An unusual amount of students jumped to new clubs in fall 2019. A substantial number of students decided to jump from their social clubs to new clubs in hopes of finding a new community. What was once a taboo topic in the past, became the new normal in fall 2019. Senior Haley Grizzell jumped to women's social club Pi Theta Phi (PTP). She said it started out as a joke between some friends, but then some others heard the joke and encouraged her to actually jump. From there, Grizzell said it was an organic transition. She said when she walked through campus, she would have a conversation with women in PTP for five or 10 minutes, never stopping at the surface level. "There was one day I was having a bad day during club week and broke down," Grizzell said. "A group of girls [in PTP] circled around me and prayed. It's just the aspect of prayer and faith that you see God in all of the members." Junior Carter Shields jumped to men's social club Knights. He said most of his friends were in Knights, and he had wanted to jump since freshman year, but he went abroad in the fall of his sophomore year. Shields said jumping was not as bad as he thought it would be. He said he initially felt like he was severing ties, but because there were many other people jumping, it was worth it. Shields and four others were voted into Knights in September 2019 as members but voluntarily chose to go through club week as new members. "It was definitely emotional and scary, but it was worth it," Shields said. "I feel like I can be myself more. Knights is good about accepting people for who they really are." Senior Britny Kirkpatrick planned to graduate in December 2019 but still jumped to women's social club Delta Nu in her final semester. One of her friends also joked about her jumping and encouraged her to "go out with a bang." She told the president of Delta Nu, senior Danielle Turner, on a Tuesday; met with Kara Abston, assistant dean of students, on Wednesday; and then Delta Nu voted her in to the club on Thursday. Kirkpatrick said it was a fast process. She said the big group that had already jumped influenced her. Kirkpatrick said she was intimidated by jumping but believed it was worth the risk. "I do not regret it in the slightest," Kirkpatrick said. "All the girls have been so sweet and welcoming and loving. I feel like I've already made all these remarkable friendships. I said in my jump letter, 'Worst thing that happens is I make 60 new friends and then graduate.' Even if people do judge me for jumping, it's my last semester." story by Ashlyn Quesinberry social clubs 7 5
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