Settle in by Helping Out: Showcasing Service Opportunities

Published: September 07, 2012 | Author: Jennifer Burt | Read Time: 3 minutes

In an effort to ease the trepidation that can often accompany the changes and excitement of the a new school year, SUU’s Community Engagement Center is sponsoring a week full of activities aimed at helping students get acquainted with one another and the many opportunities to contribute to settle in amongst the local community through service. This year, Community Engagement Week will run from Monday, September 10, through Friday, September 14.

Events begin on Monday evening at 5 p.m. with Bread & Soup Nite, to be held in the Sharwan Smith Student Center Ballroom. The first of many that will take place throughout the year, this reoccurring event offers all-you-can-eat bread, soup and dessert and features various kinds of live entertainment. The cost is $2 when accompanied by a non-perishable food donation or $3 without. Donations are used to support the campus HOPE Pantry.

On Tuesday, in honor of Patriot Day, a special flag ceremony will take place at the Carter Carillon bell tower at 11:15 a.m. in remembrance of the fateful events of September 11, 2001. Later, in observation of this year’s National Day of Service, a community-wide service project will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Participants will gather in the parking lot across from the Gibson Science Center (200 South 300 West) and paint fire hydrants and curbs around SUU’s campus, making them a bit brighter and our community a lot safer. The project will conclude with free pizza and drinks.

Service-oriented events continue on Wednesday, September 12, with a Volunteer Fair in the Sharwan Smith Center Living Room from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Various community organizations in need of volunteers will participate, many offering prizes and giveaways for those in attendance.

Turning again to the student engagement side of things, SUU faculty, staff and veteran students will host a speed dating-style information session on Thursday, September 13, in the Sharwan Smith Center Starlight Room from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The come-and-go event will focus on ways that students can become more involved in the campus community and highlight the positive outcomes that increased involvement can yield. Light refreshments and prizes will be offered.

Also on Thursday, the Student Alliance of Interfaith Leaders (SAIL) will sponsor a dinner and mingle session as part of their Food and Faiths initiative. SUU students of all faiths are invited to attend and establish new friendships while gaining exposure to different faith-based cultures and traditions. The dinner will begin at 5 p.m. in the St. Jude’s Episcopal Church at 70 North and 200 West and is free of charge.

Dogs for Democracy will wrap things up on Friday, September 14, combing hotdogs and politics in a free lunch and information session on the Business Quad from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event, co-sponsored by SUUSA and the Leavitt Center for Politics & Public Service, will provide information on current issues and candidates as well as voter registration stations to help students prepare for the upcoming election season.

For more information on these events or to become involved with the SUU Community Engagement Center, contact the office at (435) 865-8335, visit www.suu.edu/community or check out the center’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/SUUCEC.

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