The Mission of Safeguard Old State

Mission
Safeguard Old State (SOS) is a grassroots student-alumni advocacy group committed to protecting and advancing the rights and traditions of all Penn Staters. Primarily, our activities involve empowering students, engaging faculty and informing alumni about the history of the Pennsylvania State University and offering solutions to advance the mission of this land-grant public institution. Safeguard Old State is a non-partisan coalition of dedicating individuals from across the Penn State family — students, faculty, alumni & friends.

Safeguard Old State’s Mission in Practice
Our mission is borne out in practice in a variety of ways, including educating the Penn State community about and lobbying for the continuation and revitalization of those traditions which further, primarily, the goals of shared governance, exercise of student autonomy (particularly in relation to student led activities and the student activity fee) as well as fostering a culture of respect among administrators at Penn State toward such a student-centered environment.

We are committing to helping return this University to glory, both with large and small steps toward a brighter future. We seek to foster a renaissance in student and alumni life, both within the Nittany Valley and throughout the global community of Penn Staters.

Background on the Safeguard Old State Perspective
From its founding in 1855, Penn State University has a rich history of providing educational opportunities to the young men and women enrolled. The experiences we have as students are a big part of that education. As the Penn State Alma Mater accurately states, “Shapeless in the hands of fate, Thou didst mold us, dear old State.”

Regardless of whether you are involved with activities such as THON, Greek life, The Daily Collegian, ARHS, UPAC, Intramural Sports, a service group, or any student group on campus we are part of a community. Penn State and State College become our second homes and, for some, their permanent ones. No matter where our futures are after Penn State, at least part of our memories will forever remain here.

As students, we should feel a link to our university. This includes:

· Having positive traditions to reflect on that link alumni to students for generations
· Having a sense of community between students, alumni, and administrators
· Having true shared governance so as to help our university grow and meet the needs of its students

The life of Penn State is the spirit of its students - people are what have made the Penn State experience so memorable and our traditions so great. If we take away the chance for students to make a difference, then traditions, old and new, will lose their meaning. Unless the few remaining outlets for shared governance are protected and preserved, that chance will disappear.

History teaches us that when the many give up their rights to the few, the result is never positive. Consolidation of power, even begun with the best of intentions, is never the right solution. Policy changes over the last few years at Penn State have seriously hampered the opportunities for true student input in our university life. This touches the daily life of all students on issues like renting downtown, residence hall life, campus safety, tuition increases and applying for student group funding and recognition.

Safeguard Old State, a coalition of Penn Staters of all ages, wants to foster and preserve a truly student-centered Penn State for generations to come. Please join us in that effort. The legacy, after all, belongs to you.