Starting this year, creating a club at U-High will be more difficult, and some existing clubs may be expected to stop operating under a new policy to be implemented by the administration. Additionally, members of academic teams will have excused absences and members of non-academic clubs will be permitted a select number of field trip days. 

The policy divides clubs into three tiers. Tier One features low-commitment clubs, while Tier Three comprises competitive teams such as Model United Nations and Math Team. All clubs must ensure a 70% attendance rate per month and establish annual goals. Tiers Two and Three must also submit meeting minutes and a constitution. These changes, developed last school year by a committee of students and faculty, come after the number of clubs at U-High spiked, reaching 101 last year for a student body of 622. 

Dean of Students Ana Campos said much of this increase was driven by suspected résumé padding as well as space concerns.

“Sometimes people start clubs not because they want to have a lot of people join around a common interest, sometimes they want to have something to put on their college application, or it’s just their group of friends,” Ms. Campos said. “They’re not doing much to actively recruit members.”

Ms. Campos explained that the new policy is intended to ensure that all clubs are purposeful and active, rather than existing only as a name. 

“There was a feeling that this wasn’t a good use of space,” Ms. Campos said. “We had groups entitled to a room, but if they’re not using it or intending on being an active club, then it feels unfair to the clubs who want to meet and do things. Now, when you’re a club leader, you’re not just a leader in name only — there’s a responsibility.”

When it comes to the absence policy, Ms. Campos believes academic teams should be granted similar privileges as sports. 

“These students are representing Lab,” she said. “They are working hard, and we allow them [absences] for athletics — it feels right we allow them for competitive teams.” 

Junior Ledya Wreden worries about what the policy means for small clubs, such as her ENGin Club, whose members volunteer to teach English to Ukrainian refugees. 

“If 70% of the club needs to attend per month, and you have a club of three people with a member who can’t come a lot of the weeks, will it be shut down?” Ledya said.

While Ms. Campos did not confirm that clubs with low attendance would be forced to close, she highlighted that two clubs voluntarily stopped meeting last year due to a lack of interest. 

“That decision showed a lot of maturity and integrity on those students’ part and is what I would expect from any club leader if the timing isn’t right for their club to exist,” she said.  

The number of clubs at club shopping decreased to 88 this year. Factors that could prevent a club from forming include substantial financial requirements or similarity to an existing club.

Clubs committee member Gio Nicolai, a junior, said the policy will prevent “empty clubs” from forming. 

“Last year we had a 6:1 student club ratio,” he said. “It was a lot to handle. Now, even if a club was created initially for a résumé, as it moves forward, it’s trying to generate something positive.” 

Committee member Sophie Li, a senior, was initially surprised by the level of detail that will be required to maintain a club, but feels the changes are beneficial. 

She said, “Hopefully, it will encourage club leaders to have a clear goal and achieve it.”