School clubs fail to call general assembly

The general assembly for student clubs planned to be held on May 1 under the theme of “Finding spring of school clubs,” was foundered due to the lack of number of students. The assembly was to be held with the participation of over a fourth of the total number of students in central school clubs which is over three hundred. Instead, students had time to share their opinions communally regarding the difficulties school clubs are having with regard to the lack of space and support funding.
Previously, on March 20, the first club representative council agreed to initiate the General Assembly with the agreement of 65 out of 79 students. 
“Similar proposals have previously been presented by the student body to the school several times,” said Kim Hye-rin, the representative of Donghari, the 33rd Ewha’s club foundation. “The improvements that were made were those requiring only a small budget, such as simple facility repairs. Otherwise, the school has been continuously dodging proposals that require a larger budget, such as requests for more activity areas, extending the air conditioner control period and increasing overall financial support.”
The club foundation proposed holding a general assembly of central school club members to more effectively convey the opinions of the school clubs. By coming together in the assembly, the student clubs were expected to take integrated action in dealing with the current problems shared by students and discuss further actions that will be beneficial for the future of 78 school central clubs.
“Even if the general assembly is not achieved, it will be a place to freely discuss requirements together,” said Kim. 
Although General Assembly was not held due to the lack of students, the attending students discussed with the agendas prepared for general assembly.
The agenda was first raised in the Club Representative Council and the Department Council and finally determined by the School Club Operation Committee. 
Four main demands discussed in the gathering were expanding student activity areas, upgrading the activity environment, easing the financial burden of student clubs, and achieving full autonomy regarding club activities.
The first demand included establishing a school-student committee to discuss the lack of space, and old facilities inside the Student Union building. Currently, nine school central clubs do not have their own offices, and there are only two practice areas in the Student Union building, a small number compared to the number of performance clubs that use the area.
Regarding the second demand, specific proposals included soundproofing club rooms, 24-hour operation of the air conditioners and installing individual air conditioners in the club rooms. The current air conditioning system in the Student Union building is run until 8 p.m. on weekdays, despite being open 24 hours daily. Repairing old facilities such as beam projectors and wooden floors, as well as establishing a rental system for apparatuses such as ladders and handcarts was also suggested.
The proposals regarding the third demand included increasing financial support fund for each school central club, and providing it at the start of the semester. Currently, an average of only 26 percent of club activities’ total expenses are supported by the school. The proposal also gave an alternative of providing clubs funds twice a year or allowing the school clubs to register for funds during school breaks, which would lessen the financial burden for students.
The last demand requested a change in several club operation methods. Such as revision in the designation of advising professors to each club by the school. Since club funds are provided only to clubs that receive an approval from professors twice a year, some clubs only interact with their advising professors for the funding. Also, the administration’s tendency to give priority to external events in using the school space is deemed unfair by many.
Three periodic communal actions were suggested for realizing the proposals. Right after the gathering, students stuck notes on the Student Affairs office. Then May 5 to 12 will be designated as “Week of communal action.” On the day of the meeting with Student Services, students will be watching the meeting process, holding pickets and presenting the proposals in the meeting. From May 16 to 18, during Daedong Festival, it was suggested that posters of the proposals should be set up in every club operated booth.