USU Clubs — More Than Extracurricular

[Editor’s note: The creation of the USU Japan Club again brings into focus the engaged activity and dedication of the many clubs at Utah State University. Shortly after forming, the USU Japan Club went into action, developing plans for fundraising efforts for those impacted by the natural disasters being faced in Japan. This week’s feature story looks at the efforts of USU student Kayla Woodring and provides a partial list of the student-led clubs at the university and their accomplishments.]

A 21-year-old Utah State University senior has 21st century ambitions for women based on her grandmother’s 20th century activism.

Kayla Woodring has taken a stand against the abuse of women world-wide. She drew the line when she started a club at USU.

Woodring’s grandmother, born in the 1930s when women were beginning to gain some of the same working rights as men, transferred her passion for women’s issues to her granddaughter, Kayla, who said she felt empowered to go beyond what was expected of her. This led to work as a 24-hour mobile crisis team member for CAPSA (Community Abuse Prevention Services Agency), helping women escape from domestically violent situations. It was her work with CASPA that motivated Woodring to start a USU club, Aggies for Women and Children.

On top of working for CAPSA, Woodring is a Rhodes Scholarship nominee and an Honors student. She is a research fellow completing research projects that focus on the bias in media coverage of U.S. politicians, is the public relations specialist for International Research for the Office of Global Engagement and writes for The Utah Statesman.

USU Honors Program Director Christie Fox said Woodring is not your average student.

“She saw a need on campus and used her own initiative to create a club to fill it,” Fox said. “Her club, Aggies for Women and Children, is a testament to her commitment to improving the lives of all women. She is passionate and articulate and not afraid to stand up for her beliefs. Surely, her grandmother would be proud.”

Although Woodring is proud of her many accomplishments, she speaks most passionately about her service with CAPSA’s mobile crisis team.

Establishing Aggies for Women and Children was something the USU student said she had to do. She wanted to prove to her grandmother that she would help society change and, she felt she owed it to the women she met through CAPSA. The club offers students information on issues such as immigration, human trafficking and sexual abuse in the context of their effect on women and children.

“It is first through awareness that change can take place,” Woodring said.

The club plans to partner with a company in Thailand, Indah Fashion, which was solely created to give women who escaped the sex trade a second chance at life. The survivors work at Indah Fashion, making skirts which, according to Woodring, gives them a safer alternative lifestyle.

An owner of her own Indah Fashion skirt, Woodring said Aggies for Women and Children plans to sell the skirts on campus to generate more jobs for the 100 survivors on a wait list to work for Indah Fashion.

Aggies for Women and Children is just one of the 231 clubs on campus serving others. Kaho Fiefia, Diversity and Organizations vice president, said clubs offer students a way to get involved in campus-life, develop their talents, improve leadership skills, find themselves through service and achieve great things.

For students who wish to become involved in clubs, visit the Student Involvement website. Included there is a list of clubs according to categories and colleges. Or, students can contact the Student Involvement and Leadership Office in the TSC. Room 326, 435-797-2912 or email involvement@aggiemail.usu.edu.

USU Clubs Making a Difference in 2009-2010

Storytellers: Donated $1,700 worth of books and supplies to local Migrant Head Start Preschools.
USU Effects: Collected more than 35,000 books for schools in India and Nepal.
Aggie FACS: Collected more than 1,000 cans of food and donated to food bank.
College Republicans: Helped register 900-plus students to vote.
Colleges Against Cancer: Raised $18,000 to go toward cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services, honored 26 cancer survivors, engaged more than 28 clubs, involved more than 300 USU students.
Aggie Recyclers: Collected more than five truckloads of used goods from on campus housing and sold them to the community to raise money for sustainability projects.
The National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association: Over the past four years donated 4,000 books for ESL programs around the world. Accomplished three humanitarian trips to Mexico.
Aggie Special Olympics: Helped prepare and sponsor two athletes from Cache Valley to compete in the Special Olympics World Games.
Aggies for Change: Raised almost $1,000 in change and donated to the Student Nutrition Access Center.
Freedom Christian Fellowship: Helped international students and families in transition by providing free housing, food, bedding, clothing, furniture and kitchen supplies.
Big Band Swing Club: Held a benefit dance and raised $1,200 for a historic dance hall.
Engineers Without Borders: Made four trips to three countries (Mexico, Peru and Uganda) to provide sustainable engineering projects that improved the lives of nearly 500 people.
Stuff-a-Bus: Donated 10,400 cans of food to help needy families.
Pi Sigma Alpha: Raised money and bought a water buffalo for people in the Philippines to help them work in the fields.
Young Americans for Liberty: Sponsored two weekly classes, aimed to educate the community on the U.S. Constitution, the proper role of government and how to get involved in politics locally, statewide, nationwide, etc.
Forestry Club and the College of Natural Resources Student Council: Raised more than $700 to help three Guatemalan natural resource students attend college in Central America.
Alpha Tau Alpha: Provided more than 200 hours of service building kits for “Utah Agriculture in the Classroom.” These kits are used in elementary and secondary schools to teach young people about food, fiber and natural resources.
Society of Physics Students: Taught 3,600 elementary school students about Physics.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers: Established professor/student study sessions so students could pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.
Aggie Radio: Stuff-A-Studio collected over 75 lbs. of non-perishable food items for needy families and students in Cache Valley.
Amnesty International Club: Signed 241 postcards calling on President Obama to close Guantanamo Bay and ensure accountability for torture.
Golden Key International Honour Society: Participated in the CHAMP Program, mentoring over 50 underprivileged high school students to help motivate them to attend college.
Phi Alpha Theta: Assisted annually with the Baby Animal Days at the American West Heritage Center.
Sustainability Club: Gave out 220 vegan brownies.
Service Learning: Sponsored student capstone projects such as Biggest Loser.
Entomology Club: Participated in Baby Animal Days and What’s New at the Zoo and plans to begin harvesting honey in 2011 with a percentage of profits going to the Boys and Girls Club.
Black Student Union: Hosted The World Aids Day Carnival to make USU students aware of the negative effects of Aids.
American Student Association: Working on 20 different service projects throughout the world.

“Clubs give students an opportunity to be a positive change in society and at Utah State University.” — Kaho Fiefia, ASUSU Diversity and Organizations vice president

Contact/writer: Kayla Hall, 435-797-2759, kayla.hall@usu.edu