As Penn State nears the end of a two-year phase-in of changes in safety, financial and administrative policies for club sports, many groups say the system is now more cumbersome and difficult.

Members of the clubs, some of which have existed for decades, say they now face stricter regulations and longer waiting periods to access club funds and a new yearly reactivation process. Additionally, club sports classified at a certain risk level must have "safety officers" certified in first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillation present at all club practices and events.

"It just seems like there's more paperwork, more red tape to run the club, to do what we want to do," Dave Matlin, president of the cycling club, said.

The changes began in 2004 after a task force of university officials investigated club sports.

Stan Latta, director of unions and student activities and a task force member, said the committee recommended that club sports be reorganized under a new director and that increased measures be taken to ensure students' safety.

"If we are aware of the risks in this environment, then we need to control those risks," he said, adding that Penn State's safety regulations fell behind those at other schools.

Peter Parcell, director of club sports at Northwestern University, said similar regulations had been added in the past two years at Northwestern.

"These trends are out here in the industry across the country," he said.

However, club sports directors at Ohio State and Michigan State universities said club sports are allowed to keep money they raise in external bank accounts, and there was no required number of safety officers at practices, but an athletic trainer is required for events.

Matlin said the biggest issue for his club was the new safety officer requirement at Penn State.

"We're already required to have EMTs on the scene, so having a safety officer on the scene doesn't help things," he said.

Sean Hannan, president of the sailing club, which has existed since the 1970s, said that while he can understand why the safety officer requirement was added, he does not think it is necessary.

"It was always just assumed that wherever you were, someone would be there to take care of [an injury]," he said.

Club Sports Director Erin Regenfuss said students could receive all required certifications through a university-sponsored class for $16. Hannan said certifications from outside vendors usually cost about $50.

Rifle Team President Jason Allshouse said it now takes longer for the team to get reimbursed financially, but it has managed to adjust to the new policies.

John Dixon, president of the crew club, said he supported the new regulations.

"In the past, you'd have students running all that paperwork, all that finances. It's just trouble," he said.

Some club presidents said they strongly disagreed with the new policies but were unwilling to comment publicly because of possible retribution from the administration.

Jill Leidy, associate treasurer of Associated Student Activities (ASA), said all club sports purchases now reach ASA through the club sports director. She said in the past, club sports worked directly with ASA.

"It was an adjustment," she said. "I know it was definitely hard for students."

Some club sports members thought the changes occurred because some groups were using club funds to purchase alcohol, but Leidy said it is illegal to use ASA account money to purchase alcohol under either system.

Latta said the task force recommended routing budget requests through Regenfuss to ensure that clubs were in compliance with university policies. He cited previous club sports purchases of used equipment, which might not be safe.

Regenfuss, who tries to approve all budget requests within five days, said there had been some delays in the past because clubs had not provided all required information. She said requests are approved as long as they fall within the officer manual guidelines.

Regenfuss said that while clubs would have to make changes to adapt to the regulations, the new system is more organized.

"It gives them a very clear set of standards," she said.