Interview with Kathryn Huntress: How to Start a Club at Dean College
- Connor Bok
- Dec 4
- 4 min read
The following is an interview with Kathryn Huntress, Assistant Director for Student Activities and Leadership for Dean College. The Dean Daily reporter Conner Bok get a chance to sit down with her about starting a club here on campus.
Note: Some quotes or questions might be changed for clarity or length.
Conner: “What is the process of starting a club on campus?”
Kathryn: Step One: Meet with the Assistant Director of Student Activities [Editor's Note: That is Kathryn Huntress herself] to review the steps for starting a new organization. This includes reviewing the organization’s name, logo, constitution, mission, advisor and goals. All organizations must have at least 5 members and an advisor.
Step Two: Once you have gathered the necessary information reviewed during the meeting, submit it to the Assistant Director of Student Activities.
Step Three: An email from the Assistant Director of Student Activities will be distributed to the organization in contact to set up a meeting to discuss your new organization with a member of the SGA. Come prepared for the meeting with a PowerPoint presentation reviewing mission, advisor, executive board, potential students who may be interested in the organization, and how it will benefit the Dean community.
Step Four: The Assistant Director of Student Activities will inform you of the new organization's status – either Approved or Not Approved.
a. Approved: The Assistant Director of Student Activities will reach out regarding the next steps, which include reserving space for meetings and distribution of club and org materials.
b. Not Approved: If not approved and you still wish to start this Organization on campus, the Assistant Director of Student Activities will offer suggestions on how to continue with the process.
Step Five: After you receive approval, you must schedule a meeting with the Assistant Director of Student Activities to receive training.
Conner: “On average, how long does it take a club to go from plan to execution?”
Kathryn: “It depends! Some students come to our office with several steps already completed, like having a logo, an advisor, and five interested members. In those cases, the process can move quickly. If a student is starting with just an idea, it may take a bit longer. On average, we’ve seen some organizations get up and running in as little as two weeks, while others may take a full semester or even a year to complete all the required steps.”
Conner: “What are the reasons a club may get rejected?”
Kathryn:
Does Not Meet the Needs of the Dean Community
The proposed organization does not fill a unique or meaningful need within the current student body or does not contribute to the overall campus experience in a purposeful way.
Too Academically Focused
The organization’s goals or activities closely mirror those of an academic department, major, or existing academic program rather than providing a co-curricular or community-building experience. Students are encouraged to collaborate with academic departments for initiatives of this nature.
Duplicate Purpose or Mission
The proposed organization’s mission, goals, or activities significantly overlap with an existing recognized student organization. Collaboration is encouraged to prevent redundancy.
Insufficient Student Interest or Sustainability
The organization cannot demonstrate enough committed student members or leadership to sustain operations beyond initial approval.
Incomplete or Inadequate Application Materials
The proposal, constitution, or advisor information is incomplete or does not meet the standards required by the Office of Student Activities.
Mission Misalignment
The proposed purpose or planned activities do not align with the values, mission, or educational philosophy of Dean College.
Policy or Legal Concerns
The organization’s proposed activities or structure conflict with college policy, local/state/federal law, or present potential safety or liability concerns.
Political Special Interest
The organization is affiliated with, or primarily promotes, a political party, candidate, or special interest group in a manner that may compromise the College’s commitment to maintaining an educational environment.
Lack of Advisor Support
The organization does not have a full-time faculty or staff member willing and able to serve as an advisor to guide and support the group.
Conner: “Why might a club disband?”
Kathryn: “It depends! Some clubs naturally phase out as student interest changes over time. We often see organizations thrive when a particular group of students is passionate about them, but once those students graduate, the club may struggle to maintain involvement. In addition, SALD uses a strike system. All clubs and organizations must follow SALD/SGA policies as outlined in the Student Clubs and Organizations Manual (found on MyDean). If a club receives three strikes, it may be designated as inactive for a period.”
Conner: “Are any clubs looking to get off the ground?”
Kathryn: “We currently have a student looking to start “Students for Global Justice at Dean College” – if students are interested, have them email sald@dean.edu!”
Conner: “Any other tips for starting a club?”
Kathryn: “Some tips could include thinking through some potential events your potential organization could hold. Think big and small, pretend you don’t have a budget! What would your club bring to Dean? How is your club different than the clubs we already have? How would you engage with the Dean community?”
Conner: “Any final comments?”
Kathryn: "If students are interested in starting a club, they can reach out directly to me, Kathryn Huntress (khuntress@dean.edu) or email sald@dean.edu! We’re more than happy to chat through ways to start a new club and how to gain interest! SALD/SGA really looks for students to emphasize how their organization will benefit the entire Dean community. We want our orgs to bring all of campus together through events, social media, and building community!"
