Criminal Justice Club promotes interaction and engagement with law enforcement

STORY BY SHIANNE FIGGE

For freshmen, it can be difficult to find clubs to join on campus that one finds interesting since there are so many clubs a student can join. Some clubs are more well known than others based on membership. I held an interview with the coordinator of the Center for Student Involvement, Brittney Squire, to get a list of some clubs that are more well known and some that are less well known. According to Squire, the Criminal Justice Club is a well known club on FHSU’s campus based on their membership.

According to Dr. Tamara Lynn, the faculty advisor of the Criminal Justice Club, the Criminal Justice Club meets every Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. in Rarick 114.

Dr. Lynn also described what activities the Criminal Justice Club is involved in.

“The Criminal Justice Club is engaged in a variety of activities, including those that we host as well as supporting other organizations,” she said.

Lynn also named some of the activities that the club hosts that benefit the community. The first activity she mentioned was Cookies with Cops. The purpose of Cookie with Cops is to promote strong relationships between area law enforcement personnel with the local and campus community.  This event is scheduled to take place in April 2019. Lynn also mentioned that they engage in numerous service activities. She provided two examples including a donation drive for the Options Domestic & Sexual Violence Services shelter house and club members who also volunteer at the annual Court Appointed Special Advocates Valentine Banquet & Silent Auction.

The club hosts a Criminal Justice Career Fair, which is scheduled for October 25 from 8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.  Following the event, mock interviews will be scheduled with some agencies such as law enforcement agencies, court services, probation/parole, prisons, non-profit agencies, and family service agencies from 1– 4 p.m.  

The Criminal Justice Club hosts two fundraisers; a murder mystery dinner and a Krispy Kreme Doughnut fundraiser. The donut fundraiser has already passed, but the next murder mystery dinner (A Dinner to Die For) is scheduled for October 27.  Those who are interested in attending can contact the Department of Criminal Justice at 785-628-5668 or email Tamara Lynn at tjlynn@fhsu.edu to purchase tickets.

Dr. Lynn also mentioned the club’s recruitment strategy.

“The club recruits members at the back-to-school picnic; officers visit criminal justice classes the first week of school to invite students to our back-to-school bash (informational session that includes food and an activity); our back-to-school bash, which is advertised on TigerLink and included in the list of first-40 days activities, is open to all majors; and regularly throughout the school year by word of mouth,” Lynn said.

Dr. Lynn mentions many reasons to get involved with the Criminal Justice Club, including its national accolades and service opportunities.

“The Criminal Justice Club is an award winning organization.  Members are active on campus and in the community. In addition, members have the opportunity to join the American Criminal Justice Association – Lambda Alpha Epsilon (LAE), which is a national organization,” Lynn said. “Members also engage in service activities at the national conference to give back to the community of which we are visiting. Club members learn valuable leadership and communication skills through networking with professionals from across the criminal justice system. In addition, members are building their resumes and securing references to benefit their future careers.”

The next Criminal Justice Club meeting is Tuesday October 16th in Rarick Hall 114 at 6:30pm.

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