Published or Revised October 20, 2011
Various clubs and societies have been organized to meet the extra-curricular needs of Paris Junior College students. These organizations give students the opportunity to become involved in planning activities, developing leadership qualities, developing individual interests, and receiving recognition for accomplishments.
Student activity organizations are open to all students. However, certain curriculum-oriented clubs may limit their membership to students enrolled in that curriculum, and other clubs may require a member to maintain a certain scholastic average.
Students are encouraged to initiate and develop organizations consistent with the purposes and philosophy of Paris Junior College. The procedures for organizing a new club may be obtained from the Student Life Office in the J.R. McLemore Student Center.
This organization is open to all students who wish to promote awareness and mutual respect for the contributions and concerns of persons of African-American heritage.
The club participates in campus activities, attends cultural functions, and develops special ethnic-related programs.
The Paris Junior College Ex-Student Association was organized May 28, 1934. The purpose of this organization was to develop and maintain a loyalty to, and spirit of service for Paris Junior College among the former students. The name of the organization has been changed to the PJC Alumni and Friends Association.
On May 30, 1944, Ex-Student Association members created the Paris Junior College Memorial Foundation as a memorial to former students who lost their lives in World War II. The Foundation today awards hundreds of scholarships each year to PJC students from endowments exceeding $11 million.
Paris Junior College sponsors basketball, volleyball and fast pitch softball for women, and baseball, golf and basketball for men. The college is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Region XIV Athletic Conference. College athletic scholarships are available in all sports.
The Bat is the college newspaper. In addition to courses of instruction, journalism students report for and edit this publication for credit. Student editors and staff writers are responsible for the reporting of campus life, as well as issues of broader appeal. This student newspaper is a major communications tool, informing the college service area of the numerous activities and newsworthy events taking place during the school year. The Bat is published every two weeks during the spring and fall semesters.
All students are eligible to participate in performing arts activities at Paris Junior College. These activities consist of being in plays, working behind the scenes in plays, singing in the College Chorale and Chamber Singers, or playing in the instrumental ensemble.
To participate in music activities students must enroll in appropriate one- or two-semester hour classes. Enrollment in an appropriate drama class is invited, but not required, for participation in play productions.
Students interested in drama activities are encouraged to join Delta Psi Omega, the PJC drama club. The club engages in a variety of educational and social activities each semester. Students should check with the Fine Arts faculty for further information.
The Foyer Gallery in the Visual Art Building provides guest artist and student exhibitions, and lectures of special interest during the fall and spring semesters. All students, faculty and staff, and the general public, are invited to attend the exhibits and lectures free of charge.
Open to all who are interested in the Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration field. Develops industry awareness and student success.
This organization is open to all students interested in Hispanic countries and life styles. The club participates in campus activities, sponsors an international film festival, and develops programs that lead to cultural awareness and student success. The club meets every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.
The informal sports program involves a process of self-directed participation. It is an individualized approach to sport that allows students to participate for fun and fitness. A current PJC ID card is required for admission to the Old Gymnasium and Weight and Fitness Center, during informal sport hours, Sunday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Paris Junior College offers coed cheerleading. Scholarships are available. Tryouts are held each spring for the following year.
The intramural sports program provides structured, competitive and non-competitive sport opportunities for men, women and co-intramural participants. The program offers a variety of tournaments for students, faculty and staff. The program does not require the intensified training and high degree of skill associated with varsity athletics. An individual’s playing ability is not considered as important as his/her desire to enter into the true spirit of competition and good sportsmanship.
A few of the sports organized for Paris Junior College students, faculty and staff are basketball, volleyball, flag football, tennis and softball. Information concerning these and other sports may be obtained from the Student Activities Coordinator in the Student Center.
The Nursing Students Association of Paris Junior College is affiliated with the Texas Nursing Students’ Association and the National Student Nurses’ Association. The purpose of this organization is to foster pre-professional growth as a nurse. Bi-monthly meetings are held and efforts are made to insure that nursing students are aware of development at all levels: local, state and national. Contact the nursing department (Paris campus) for more information.
Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda Inc. (FBLA-PBL) is the oldest and largest organization for students preparing for careers in business leadership. FBLA-PBL prepares for “real world” professional experiences. Members gain the competitive edge for college and career success.
Phi Theta Kappa is the only national scholastic honor society for junior colleges recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges. It was founded in 1918, and a local chapter has been at PJC since 1932. Its purpose is the promotion of scholarship, development of leadership and service, and cultivation of fellowship among students.
To be eligible for membership, a student must have completed one long-term semester at Paris Junior College, must have accumulated 12 semester hours (exclusive of developmental courses), have a grade point average of 3.5, and be within the upper scholastic 10 percent of the regularly enrolled student body.
To maintain active membership, a student must be regularly enrolled each semester with a minimum of 3 semester credit hours, and at the end of any given semester must have a grade point ratio of 3.0, which is a “B.”
A student council was formed in 1937. The organization and constitution were reorganized in 1970, and renamed the Student Government Association with the executive officers elected by the student body. Vice presidents of all student organizations automatically are members of the student governing body. The chief duties of the Student Government Association, working with the faculty and administration, are: conducting student elections, arranging the social calendar for the year, providing equitable representation within the student association of each student organization, discussion of campus affairs as they pertain to student life, and planning the course of action for implementation of these activities and programs.
This governmental agency provides policy-making decisions over all student organizations and serves to promote better relations between the administration and the students and to protect the best interests of the students. The Student Government Association holds membership in the Texas Junior College Student Government Association.