Social Awareness Organizations
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American International Association (AIA) The purpose of AIA is to promote understanding and friendship among all people of the world. It establishes connections within the Wittenberg and Springfield communities among those with international concerns and gives them a base from which to share these interests. The American International Association aims at fostering multicultural awareness by giving students and others an opportunity to reach out to the world. Activities Include: Weekly meetings, cultural presentations, International Week, pub nights and dance festivals. A popular event is the Crossroads food festival, where internationals get together to cook their native dishes. Students visit booths where they find information about each country and taste their dishes. Crossroads allows one to experience dishes originating from countries ranging from Ghana all the way to Sweden. AIA’s flagship event is the Cincinnati cruise formal on the Ohio River. Students get a chance to dance on deck with downtown lights of Cincinnati in the backdrop. This event is always a campus favorite and is attended by many students — American and international. AIA also represents the interests of international students (from approximately 35 countries) on campus, helping students with the adjustments of entry and reentry into this country. It elects an International Senator for Student Senate. Membership: Open membership and invites involvement from all students, faculty, staff and community residents. Body Beautiful Project President: Roxie Patton Adviser: Stephanie Little, Assistant Professor Psychology and Mary Jo Zembar, Professor of Psychology Office Phone: 431-4864 Colleges Against Cancer President: Brittany Helmerick, s09.bhelmerick and Whitney Hull, s09.whull Adviser: Carmiele Wilkerson, Associate Professor of English Office Phone: 327-6127 Colleges against Cancer is an affiliate organization of the American Cancer Society dedicated to raising awareness and preventing cancer through advocacy, support of survivors, cancer education, and the annual Relay for Life. Along with planning the annual Relay for Life celebration fundraiser every April, the club also sponsors events to raise awareness and prevention of cancer. Membership: Open to all students. Concerned Black Students (CBS) The purpose of Concerned Black Students is to bring cultural awareness to Wittenberg’s campus through university-funded programming. CBS addresses concerns and issues of African Americans and acts as an advocate on their behalf. The organization serves to educate the campus as a whole about the enormous contributions of African American culture. CBS also promotes increased race relations through assisting the Office of Admission with the recruitment and retention of African American students. Finally, through cultural, political, social and educational programs, CBS contends to break down the barriers of racism and stereotypes that divide the Wittenberg community to stimulate campus unity. CBS welcomes all in the celebration of African American culture. Activities Include: Various programming events such as speakers, musical performers, poets, the annual Unity March, CBS Walkout and CBS Weekend. As a member of the Black Students Task Force, CBS cross-programs with seven Ohio liberal arts colleges and universities. The organization also cross-programs with the historically black university of Central State. Membership: There are two types. Regular membership shall be granted to every black student matriculating at Wittenberg who registers and has an active interest in the organization. Associate membership will be granted to all interested students, faculty, and alumni at Wittenberg who actively participate in CBS functions. Conservation Club The Conservation Club is a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting conservation efforts within the campus community and the surrounding Springfield community. This is achieved through events such as an annual plant sale during the fall semester, an Earth Week celebration during the spring semester, and environmental speakers, forums, and trips planned throughout the year. Membership: Open membership. Feminist Union President: Kathleen Solar, s08.ksolar Adviser: Tammy Proctor, Associate Professor of History Office Phone: 327-7841 We seek to promote gender equality through discussion, education, and political action in academic and social spheres. As feminists, we seek to better understand issues, theories, and practices of contemporary feminism. Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) The purpose of this organization is to provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere for gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered (GLBT) students at Wittenberg. The group also works to promote understanding of and education of issues related to GLBT students and to in general, decrase the diversity present on campus. Membership: Consists of two categories: Full membership and associate membership. Full membership will be open to all Wittenberg students, faculty and staff. To be considered a full member, the individual must attend 50% of weekly meetings and sanctioned GSA events (at the officers' discretion). Associate membership is open to non-Wittenberg individuals who wish to help the organization in its mission of education and increased understanding of GLBT issues. Associate membership must be approved by two-thirds of the full members at the current meeting. There are no membership fees. Hispanic Culture Club (HCC) The purpose of HCC is to promote cultural awareness and understanding, to develop and support efforts to recruit and retain Hispanic students, to address Hispanic concerns and issues and to be an advocate on the behalf of Hispanic students, to provide an outlet for the expression of Hispanic culture, and to welcome others in the celebration of Hispanic culture. Membership: Granted to any interested student at Wittenberg University who registers and has an active interest in the organization. March of Dimes President: Jeremy Keller Adviser: Office Phone: Students Taking Action Now, Dammit! (STAND) STAND serves to nurture political and social awareness on Wittenberg’s campus, and to provide opportunities for action based on that awareness. STAND is a member of SEAC (Student Environmental Action Coalition) and works to address issues of social, economic and political justice on campus, in Springfield, and in the global community, provide opportunities for people to take action toward social change, encourage dialogue between students, faculty and staff through forums, teach-ins, and demonstrative actions, form a supportive community of people with similar interests, and promote open-mindedness in the Wittenberg community. Membership: Completely open and nonpartisan. All ideas and suggestions are welcome. Student Global AIDS Campaign (SGAC) The purpose of the Wittenberg Chapter of Student Global AIDS Campaign is to help make the Wittenberg student body more globally aware of the issue concerning Global AIDS. The Student Global AIDS Campaign is a national movement with more than 85 chapters at high schools, colleges, and universities across the United States committed to bringing an end to HIV and AIDS in the U.S. and around the world through education, informed advocacy, media work, and direct action. Wittenberg's Chapter of SGAC makes efforts to make students more educated concerning the devastating effects of the AIDS epidemic and encourage those students who want to be more involved in fighting this disease. SGAC will be an avenue from which students can learn how to work with local and state governments to make their voices be heard and help make their efforts more instrumental in getting our nation to contribute more to this pandemic. Activities Include: Educating students about the global AIDS crisis and their role in fighting it by holding film screenings, lectures, debates, etc. on campus. Lobbying, writing letters, and making phone calls to the President and members of Congress about global AIDS. Utilizing media and direct action by holding rallies and press events to galvanize public opinion in the fight against AIDS. Raising money for and partner with organizations fighting AIDS in the U.S. or abroad. Utilizing public areas to make thought provoking statements about AIDS in the U.S. and among college students. Membership: Completely open to students and concerned faculty who are interested in spreading information and stopping AIDS. All ideas and suggestions are welcome. Up Til Dawn President:Whitney Hull Adviser: Jill Vanuch Office Phone: |