SASKATOON — USask Giving Day, a 24-hour fundraising initiative in support of USask people and projects is Sept. 10.
Recently, University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU) president Emma Wintermute shared her thoughts on why supporting USask during Giving Day is so important for students and the university community at large.
1. Matching gifts bring energy and momentum to the day
All gifts made on Giving Day will be matched dollar-for-dollar* thanks to the generosity of several matching donors. Wintermute says that alone is a reason to consider donating on Sept. 10.
“Giving Day and the fact that donations can be matched is a call to action that reminds us that these moments are impactful. There is an energy around making a commitment and engaging with USask alongside so many other donors,” said Wintermute.
“It’s also a reminder for students that there are people out there who want us to succeed even though it might not always feel like it. There are donors who are trying to help us amplify our voices, our perspectives and our ideas,” she added.
2. Giving Day offers a chance to be accountable to our community
Wintermute believes strongly in the value of coming together to bolster the things we can do much better as a collective than we can individually.
“I hope we can come together as a community on Giving Day and show students now and into the future that we place value on ensuring that students of all backgrounds are able to access a great education and possibly bring their expertise or skills back to their own communities,” said the fourth-year gender, sexuality, and social justice studies and history double honours student.
3. Student needs are ongoing
“Ongoing donations are needed because every time we welcome new students to our USask community, there are new needs, new perspectives, and new challenges that come,” said Wintermute.
The USSU president added that when USask faculty, staff, and alumni continue to donate, it demonstrates that they have an understanding that students past, present and future are going to benefit from their generosity.
4. Support can help students overcome financial challenges
According to what she hears from her peers, Wintermute says affordability is one of the most pressing challenges for students at USask right now.
“It impacts everything from mental health to general well-being to food security. We’ve seen such an increase in students accessing our Food Centre over the last year, because it’s become increasingly difficult to deal with the rising costs of basic needs like food and housing,” she explained.
“More and more students just need that extra support that can come through initiatives like Giving Day.”
5. Accessibility brings voices to the table who might not otherwise be there
Wintermute, who is openly queer, believes Initiatives like Giving Day help keep university accessible for everyone, stressing that having scholarships or bursaries to provide financial support means that people who may not have otherwise been able to continue in higher education, can enroll as students at USask.
“When we stop making spaces like this accessible to students who might need those scholarships and bursaries, we risk not having those engaging thinkers or lived experiences or positionalities brought to the table,” she said. “But with those perspectives, we can become more accountable and develop more vibrant solutions or strategies that we may not have ever thought of before.”
Make your donation here.
— Submitted by USask Media Relations
