Le Provocateur

Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: News Stories

When Assumption senior Jackie Sargent speaks about an issue she is passionate about, it comes from the heart. The Spencer, Massachusetts native and co-leader of Students Advocating Change (SAC) was on a Campus Ministry/SAC sponsored Spare Change retreat in the spring of 2005 that made her realize that she wanted to get more involved on campus.

Specifically, Sargent found SAC, a group of Assumption students she says is focused on bringing awareness and taking action against social injustice both in the Worcester area and a more global stage: "I remember being told about it by my RA, and after the retreat and going to a few meetings I remember saying to myself 'wow, this is something I want to be part of.'"

According to Sargent, SAC strives to raise awareness of social justice issues, in Worcester and around the world: "we're trying to get Assumption students aware of social justice issues, how they affect us and why they affect us as a Catholic institution." Sargent's volunteer and social advocacy work isn't a hobby, or something she does on the side. It is a lifestyle for her, right down to her wardrobe which she attempts to keep exclusively sweat free: "There's a whole list of stores I won't shop at," Sargent said, "I will never step foot inside of a Target."

Founded in the fall of 2004, SAC has held many thought-provoking and awareness-raising programs over the last few years. Just last spring the group held its second Sweatshop Awareness Week on campus, sponsored a teach-in and also co-sponsors the Spare Change retreat each year.

Along with those programs, SAC has been an integral part in the formation of the Consortium of United Students, a collected group of college students from the various Worcester Consortium colleges who wish to combat social injustice. The Consortium, or "cous-cous", as the 21 year-old and other members lovingly refer to it, was formed just last year. With members from Assumption, WPI, Clark and Worcester State, Cous-cous is formed from students from all walks of life and offers perspectives from many of the different schools in the Worcester Consortium.

Continued...

Page 1 of 3 next >

Article Tools