“We have a little of everything under the sun.”
Liz Chapman, student network and engagement coordinator at the Durham College Student Association (DCSA), says whatever your niche, there is likely a club on campus for you.
“I have a very unique job,” she says. Chapman oversees the club portfolio for the DCSA and often works with “young and excited” people looking to start a club or group.
She says all clubs are completely student organized. She works with them to create and build groups, and make events they would like to see on campus.
Megan Stokes is a student a Durham College in the Entrepreneurship and Small Business program.
She is the founder of the Durham College Book Lovers Club. This club has two book clubs happening at the same time. Both meet once a month to discuss the book of choice.
“I thought it would be a good opportunity to meet some people who like to read and [be with] other like-minded people,” Stokes says.
The Book Lovers Club creates an opportunity for people to chat and share their opinion, which is Stokes’ favourite part.
“Everybody thinks different of books, talking about it is fun,” she says.
Ontario Tech also has a book club run by Nathaniel Ambedkar who is in the Computer Science program.
Though this club is run slightly differently, the main idea is to read a book in the category of that month and then meeting up to discuss it.
The club includes fun get togethers where all members can be creative and meet up in other ways. “We also have a bookmark making workshop,” Ambedkar says.
He always welcomes newcomers and encourages others to read or come to meet ups and talk about reading in general.
“Even if you haven’t read in 10 years, what did you read 10 years ago?” he asks.
Ryan Sopha-Wright created a club with something different in mind. The Durham College Epilepsy Association is a space for all. He has been diagnosed with epilepsy and recalls the nervousness he felt when he came to DC.
“I want make sure that here at Durham College people who have epilepsy can feel much more comfortable,” says Sopha-Wright.
Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes recurring seizures. There are many different types of seizures, and about one in 100 people worldwide are affected by epilepsy, according to Chelsea Kerstens, the executive director for Epilepsy Durham Region.
She’s working closely with Sopha-Write to create a safe space for students. They hope to start regular meetings in the new year.
“He wants to make sure that other students know there is a safe space for them to come and talk about their epilepsy,” she says.
There’s also an engineering technology club focused on future careers and the DC Pride Coalition where LGBTQ+ community members and allies meet.
You can also find clubs devoted to anime, chess, spirituality, human psychology and philosophy and more.
You can also find a club focused on a particular culture, such as the Muslim Students Association or Sri Lankan Students Durham.
Over at Ontario Tech, there are many clubs, including an Afro(fusion) Dance Club focused on tradition and modern African dances, Blankets for Oshawa which supports people who are homeless, and L.I.G.H.T.S. – a club for plant enthusiasts.
To find out more about what clubs are available at DC, visit mydcsa.ca. For clubs at Ontario Tech, go to otsu.ca/clubs-societies.