Student Activism
Amy Harrington (aharrin1@swarthmore.edu)

College students, aware of issues that concern and affect them, are in excellent positions to do political action on a local level. In recent years, both right and left wing groups have recognized the need for focusing attention at college-aged students. As a result, on many campuses, along with the standard groups like Student Council and Young Republicans/Democrats, there is a slew of other politically active clubs. In the absence of structured organizations, college campuses also offer a variety of resources that make them an ideal site for activism. For example, student activism regarding apartheid in South Africa resulted in many campuses divesting from coorprations that supported the South African government.
Being educated on all facets of the issue you are concerned about is important for any type of activism, but it is particularly important for scientific issues. If you are to effect change within a community, you have to be able to explain the issue to people who may or may not have a scientific background. This can be accomplished by writing a piece for the school newspaper, leafletting around campus, setting up an information table in a heavily trafficked area on campus, inviting a speaker, or having a panel discussion. The next step, doing an action like a benefit or demonstration, will not work unless other people feel confident enough in their knowledge of the issue to form an opinion.

1. Find a group of people who agree with the issue you are interested in.
Is there already a student group on campus that works on issues similar to the one you want to work on? Consider bringing the idea to them. It may mean having to give up some of the leadership on the project, but you will have the advantage of the network and resouces which that group has already worked to put together.

Is there a national organization that is trying to start a campus organization dealing with the issue you are interested in? Many national organizations have been putting a lot of time and money into campus campaigns. Working with them would give you national resources, and they may be able to supply the funds for start-up costs. These groups all have campus programs:

Student Pugwash www.spusa.org/pugwash/
-This group is an offshoot of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, shich won the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize. Their mission is to promote socially respnsible application of science and technology.

United States Public Interest Researcg Group www.igc.apc.org/
-Along with consumer rights and activity in politics, USPIRG works n a variety or environmental protection issues. Some of the issues they work on include endangered species preservation and pollution.

Center for Environmental Citizenship www.igc.apc.org/cgv/
-This is a group that is dedicated to environmental issues. They offer internships and summer programs for college students. One of their major programs is called Blueprint for a Green Campus, and it contains instructions on how to carry out actions to produce changes on a campus level.

Feminist Majority Foundation www.feminist.org
-This group recently launched a program called Campus Campaign for Choice. One of the chief components is reproductive rights and women's health, such as RU486.

Do you feel as though starting your own organization would be the best idea? Find a group of people who want to work on the issue with you and be a part of the core group. Advertise your first meeting. Put fliers up in dorms and high-trafficked areas. Ask groups with similar philosophies as yours to advertise your group to their members. Once you have membership, make sure that you get recognized by the school as a campus rganization so you can be eligible for funding.

2. Define goal.
Brainstorm. What do you hope to accomplish? Who do you want to reach? What is doable given your budget, time constraints, number of people willing to work on the project?

Education Campaigns
-These are types of events designed to raise awareness about an issue. Invite a speaker, have a film showing, organize a panel discussion, write a letter to the editor of your school newspaper.

Benefits
-These events raise money for a group or cause. Concerts, like Rock for Choicetm, are usually good fundraisers. Dinners, parties, and other forms of entertainment can also be successful.

Actions
-Do something to effect change. Do a letter writing campaign. Organize an informational picket or rally, like Take Back the Night.

3. Do your research.
Find out history anbd currents events related to the issue you are working on.

Know your campus. What is the political climate? What groups have power within the community? Where are monetary resources located?

4. Divide up the work and delegate.

Logistics Finance Publicity

9-10 weeks -Secure a space fr the event.-
Begin looking for speakers, perfomers, etc. depending on the nature of the event. -Look for groups who may want to co-sponsor the event with you, and help you find money. -Start designing posters.-
If you are selling tickets, plan those.

7-8 weeks -Investigate what equiptment will be necessary. (sound, lighting, stage, signs) -Ask groups for donations to curtail the amount of money you need to put out. -Order professional posters.

5-6 weeks -Identify possible volunteers who can help out the day of the event. -Look for other surces of funding. (academic departments, dean's office, president's office, local businesses) -Publicity shuld begin. Put up fliers and posters around campus.

3-4 weeks -Work with the person in charge of finance to make sure you will have enough money for everything you are planning. -Define a realistic budget, given the donations you have received. -Write editorials for you school and local newspaper.-
Secure a jounalist to do a story on the event.

2 weeks -Train volunteers on their general tasks. -If you are selling tickets for the event, begin selling advance tickets. -Ask the radio station to do a public service announcement.-
Continue putting fliers up.

1 week -Do a walk-through of the site with your volunteers. Try to trouble-shoot. -Double check equipment rental details. -Create a large banner and hang it in a high traffic area.

2-3 days -Purchase refreshments if you are planning on providing or selling them. -Keep track of receipts. Warn people to hold onto them when they purchase items for the event. -Visibility should peak the day before the event.

The day of the event -Walk through the schedule with the volunteers. -Help set up equipment. -Decorate the space with fliers and posters.

After the event -Debrief with you group. What worked and what didn't?-
Have a thank-you party for volunteers. -Pay off remaining bills.
-Write thank-you notes to those who offered time and resources.-
Do a follow-up story with your campus newspaper.

	Logistics	Finance	Publicity
9-10 weeks	-Secure a space fr the event.- Begin looking for speakers, perfomers, etc. depending on the nature of the event.	-Look for groups who may want to co-sponsor the event with you, and help you find money.	-Start designing posters.- If you are selling tickets, plan those.
7-8 weeks	-Investigate what equiptment will be necessary. (sound, lighting, stage, signs)	-Ask groups for donations to curtail the amount of money you need to put out.	-Order professional posters.
5-6 weeks	-Identify possible volunteers who can help out the day of the event.	-Look for other surces of funding. (academic departments, dean's office, president's office, local businesses)	-Publicity shuld begin. Put up fliers and posters around campus.
3-4 weeks	-Work with the person in charge of finance to make sure you will have enough money for everything you are planning.	-Define a realistic budget, given the donations you have received.	-Write editorials for you school and local newspaper.- Secure a jounalist to do a story on the event.
2 weeks	-Train volunteers on their general tasks.	-If you are selling tickets for the event, begin selling advance tickets.	-Ask the radio station to do a public service announcement.- Continue putting fliers up.
1 week	-Do a walk-through of the site with your volunteers. Try to trouble-shoot.	-Double check equipment rental details.	-Create a large banner and hang it in a high traffic area.
2-3 days	-Purchase refreshments if you are planning on providing or selling them.	-Keep track of receipts. Warn people to hold onto them when they purchase items for the event.	-Visibility should peak the day before the event.
The day of the event	-Walk through the schedule with the volunteers.	-Help set up equipment.	-Decorate the space with fliers and posters.
After the event	-Debrief with you group. What worked and what didn't?- Have a thank-you party for volunteers.	-Pay off remaining bills.	-Write thank-you notes to those who offered time and resources.- Do a follow-up story with your campus newspaper.