Mustang Daily Staff Report
news@mustangdaily.net
Cal Poly’s on-campus housing communities are raising money for the victims of the Oklahoma tornado tragedy through a change drive, which will last through the end of the school year.
“By students participating in service their first and second years of college, University Housing hopes residents can continue a pattern of giving back to the community during their college years and beyond,” Associate Director of Residential Life and Education Suzanne Fritz said.
And students want to get involved when they see a tragedy such as the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma unfold, Fritz said.
On campus, students put change in large jugs at the front desks of each living area, and staff also takes jugs around to student rooms to collect change during building walks. In addition, individual communities may decide to do different incentives or competitions to raise more money, Fritz said.
“By participating in community service events, students develop a greater understanding of community issues and insights into the diverse needs in the San Luis Obispo area,” Fritz said. “Service is a great way for Cal Poly students to Learn by Doing while giving back to the area they live in.”
Though there is not a specific goal in place, past change drives have raised between $300 and $1,500 and the various communities are using different strategies to raise money.
“Monetary donations allow organizations like Red Cross and other disaster relief agencies to get supplies and services to people in need in the quickest and most efficient manner,” Fritz said.
University Housing staff decided to do the change drive after watching the news, Fritz said.
“Since this is such a stressful academic time for students, it was decided that the change drive would allow residents to make a positive contribution without having to put in a large time commitment,” Fritz said.
In addition to this fundraising motion, University Housing staff works with students throughout the year to plan fundraisers and other community service activities including food and blood drives.
This past academic year, on-campus residents donated 936 pints of blood to people in medical need in the county, $5,700 to local food banks through a skipped campus meal from student meal plans, and more than $10,000 worth of food and thousands of pounds of clothing donated to those in need.
“As a group, our freshman class is well connected and has comes together to make some stuff happen, not only for Oklahoma victims, but also for anyone else in need,” English freshman Sam Shrader said. “You feel like you are involved and are also giving back to people who need it.”
Hillary Kaiser contributed to this staff report.