Student interest in extracurriculars on the rise

By Ashley Ward, Secretary and Assistant Editor

FARMINGTON 一 Extracurriculars at the University of Maine at Farmington have reported a struggle with student involvement and membership over the last 18 months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, group leaders believe that there is hope on the horizon.

For on-campus clubs, it was nearly impossible for students to engage in activities. Those that did join were faced with the responsibilities for several in-club positions.

“We took a hard hit last year with the pandemic and got all the way down to one member,” said Artemis Monteith, President of the Nightmare Club. According to Monteith, the club went all the way from 20 members to almost disbanding. Now the club has up to 16 members.

Learning Commons Coordinator William St. John noted increased difficulty in making new tutor hires for this academic year. “I’ve sent out dozens of emails…offering students jobs. Saying, ‘I’ll hire you! And you get to work your own hours, and get paid 12 bucks an hour!’ and most of them never replied,” St. John said.

St. John said that even though students haven’t been as aggressive at seeking out academic help from tutors, numbers are on the rise.

“…tutoring this semester is doing better than it was last semester at this time,” St. John said.

Despite the limited student participation last year, organizations on campus are optimistic about student interest levels returning to pre-pandemic levels with enough time. Advisor of the Student Senate Kirsten Swan said each incoming class of first year students brings a wave of reinvigorated enthusiasm back to extracurricular activities on campus. The increase of participation is observed in the demographics of several clubs and their members, as well as in the Student Senate.

“I think the future is pretty bright for the Student Senate. Everybody on the executive board is new, except for the President, and there are a lot of first and second year students that are Student Senators. There seems to be a lot of good energy in terms of wanting to get involved and wanting to find out what the Student Senate is all about,” Swan said.

Mainely Outdoors Shoots for the Stars

Mainely Outdoors Shoots for the Stars

by Natausha Cogley, Contributing Writer

Tommy Hainsworth

Tommy Hainsworth (pictured) and Sam Shirley (not pictured) lead a stargazing trip in UMF’s backyard.
Photo courtesy of Sam Shirley.

 

    Mainely Outdoors ventured out on Oct. 4th at 7:30 p.m. for a stargazing trip to Prescott and Intervale field.

    UMF Junior, Sam Shirley, has been working for Mainely Outdoors (M.O) for two years now. Due to COVID-19, the company has experienced some limitations with what they can do. “We [M.O] are limited to what we can do because we can’t transport anyone by vans anymore,” Shirley said. “We have to get a little more creative with the stuff we can do. This is just something a little different that we don’t do often.”

    This trip took place on Oct. 4 and students met at the M.O. building at 7:30 p.m. The program lasted until 9:00 p.m. The only things necessary to bring were appropriate walking clothes and a blanket if desired.

    Students had the opportunity to get some fresh air while enjoying a tranquil evening walk, gazing at the stars and moon as they glisten in the sky. 

    “We took a short walk to Prescott Field,” Shirley said. “It’s was a relaxing trip–hanging out in the fields, looking at the stars–and it’s a great way to get some fresh air.”

    The moon was to be in the waning gibbous phase illuminating the sky. Shirley and his coworker Tommy Hainsworth were there to help point out constellations and stars. 

    “Tommy and I are not exactly experts at this stuff, but we can point out some basic constellations,” Shirley said. “The moon is relatively bright, so it was a nice night to be out in the field.”