Thirst Relief International members recruit members during 2013’s Club Rush
Photo by Ashley LeBy Kristie Hoang, Editor-in-Chief
Following a year of club events, fundraisers and activities, Baron Banner investigates the difference between the two main types of student associations on campus: equal access groups and curricular clubs.
Assistant Principal of Activities, Josh Lamar, explained that FVHS school administration does not dictate the rules for clubs on campus. Instead, they follow Huntington Beach Union High School District board policies regarding equal access groups and curricular clubs on campus.
According to board policy code 5145.3, the main difference between curricular and non-curricular groups remains that curriculum clubs have a distinct connection with school curriculum, whereas equal access groups are not directly related to school subjects.
An example of a curricular club would be Model United Nations (MUN). The purpose of MUN is to engage in spirited debate of current worldwide topics, as is common among member countries of the United Nations. Debating about politics and historical events is central to history classes across campus. Thus, MUN is directly related to the curriculum.
An example where the relationship between a group is not associated with school curriculum is the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA). VSA is devoted to spreading and embracing Vietnamese culture among the Asian-American community. However, although the study of Vietnam and its culture is touched upon in World Geography and United States History classes, VSA is not a curricular club because it does not concentrate on Geography or United States history.
Therefore, students must be wary of what their club’s purpose and concentration before applying to be either a curricular club or equal access group.
Another difference between curricular clubs and equal access groups is that curricular clubs are able to hold funds in an Associated Student Body (ASB) account, while equal access groups must be responsible for their treasury elsewhere.
Furthermore, equal access groups may not participate in school sponsored fundraising activities. Thus, fundraising must be done outside of school hours.
In addition to the differences between the student organizations, equal access groups have limited access to school public address announcement systems. Curricular clubs have full abilities to use the announcement systems. Thus, equal access groups are limited to outlets such as Baron Broadcast News (BBN) and Baron Banner.
Also, the role of advisors differs from equal access groups to curricular clubs. Advisors for equal access groups may not be directly involved in the running of club meetings and planning of club events. Advisors merely provide a room for clubs to convene within.
According to Key Club President, Kelton Do (‘16), Key Club rarely needs advisor Yvette Wright for club affairs.
However, for curricular clubs, advisors play a direct hand in directing club meetings and club events.
In the case of California Scholarship Federation (CSF), though the club board initiates and executes club events, advisor Clint Walters remains updated and active throughout the planning process.
Also, equal access groups must pay an additional fee to have a club picture included in the yearbook.
Though there are distinct differences between equal access groups and curricular clubs, FVHS hosts many equal access groups and curricular clubs. Thus, students have the opportunity to explore and be a part of many organizations. In addition, students may wish to add to the diverse club culture at FVHS by creating their own equal access or curricular club, as many have done for the 2014-2015 school year.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the March issue of the Baron Banner in 2015.
