The Fencing Club, a program in its infancy, may not be congregating this semester.

The deadline to register with the Office of Student Programs Leadership Development, OSPLD, was Oct. 19, and the Fencing Club president, Karin Skoog, has yet to contact the Club Sports department with any registration inquiries.

“It’s disappointing,” said Club Sports Coordinator Adrian Wise. “People are interested in participating, but there’s no feedback from the president.”

A group of about five people were part of the initial start of the club, which began last spring. The club was meant to cater to both beginners and advanced fencers, with different groups focusing on different techniques depending on skill level. Competition was another focus of the Fencing Club.

“Some clubs want to be social, and some want to be competitive,” Wise said. “We’re here to facilitate.”

The Club Sports department’s main purpose is to help mainly student run organizations. With recent budget issues hovering among all members of both the Recreational Sports Program (RSP) and Club Sports, it is getting harder to provide students with all the help and money they may need.

“The budget cuts could indirectly affect everyone,” Wise said. “We can’t fund personnel.”

Currently, fencing is one of eight Club Sports on campus, which also include men’s and women’s volleyball, swimming, jogging, Tae Kwon Do, Wushu, Ultimate Frisbee, and sailing. If President Robert Corrigan approves the $7 increase to student fees, the RSP is hoping to fully fund 20 Club Sports by the 2008-09 school year. If the fee is not approved, the program will not be able to fund any of the clubs.

According to a proposed RSP budget revised in late August, the sports program wants to allocate $5,000 to Club Sports for tourney fees, referees, conference dues and guest speakers by next year, which RSP has not been able to do. By year five in 2011, RSP is projecting $20,000 a year in the Club Sports budget, according to the proposal.

With the Fencing Club, the budget is not the main issue when it comes to continuation.

“We're looking for longevity,” said Ajani Byrd, Director of RSP. “It’s not for everyone. Volleyball, swimming, and Tae Kwon Do are more dedicated.”

Because of the lack of communication from the Fencing Club president, there may be allowance for other programs to be established.

“Some don’t fall under our umbrella, but we’ve been contacted about surfing, flag football, tennis, golf, rugby, and badminton,” Byrd said.

As of now, even if clubs register later than the deadline, they have the same benefits as if they registered on time, but in the future that could change because of the budget issues.

“They lose on supplemental funding,” Byrd said. “If they don’t register, they wont get funding.”