There are many organizations on Baylor University’s campus that students can join to better serve themselves and the campus as a whole. Specifically, for freshman, the Freshman Class Council is a great organization that benefits not only Baylor, but the Waco community.
An application posted in early August on Baylor Student Activities website provides incoming freshman information on how to apply and all that the council does. The deadline to apply is midnight Sept. 10. After completing the application, students will go through a group interview process to become selected members.
“The Freshman Class Council is absolutely beneficial,” Spartanburg, S.C. senior Clara Ruth West said of the organization, which she directed last year. “It’s a way to connect freshman with other freshman, and create a community where students can make friends and connections.”
The Freshman Class Council hosts a variety of events, and experiences for its students, over the course of the year that raise funds for local and national philanthropies. This fall, freshman of the council will have the opportunity to walk with the Baylor Bear balloon in the Homecoming parade. In early December, the council will host a fundraiser with the annual event, Christmas on 5th Street.
In the last week of November Christmas trees will line Fountain Mall and organizations across campus can purchase a tree to enter in to a decorating contest. The winning tree will be selected during Christmas on 5th Street and the proceeds of the fundraiser will go to the winning organization’s philanthropy. Previous winners have included Zeta Tau Alpha’s Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation and the World Hunger Relief Farm located in Waco.
In the spring the FCC hosts the annual Gut Pack Run where students and members of the community gather in tradition to run from Baylor’s campus to Vitek’s Barbeque, eat the popular “gut pack” meal, and run back to the finish line on campus. This is a popular fundraiser that benefits Mission Waco.
“I signed up to receive emails from their booth at Late Night because it seemed like this was the best organization to bring freshman together as a unit,” Brentwood, Calif. freshman Allie Spratto said. “It seems like one of the best opportunities to get involved!”
Students that have been involved with the FCC have experienced their first year of college unlike most freshman at other universities.
“In terms of transitioning students into their first year, FCC is absolutely the way to do it,” West said.
