Activities

SWIG has formed 5 subgroups to ensure that we are always working towards our goals. These subgroups and their descriptions are as follows:

Social Outreach This group is involved in outreach activities with other women's organizations on campus as well as community outreach by volunteering and participating in local events. Some activities include a local wetlands clean-up day and organizing a donation drive for the local women's shelter. We create ties with other women's groups on campus in order to collaborate, lend support and share experiences with other graduate and undergraduate women.

Speakers SWIG sponsors a variety of opportunities for members to interact with academics and professionals inside and outside the field. In particular, the speaker committee arranges lunch with female Geography Coffee Hour speakers to offer relaxed and open interaction. Each semester SWIG sponsors an additional speaker for a presentation, discussion, and dinner. We also assist with other speaker events sponsored by other organizations, and we occasionally invite lecturers to our monthly meetings.

Undergraduate Recruitment As a primarily graduate organization, SWIG now has an undergraduate recruitment sub-committee that works to increase undergraduate involvement. Some of the initiatives include a graduate student panel co-sponsored by GTU, and going from class to class to inform undergraduate students about SWIG. More ideas for involving undergrads are always welcome.

Advocacy Like all of SWIG's efforts, the advocacy sub-committee is committed to creating a more supportive and comfortable atmosphere for women in geography at Penn State. We try to identify areas in which we can affect positive change in our department and on campus in general (e.g. the New Child Policy). We advocate for the needs of women in geography, promote activities to raise awareness and create dialogue on key issues, as well as strive for concrete changes in policy and procedures that will better address the needs of women.

Alumni Relations We want to encourage continued communication with those who have been a part of our organization in the past as well as those who have graduated from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and support us. Support for SWIG outside of this academic institution is key to our success. Eventually we hope to hold fundraising events, and, in the future, establish an endowment for women attending school in Geography at PSU.

Other Activities:

SWIG is also involved in several other activities aside from those associated with the subgroups. We coordinate the following:

SYWIG Day: SYWIG (Supporting Young Women in Geography) Day is a day where we bring in middle school and high school girls to participate in a variety of activities that reflect the importance, interest, and excitement associated with Geography. These activities include:
- Exploring the Vegetation Dynamics Lab to learn about tree rings and the effects of forest fires on vegetation
- Learning about the stream table using an in-class simulation
- Playing Geography Jeopardy
- Going on a scavenger hunts where students must obtain valuable information from various professors
- Learning how to do participatory mapping
These are just a few examples of the fun activities we plan for the young girls that attend SYWIG Day. Our goal is to spark some enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity for Geography in the minds of young women, encouraging them to consider an education in Geography in the future. A large number of both graduate and undergraduate students within the department come together to pull off this event.

This year we are attempting to bring SWYIG day to a school in Philadelphia to give underprivileged youth (boys and girls) exposure to Geography. We have contacts through Dr. Lucky Yapa and his Philadelphia Project, and we hope to partner with local academic institutions in Philadelphia to support our goals.

Centre County Women's Resource Center 5K Walk/Run:For several years SWIG has been one of the highest fundraising groups for the 5K Walk/Run. This is an opportunity for the community to come together and speak out against violence against women by congregating in public and walking or running 5 kilometers. All proceeds go toward the Women's Resource Center.

Movie Night: This year SWIG and WSGO (Women's Studies Graduate Organization) have started a new tradition by hosting a movie night approximately once a month. Movies shown thus far include Dor and Motherhood Manifesto.

Potluck Meals: Potluck meals are always tasty, and they offer us time to socialize in an informal setting. Spouses, significant others, friends, and children are always welcome at these events.

Book Sale: SWIG jumped at the opportunity to hold a fundraiser by selling old, donated books. Several students as well as faculty have donated generously to the cause. We have been able to raise over $200 while giving students, staff, and colleagues a chance to buy a good, cheap book.

New Child Policy: Last year SWIG drafted a new child policy for female and male graduate students wishing to have children and remain in school. We felt that there was no support system for those who want families, as becoming a parent entails devoting an exceptional amount of one's time and energy. We proposed our policy to the Geography department. The policy promptly circulated to university officials who implemented our policy university-wide. We are thrilled that graduate students can now take advantage of these parental benefits. If you would like to take a look a the official policy, please click here. If you would like to see a draft of our proposed policy, please click here.