Melinda de L'Eveille - St. Clair GSA at Open House

Eri Spotton, president of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance at St. Clair College, sits by the GSA’s booth at the college’s open house. Posted to St. Clair GSA’s social media, photo by Melinda de L’Eveille.

St. Clair GSA first club to appear at college’s open house

By Melinda de L’Eveille

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St. Clair College allowed the newly formed Gender and Sexuality Alliance to attend its Nov. 12 open house, marking one of the first times any club has been allowed to participate in the event.

“I know for us, it was a very good opportunity,” said Eri Spotton, President of the St. Clair GSA. “We wanted to show the future students of St. Clair what possibilities there are at the college and what supports there are for them to be able to seek.”

On Oct. 28 the club reached out to St. Clair College’s recruitment office, requesting to participate in the event.

“I thought it was a big opportunity for future students of St. Clair to be able to see what is out there,” said Spotton. “GSA, having a presence at the open house opened up an opportunity to a lot of people who did not realize that the GSA was back up and running.”

In a Nov. 3 reply, the college’s recruitment office responded stating that they were interested in having the club present at its open house.

“We felt it was important for future prospective students and visitors to see and find out more information about the GSA,” said Ayla Kalayci, a recruitment officer at St. Clair College. “But also to see that there are student clubs or organizations that new students can identify with and be a part of.”

Bookmarks spread across a black tablecloth, both a St. Clair GSA logo and an SRC logo are visible on one of the bookmarks. Posted to St. Clair GSA’s social media, photo by Melinda de L’Eveille.

On Nov. 12, the GSA made history, attending a booth at the main campus.

“It was very well received,” said Spotton. “We were met with a lot of people who were interested and did not know of the presence of the club and showed quite a bit of excitement towards the club being around.”

When asked if other clubs had been allowed to have a presence at the open house, Kalayci stated that the college traditionally hadn’t had student clubs or student sales present.

“We have had requests for student-led clubs that wanted to participate but for selling items which can be done at any other event,” said Kalayci. “Open House is an event and opportunity to showcase what the College has to offer in terms of programs, facilities, labs, and learning spaces in addition to choosing St. Clair over another College.”

Kalayci went on to explain the college’s reasoning for wanting the club's presence.

“Having the GSA present and visible ̶ could lead a student to choose St. Clair over another college, to see that they do belong and have common voice and space,” said Kalayci.

The College’s recruitment office has stated that they are interested in having the GSA present at more open houses.

“I would love for the GSA to be present for future open houses,” said Kalayci. “As again I believe that it is important for anyone to be educated but also for inclusivity and awareness.”

When asked about the club's plans to attend again, Spotton, indicated that they were also interested in expanding their presence.

“In the future, we will make an effort to have ourselves present ̶ at not only on the main campus but to have someone representing us at the downtown campus as well,” Spotton added.