By The Baron Banner Editorial Board
The Baron Banner’s editorial board count: Ten editors disapprove of FVHS’ treatment of Equal Access Groups, one editor supports the current approach and one editor has abstained from participating in the article.
Fountain Valley High School (FVHS)’s club regulations have prevented numerous Equal Access groups (EAGs) from forming, often on the grounds of perceived similarity to existing organizations and denying renewal due to required meeting minutes and event submissions.
We understand ASB’s historical rationale for limiting the amount of clubs on campus. Regulations, as in any governing body, are necessary to maintain order and facilitate collaboration within organizations. However, when such regulations are being used to prevent students from pursuing genuine passions – despite persistent efforts to appeal for existence – it becomes apparent that reform is necessary.
ASB and its members have undoubtedly done tremendous work in fostering school spirit, whether it be through rallying student support for our athletic teams or hosting lively school dances that shape our high school experience. However, with this leadership position comes a responsibility to foster an environment where all student voices and interests are embraced.
Some staff members have expressed concerns that students are forming clubs merely to enhance college applications, but evaluations of such motivations fall not to the school, but rather admissions officers.
By denying students a welcoming space to take initiative, FVHS is limiting personal growth and diminishing the impact students could truly make on the community.
More clubs may also raise concerns about the ASB Student Culture Commission’s workload, particularly in reviewing meeting minutes and events; however, if regulations are revised to align with the Equal Access Act (EAA) and HBUHSD policies, only Curricular Clubs – those that are school sanctioned and function as extensions of the school’s academic program – should be held to existing documentation requirements, allowing EAGs to remain voluntary and reducing administrative burdens.
Disbanding an Equal Access Group for reasons unrelated to their work diminishes the passion invested and hinders opportunities for meaningful growth on campus. While existing quotas may exist as guidelines to support participation, they should not serve to reprimand clubs. EAGs should not receive a strike for meeting once a month instead of twice, or for failing to formally document otherwise successful activities throughout the year.
To address these concerns while complying with the respective policies, FVHS can implement structured solutions balancing administrative feasibility with student initiative.
CLARIFYING STUDENT CONFUSION
With the growing number of student organizations, many may struggle to navigate the club system, often discouraging participation or leading gravitation towards well-established clubs, thus limiting broader engagement within the student body.
FVHS should implement a centralized platform for students to explore each club’s mission and activities. Clubs could be organized into categories — Curricular, Competition, Cultural, Service and Student Interest — with flexibility to amend as needed. Board members could create infographics via Google Slides, accessible through the student’s grade-level Canvas page or the FVHS Approved Clubs List. Similar systems exist at Westminster High School, Edison High School, Marina High School and Huntington Beach High School, which hosts up to 104 clubs on campus.
FEW ADVISORS, MANY GROUPS
Increased groups inevitably bring concerns over advisor capacity. According to the current ICC Bylaws, advisors may not oversee more than three clubs to prevent overwhelm. For groups lacking an advisor but seeking to meet, we suggest implementing a sign-up system for a communal meeting space, such as the Media Center.
Using a facilities calendar similar to the existing athletics’ calendar, FVHS could schedule Media Center spaces, with rotating advisors supervising EAGs within the ICC Bylaws. All clubs without an advisor would be able to reserve Media Center space per the center’s availability and advisor’s availability, ensuring fair allocations of resources across all student organizations.
CLUB RUSH – MORE CLUBS, LESS EXPOSURE
As the number of student organizations on campus grows, Club Rush’s effectiveness as a point of engagement must be reconsidered. Under the current Club Handbook, all clubs are required to attend both days of Club Rush 1.0 and 2.0, unless otherwise excused. While this policy aims to ensure equal exposure, the sheer volume of organizations results in diminished visibility for individual clubs.
By assigning half of all clubs to participate on the first day, and the remaining half on the second, the campus can maintain equal opportunity for exposure while reducing the overwhelming nature of the events for students navigating the fair.
FUNDRAISING FEASABILITY
With more clubs, large-scale fundraising events like Fall Fest and Culture Fest risk oversaturation, reducing individual profit. FVHS could introduce an additional fundraising opportunity beyond Fall Fest, Culture Fest and Winter Market events, distributing participation throughout the year.
Fundraising could also be differentiated by classification. During Culture Week, a new event planned for the 2025-2026 school year, Curricular Clubs could operate after-school booths as they are permitted to fundraise on campus; EAGs will then focus fundraising for Culture Fest. This decreases congestion, particularly since Culture Fest is not mandatory for all clubs.
By distributing fundraising structures and participation, clubs can sustain the integrity of these traditions while allowing the student body to experience a diverse range of student organizations.
LOOKING FORWARD
FVHS has a responsibility to uphold EAA policies, ensuring that every student organization has a fair opportunity to participate and be heard equitably. We hope that, in the future, FVHS affirms the right of all student organizations to operate and is committed to considering the needs and interests of every club.
Baron Banner welcomes ideas and feedback from the community on any contents published. Readers are encouraged to submit Letters to the Editor to fvhsbaronbanner@gmail.com.
