10 Newly Recognized Student Organizations to Look Out for Next Semester (Fall 2023)

William & Mary boasts more than 450 officially recognized extracurricular clubs, including 200+ special interest groups and nearly 50 unique culture/identity-based clubs. Being officially recognized by the university’s Student Leadership Development department means that your club can access funding and advertisement opportunities from the school itself. The process of getting recognized may seem simple. However, in reality it can take months to get an organization up and running.

This past year, many groups have managed to receive recognition and are in the process of recruiting new members. This alphabetized, non-exhaustive article serves to highlight a few underrated rookies. Whether you are a new or returning student, be sure to look out for these clubs at the student activities fair and other tabling events!

1693 Minecraft Club

Starting off this list is W&M’s newest video game-related org. Minecraft Club offers a place for likeminded students to socialize and play their favorite games together. Regardless of whether you are a complete beginner or seasoned Minecraft veteran, anyone can join this group. For more information, see their TribeLink and IG pages.

Documentary Club

This club is all about watching and filming docs. They plan on hosting a documentary contest, screening a showcase of these collaborative projects, and selecting winners to join their Hall of Fame each semester. On top of this, Documentary Club will hold watch parties of various docs. If you’re an aspiring filmmaker and/or doc enthusiast, this is the perfect club to learn more about the medium! For more info, you can find this club’s IG and their TribeLink page.

Drag & Drop

A number of different W&M-affiliated organizations have brought drag to campus (see: AMP’s past speaker event with Pandora Boxx and Pride Week’s student drag show finale). However, it wasn’t until recently that a club dedicated to drag has been officially recognized. Drag & Drop plans to hold presentations and workshops, watch parties, and performances centered around the LGBTQ+ art form. Check out their TribeLink for more information.

Food For All

Food For All is a chapter of a DC-based non-profit of the same name. This org is focused on tackling food insecurity throughout W&M. According to their website, FFA runs a variety of programs, including COVID food deliveries for those under quarantine and meal swipe drives. Recently, they moved the university’s food exchange center to Sadler. They work closely with the Wesley Foundation and other local mutual aid orgs. TribeLink lists more of this club’s initiatives and additional contact info, and their IG page has additional resources.

Judo Club

As the name suggests, Judo Club gives students a space to learn and improve their skills in the competitive martial art of Kodokan Judo. They hold practice sessions and uphold the philosophy of “Mutual Respect and Benefit.” For more information about this club, check out their TribeLink and IG pages.

Queer People of Color at W&M

Queer People of Color at W&M (QTPOC) is an identity-based org that amplifies and showcases voices from queer students of color. They recently changed their acronym to include transgender people in their conversations. QTPOC recently held a queer prom at the Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheatre, which was hugely popular amongst students. To learn more about what they do, check out their TribeLink and IG page.

Songwriting Club

With another straightforward title, Songwriting Club appreciates the art of lyric and invites members to write and perform their own songs. They hold workshop-style meetings and collaborate with other music-related orgs. This interest-based club meets weekly. For more information, see their TribeLink and their IG pages.

Student Accessibility and Disability Alliance (SADA)

SADA is dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for the disabled community. They are focused on bettering the state of accessibility (or rather, lack thereof) at W&M. Additionally, they strive to provide a welcoming social space for disabled students. Currently, they are planning an advocacy campaign that will challenge able-bodied students to only use accessible paths and entrances around campus from April 25-26. For more information about this club, check out their Instagram and TribeLink pages.

TBD Theatre Troupe

W&M is home to various acting groups. From comedic improv to classical rendition, there is something for everyone. What sets TBD apart from the rest is the fact that they showcase exclusively original screenplays written by and for students. This past semester, they ran The New Play Staged Reading Festival from March 31-April 1, which featured many talented student performers. Check out TBD’s IG and TribeLink for additional info and announcements.

The Black Poets Society

Founded in the fall, the Black Poets Society centers and engages with writers of the Black Diaspora. According to their TribeLink, this includes Black American/British, Afro-Latine/Caribbean, and African poets and lyricists. Since February is Black History Month and April marks National Poetry Month, they have been very active both on IG and in-person at the Center for Student Diversity. They will continue to host various prompt writing workshops and contests next semester.