awareness and membership, but it has not been enough. “Its hard with the campus community because I don’t feel like Pace advertises the clubs enough like it’s only done through Instagram stories, but it’s not like a highlight…because I feel like a lot of clubs do a lot of great and cool things so it’s hard.”

Another club on campus is the Pace Book Club where students not only read books, but build a sense of community and hang out with those who share similar interests.

Vice President of the club, Ryan Sultan, expressed his frustration with getting more students involved. The Book Club has made attempts to increase their membership with flyers and word of mouth, but their efforts have seemed meaningless.

Sultan is concerned for the future of the club.

“It’s frustrating because I’ve been in this club since my sophomore year, it’s where I met some of my best friends and some people that I’ll probably know for the rest of my life and it frustrates me that its kinda just going to dissolve and fade into the night,” Sultan said.

Although the university hosts a career fair each semester, he does not feel as though clubs are sponsored enough. He wishes that Pace would reach out to the clubs and organizations themselves in order to improve the low student engagement. If the university and clubs worked in unison, it would help build a better connection and both groups could benefit.

Getting involved on campus is a great way to make friends, learn new things, give back to the Pace community, and gain experience that will help you in your future career. There is a club for every interest. Many events that all students enjoy are planned and run by clubs and organizations. Without their presence, Pace University would not be what it is today.

To join NATURE, Pace Book Club, other clubs or organizations or want to know about more opportunities on campus, visit settersyncplv.pace.edu/organizations and get involved.