Page 2 • Reporter
News
Tuesday, September 21, 2010T
Changing children’s lives Opportunities Sigma Sigma Sigma hosts BBQ to raise money for hospitalized youth
ALEXI ROSKOM
staff writer
Philanthropy thrived among college students this weekend in Highland Park when the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority at Minnesota State hosted its first annual barbeque in support of the Robbie Page Memorial. Family, friends, community members and fellow Greek chapters were in attendance to help assist in changing the lives of children. Robbie Page died of polio at the age of five in 1951; his mother was Tri-Sigma’s National President. In 1954, the Tri-Sigma sorority established the memorial to commemorate the loss
of a fellow sister’s child. The original purpose of the memorial supported polio research projects, including the Salk vaccine trials. After a cure for polio was discovered, Tri-Sigma shifted its compassion and efforts to help play therapy programs for hospitalized children. Play therapy is a natural selfguided, self-healing process for children to express their feelings and experiences, focusing on the developmental needs of children. Today, the Robbie Page Memorial raises money for play therapy at Children’s Medical Center Dallas in Texas and North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill. The Tri-Sigma BBQ
submitted photo Other fraternities and sororities helped support Tri-Sigma at the BBQ.
raised $900 to contribute to the cause of changing lives of children. “Sigma Serves Children,” the motto of their organization, is living up to its words by the success of the event through the strong bonds of sisterhood and philanthropy. Erin Bruesehoff, a member of Tri-Sigma Sorority at MSU, said, “Supporting children through our philanthropy is important through the Memorial’s two hospitals and raising money locally brings awareness to the community.” The Minnesota Gambling Control Board revised nonprofit organization laws on generated revenues in May 2010, putting taxexempt restrictions on these organizations to fill out extra paperwork, obtain permits and follow fundraising guidelines. The challenging part is that it takes about six months to fill out the paperwork and receive the proper permit to conduct fundraising events as a nonprofit organization. There are lawful ways for nonprofit organizations to raise money without a permit; however, those organizations which have the status to be recognized as a nonprofit should not have to wait for half a year to have raffles or bingo at a philanthropy event to support admirable causes for helping others. Challenges made the Robbie Page Memorial event success that much sweeter.
BBQ / page 6
across oceans Fall Study Abroad Fair today
MEGAN KADLEC
staff writer
Minnesota State will be hosting the fall Study Abroad Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday on the main floor of the Centennial Student Union. Seventeen different organizations and faculty members who are leading programs will be present to talk to students about study abroad opportunities. Faculty members from the modern languages and business departments will be presenting several international opportunities. Presented by the Kearney International Center, the fair will feature several prospects for students to study internationally, including programs in Italy, France, the UK and South Africa, among numerous other countries. Spanish majors can study in Costa Rica and Ecuador, while business students can participate in exchange programs in Finland, Germany and the Netherlands. “The reasons [for organizing this fair] are twofold,” said Director of the International Center, Caryn Lindsay. “One, to promote study abroad as an option to students and two, to let them that to faculty leaders and program organizers face to
face.” The possibilities for studying abroad are endless. Students can travel to nearly any country they wish. The only limitations come when a country is either deemed unsafe or it has not been accredited for study abroad programs. Both Lindsay and her office worker, Sheena Sovell, believe that studying abroad is an excellent experience to learn. “You learn so much about yourself. You really change as a person, and it’s always for the better,” said Sovell, a student in the biology department who recently travelled to Ecuador for an ecology and conservation program. Students have the opportunity to choose the length of their international stay, as programs range from merely 10 days to an entire academic year. Lindsay would like to reinforce the idea that there are study abroad programs offered that will work for any budget. Whether a student has the money to spend a year in Australia, or 10 days in Mexico, the fair offers something for everyone. “It’s great to just have the option to dream about different possibilities,” said Lindsay.
NOW HIRING!
Part-time Positions as a Phone Fundraiser 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 5:30 - 10:00 p.m.
$9.50/hr.
Bi-Weekly Sales Bonus & Incentives
Undergraduate Research Grants are available! Deadline: Monday, October 4, 2010
Free grant writing workshops: Tuesday, September 21 2 pm – 3 pm in CSU 253/4/5
Stop in and apply today at: 219 Maxfield, Mankato (off N. Riverfront Dr. behind the Holiday Station) or apply online at: flsconnect.com (507) 388-5996 EOE
FLSConnect.com
Wednesday, September 22 6 pm – 7 pm in CSU 253/4/5
Grant applications available at www.mnsu.edu/urc Questions? Contact us at urc@mnsu.edu