The Tufts Community Union Judiciary (TCUJ) has recognized 13 new student organizations this semester, and continues to review applications submitted by other groups. These 13 approvals make for a total of 19 newly-recognized organizations this academic year.
"There are a lot of new groups - more than usual," junior Adam Biacchi, the TCUJ member responsible for new group recognition, said.
Biacchi attributed the high number of new clubs to the diversity of interests represented on the Tufts campus. "There are a lot of cultural organizations, and any cultures that don't have [a group] want one," he said. "Every language wants an organization, every major wants one... there's no limit to the imagination."
Many applicants noted that the recognition process was hurried this year. "The process was stressful because of the rush," said sophomore Abby Moffat, co-chair of the Women's Union at Tufts (WUT). "We only had one week."
Biacchi said that the TCUJ encouraged groups to complete their applications before the Feb. 1 deadline in order to be considered for next year's budget allocations. "We basically said, 'If you want a decent amount of money, it would be in your best interest to get recognition now.'"
In order to be recognized, a student organization must serve a unique function on campus. Sophomore Nico Juber founded the Tufts Mac Users Group (TuftsMUG) as a source of support for Macintosh users, an outlet that had not previously existed. "I know a lot of Mac users who have problems with their computers, and they have nowhere to go," Juber said. "I think it's a resource Tufts could benefit from."
New groups have to go through various administrative procedures, such as submitting a proposal, a budget, a constitution, and proof of adequate membership. "Getting my group recognized definitely involved a lot more steps and formalities than I had envisioned at the start," freshman Niki Luhur, president of Students for a Free Tibet, said. "You have to run through a lot of hula-hoops. I guess they're there to see if you're serious... It was a lot of busy work, and was a little discouraging, but it's stuff you have to do."
Junior Todd Scalia said that filling out the "useless paperwork" was "painstaking and unnecessary" and that it ultimately deterred his Aquarium Club from seeking recognition. Most recognized groups, however, are optimistic.
"We are very excited," sophomore Mary Ann Treist, founding member of Multiracial Student Organization for Students of Tufts (MOST), said. "Our group's main goal is to be a support for multiracial students, but we also hope to be very active in educating the tufts community about multiracial issues."
The new groups generally plan to expand their support base through programming and activities. MOST, for example, aims to set up a multiracial peer mentoring program, while WUT and TuftsMUG plan to bring speakers to campus.
The Chorale of Tufts University, formerly the Tufts Chorale, received official recognition after a push by members to gain more funding. In the past, Chorale members had to supply their own folders and music because of budget constraints. According to sophomore Jeff Rawitsch, the Chorale's efforts were expedited because of its status as a credited course offered by the University's music department. Rawitsch said that the group offers "a great opportunity for people who are interested in music to come together, even if they're not technically superior, and have a good time."
Other groups that gained recognition were the Swahili Club, the Latino Dance Troupe, and Fantoche, a puppetry group.
"I think there were some very worthwhile clubs approved, and I think a lot of them will be successful," said Biacchi. He noted that the No Homers Club and Tuftslife.com, two groups that were recognized last year, have been very active since their approval.
Recognition enables groups to poster on campus, reserve rooms in campus buildings, and use the Tufts name in naming their organizations.
