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Like most college campuses across the country, the University of Idaho has no shortage of student groups. While some of them are working toward a common goal or shared ideologies they lack a venue in which they can come together and share their beliefs with one another.
For this reason, senior Jason Wellman has spent much of his free time organizing the upcoming Free Your Mind Forum. After attending a social forum in Atlanta, with more than 10,000 activists from a myriad of causes, he became set on bringing a similar event to UI.
Wellman, a general studies major with an emphasis on philosophy and sociology, began planning the event when he got back from Atlanta. Once he secured funding from Vandal Entertainment, he began contacting student groups across campus.
Social justice clubs, such as the Gay Straight Alliance and Feminist Led Activist Movement to Empower are expected to have tables at the event, as well as environmental clubs such as Friends of the Clearwater and the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute.
“I want to bring people together and hopefully they can interact and realize how much they have in common,” Wellman said.
Wellman also hopes to see multicultural clubs at the event. While he hasn’t been able to reach out to every group due to the sheer number on campus, he will not turn away anyone at the door.
“Any group is welcome,” Wellman said. “Greek Row, Campus Crusade for Christ, UI Republicans, anyone.”
Wellman’s goal is to start social momentum and get more people interested in social justice, environmental and multi-cultural issues.
The event will also feature live music from the Navin Cadenza Collective, a local folk trio, as well as other local bands. All of the performers are from the Palouse region.
There will also be a spoken word poetry recital.
“Even if it’s just the performers and the groups that have tables, it will still be fun,” Wellman said. “Although, I expect a good turnout.”
Wellman tried to get the Moscow Food Co-op to cater the event, but they do not offer catering services. He was able to get Sodexo to sign a waiver allowing him to bring in food from other sources.
“Because of the theme, I want organic and local food,” Wellman said. Since he couldn’t find any way to get enough of the types of food he wanted, he decided to leave food out.
In order to publicize the event, Wellman has relied solely on word of mouth, MySpace and some posters that he has put up around campus. He also plans to have a sidewalk chalking campaign to help get the word out.
“I’m extending an olive branch to hangout and to discuss ideas. We’re all human beings, we all laugh, love and cry,” he said. “One thing I’ve realized from doing this is you can turn thoughts into action. It just takes the courage to speak in front of people.”
Wellman is hoping to put together a potluck dinner over the summer that features the same level of diversity he wants to see at the upcoming forum.
Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend the forum on Thursday in the SUB ballroom. It starts at 7 p.m. and is free to the public.
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