By Matthew Chiles

This year, Santa Fe has seen the largest expansion of student activities, organizations and participation from the Student Body since its inception in 1966.

This 2009-2010 academic year alone has seen a total of 10 new student organizations confirmed by the student Senate.

Student organizations are categorized under eight divisions at Santa Fe: academic, arts, sports, cultural, political, religious, service and social. Each of the new clubs established this year fall under these categories.

Academic organizations focus their efforts towards participating in studies pertaining to their respected fields of study. This provides students with opportunities to begin working in their desired field of work.

One example of these academic organizations would be the Bio-Technology club at Santa Fe.

The Bio Technology club intends to form a network comprised of alumni and current students, as well as students in other disciplines, that are interested in learning more about the field of bio-technology.

Their adviser is Elieen K. Monck who can be reached at her email elieen.monck@sfcollege.edu, and more information on the organization can be found at their Facebook link http://www.facebook.com/people/SantaFe-Biotechnology/1800833490.

The Health Information Student Association provides an opportunity for students to network with other students and local professionals to help develop leadership skills and sponsor continued educational courses in the field of health.

Their adviser is Julie A. Shay who can be contacted at julie.shay@sfcollege.edu. More information can be found at their website, http://dept.sfcollege.edu/business/HTM/index.htm.

Religion has always had the stigma of being a sensitive issue, but at Santa Fe, new organizations have taken it upon themselves to avoid such conflict and peacefully promote their beliefs.

The Christians Students Association is a faith based organization whose goal is to teach everyone about the Bible and why it is important to spread the word of God. Also, they gather jointly with other Christians on campus from all denominations for times of fellowship, worship and Bible study.

Their adviser is Kevin Bird who can be contacted at kevin.bird@sfcollege.edu. More information can be found at their Facebook page www.facebook.com/ChristiansStudentAssociation.

Politics is considered as a divisive category and in today’s political climate, a particular hot topic is abortion.

Voices for Planned Parenthood have taken the educational route to raise public awareness about reproductive health and rights. They work to educate people about sexual health and to mobilize advocates of reproductive rights.

Their adviser is Aaron Kebaugh and he can be contacted at aaron.kebaugh@sfcollege.edu.

The services section for student organizations provides students with a more hands on approach in alleviating and resolving local and national issues which plague despondent peoples.

Students at Santa Fe have recently taken the initiative to introduce the United Way into a Student Body organization appropriately titled Saints United Way. The purpose of Saints United Way is to raise funds and increase volunteer efforts towards resolving pressing community issues within Santa Fe.

The adviser for Saints Untied Way is Caronne Rush and she can be contacted at caronne.rush@sfcollege.edu.

Any students interested in any of these new organizations or any organizations already established can find more information on the first floor of S building. Those looking to make an immediate impact need not look any further and should be encouraged by the vast opportunities available at Santa Fe.