Habitat for Humanity -Jack Fennimore
The UM Chapter of Habitat for Humanity is a student-run organization whose mission is to help people around the Milwaukee area in poverty or substandard housing situations. Their activities include their recent fundraiser at Qdoba, refurbishing furniture at the Restore, tilling the soil and mulch at the Urban Ecology Center, painting birdhouses at the Milwaukee Catholic Home and more. One of their biggest events is traveling to somewhere in the US over spring break and building or refurbishing homes for people in need.
I was a member for a year, and I can tell you with full confidence that I recommend joining this organization. The people involved come from a variety of backgrounds and are all united under their love of helping the community. It feels great to contribute to the community, while also having fun with friends. You can even earn a certificate along with your graduation diploma if you complete at least 75 hours through the Student Service Record Program.
The next general body meeting is April 7 and 8 at 7:30 pm in Union 179. Join the organization’s Facebook page for more information.
Mock Trial Competition Program -Dayton Hamann
UW-Milwaukee’s Mock Trial Competition Program, part of the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA), is one of the oldest mock trial programs in the nation. Here Pre-law students, as well as students of other majors, work together to participate in accurate depictions of United States courtroom procedures. Members take on the roles of witnesses, attorneys, and others to simulate each part of a United States court case. The mock trials actually use a clone of the Federal Rules of Evidence, making each experience as realistic as possible.
Members are coached by UWM Lecturer Brad Bloch. Competition seasons begin each fall and involve participating in several competitions at other universities in the region throughout the spring. Participants are highly encouraged to take the Mock Trial I and II courses in conjunction with their membership, but they are not required to do so.
“I would most certainly encourage those interested to join next season,” says member Alex Gill. “Even if prospective members don’t have an interest in law or political science, the skills learned are invaluable in any occupation. In Mock Trial, one learns how to think logically and analytically [and] strengthens their public speaking and confidence skills.”
If you are interested in joining the Mock Trial Competition Program here at UW-Milwaukee, be sure to contact the Political Science Department for more information.
Production Club -Sydney Zahradka
Have you ever wondered how the Hollywood hotshots managed to create your favorite movies? Ever wanted to learn filmmaking, but were too shy to take a film class? Want to network with some of your creative peers? Have no fear, because have I got the student organization for you. UWM’s Production Club is a collection of some of the most talented student filmmakers who come together to make a movie every year. It’s written, directed, produced, and made entirely by the student members! The club’s goal is to familiarize students with a filmmaking community through introduction and practice. Every member is given a specific role in one of the many departments on set, from lighting to set design, to continuity (preventing the film from having a ‘Goofs’ page on IMDB). If you’re even a little bit curious about making some movie magic of your own, this is the place to be! All students are welcome.
You can read more about Production Club through their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Decode -Bo Bayerl
Decode is a student organization on campus that is still in its beginning stages. It is mainly for Digital Studio Practice majors, but is also open to anyone interested in new media, arts and technology. The group’s mission statement reads, “to engage with and build a community around new media discourses and materials.”
Decode lets students decide possible activities on a quarterly basis. These types of activities range from curatorial student screenings and exhibits, as well as show and tells, and teach-ins with faculty or members of the community. For example, one of their most recent workshops back in March was with Bryan Cera, who is an artist, designer, and maker from Milwaukee. He is the Assistant Professor of Digital Media at Cardinal Stritch University. This particular workshop focused on basic vinyl cutting, plotting and circuit board fabrication.
According to Wyatt Tinder, one of the four club officers, four student members were featured in the Union Art Gallery’s “Interface: Meetings of Art and Technology” exhibition in January and February.
“Although we are a new organization, we have been able to provide three exciting workshops with prominent national and international artists this past semester,” Tinder says. “Though we are small, we are starting to have a presence on campus.”
As of right now, there are no requirements to become a member. Just show up at the next meeting, which will be on April 10 at 3 pm in Mitchell Hall Room B43. If you cannot make this meeting, the last meeting of this semester will be on May 8 at 3 pm also in Mitchell Hall Room B43.
Student Veterans of America at UWM -Mary Jo Contino
UWM is a huge recruiter of veteran students. In fact, more veterans attend UWM than any other four year school in a six state region, according to the UWM veterans website. The Student Veterans of America is a nationwide organization, and UWM’s chapter has been around since 2011. It services military veterans to help support their academic transition and success at school. It also serves as a support system for those who share a common past in the military. They host movie showings, provide volunteer opportunities, and promote on-campus awareness, according to SVA Milwaukee’s orgsync webpage.
UWM student Grant Tays, sophomore, has been a member of SVA since the Fall 2014 semester.
“SVA has given me the opportunity to connect with local veterans at UWM and network with people in similar situations,” says Tays.
If you are a veteran and want to connect with others like you, find SVA’s UWM chapter on Facebook, visit Union room 397, or e-mail sva@uwm.edu.