Kansas State University

Student organizations team up with Kansas Beats the Virus campaign

Submitted by Center for Student Involvement

Several Kansas State University student organizations were successful in teaming up with the Kansas Beats the Virus campaign at the end of the fall 2021 semester.

The Center for Student Involvement coordinated with the Kansas Leadership Center to set up a process on campus for organizations to earn funds for their organization by completing project steps aimed at meeting the campaign's goals of increasing vaccination and testing for COVID-19. Organizations could earn up to $500 by completing various steps in the process, including attending an informational meeting, hosting a brainstorming meeting, submitting an action plan and bringing their plan to life.

Organizations were also able to apply for project support funds via a mini-grant application process and could receive up to $1,000 to make their projects a reality. 

The following are highlights showcasing the accomplishments reached by organizations:

• 37 organizations attended the information session in October.
• 24 organizations hosted a group brainstorming session in October-November.
• 17 groups submitted a Project Action Plan and nearly all were successful in making their projects come to life.
• 10 groups submitted a mini-grant application and received a combined $7,345.56 to assist in making their projects a reality.
• $17,195.96 was distributed to participating groups as either honoraria or grant dollars.
• An estimated 4,773 individuals were reached by the efforts of the participating groups.

Some of the projects that the students completed included distributing 350 flyers to residences and 450 COVID-19 kits; social media campaigns and videos — some including personal testimonials with regards to testing and vaccination with the Latinx community; sharing vaccination access and education with international community members; hosting art therapy and educational events; and providing rides to vaccination/booster locations for those without transportation.

"The students were the perfect addition to this project and a shining example of our principle that anyone can lead, anytime, anywhere," said Dennis Clary with the Kansas Leadership Center.

The Center for Student Involvement thanks the participating organizations and those who activated their projects as part of the campaign.

Organizations that completed their projects:

• Association of Pure and Applied Mathematics
• Bridges International
• Indian Student Association
• International Coordinating Council
• KAWSE Ambassadors
• MANNRS
• Mortar Board
• Sigma Lambda Beta
• Sigma Lambda Gamma
• Staley School of Leadership Studies Ambassadors
• Student Governing Association
• Success Ambassadors
• Swim and Dive Club
• Thrive Navigators
• Touchstone Literary Magazine
• Wildcat Warriors