By Lori Bredemeyer, Copy Editor
Proposals have been made to re-evaluate the five-star social club rating system, but no definite plans have been decided, said Amanda Spell, coordinator of student organizations and activities.
Representatives and advisers of each social club have met with Spell three times this semester to “see what the issues are that the clubs see as things that need to be discussed,” she said.
In October, Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, said , “We are evaluating the system, drawing upon its strengths and further informing the system with input from current social club members, advisers, staff, faculty and administration.”
He also said program evaluation is not an unusual occurrence, and Campus Life uses it to strengthen its programs.
On March 22, the social club representatives were divided into five committees: service and leadership, organizational goals, academic excellence, organizational management and campus involvement.
“They had about a month to meet with their committee and discuss what they thought should happen with whatever area they were taking about,” Spell said. “At this point, I’m reviewing all those presentations.”
She said she will put together a proposal based on these presentations, but she has to discuss any changes with Barnard and Jan Meyer, director of student leadership development.
After a decision is made, she said she will “communicate the final product to the clubs. Hopefully by the end of May I’ll have all of that finalized so that the students know what’s going to be in place when they come back in the fall.”
She said one change she is almost certain will take place is the number of people who decide how many stars each club receives; right now the group includes herself, Barnard and Meyer.
She also said the re-evaluation process should happen each year as the clubs change.
“Ideally, it’s a system that every year they’re evaluated because every year there’s different leadership within the club, so that really does determine what kind of year they have,” Spell said. “The leadership is a huge part of the five-star system.”
New ratings will not be issued until next spring, Spell said, so the re-evaluated system would not go into effect until then.
