Fair Wisconsin's going back to school!

It's hard to believe it's that time of year again: the nights are a little cooler, there's just a hint of color in the leaves ... and campus is suddenly teeming with returning students. Fair Wisconsin is also heading back to school--kicking off the academic year with a variety of activities on universities across the state!

Organizers on two of our campuses are already off and running. Our rockstar Spring 2009 intern Emily Gordon has returned to head up our student organization at UW-Madison, Students for a Fair Wisconsin, and has apparently been cooking up creative ideas all summer! Emily is joined by our new Vice Chair of Students for a Fair Wisconsin, Natasha Lopez-Moreira. Emily and Natasha are excited to promote LGBT issue awareness and create positive change on campus.

The UW-Madison organizers are busy this week planning our fall kickoff event ("Cake n' Canoes!") to be held Thursday, September 17, 6pm - 8pm at the Memorial Union. Stop by to sample some cake, learn about recent legislative developments, and try your hand at rowing on Lake Mendota!

Looking a little further north, Fair Wisconsin is thrilled to partner with the LGBT organization at UW-Green Bay, SAGA. The new student group, SAGA-FW, including our energetic intern Jeff Mayefske, is already planning a number of fantastic events for the campus and community this fall. Stay tuned for updates!

Want to learn more about these or other Students for Fair Wisconsin chapters or don't have a Students for a Fair Wisconsin organization on your campus? Call or email me at 608.441.0143 ext. 313 or tim.ewing@fairwisconsin.com.

For those of you in middle or high school, be sure to get involved with the gay-straight alliance (GSA) or similar club at your school. Don't have one, or have a question about organizing at your school? Check out resources at GSA for Safe Schools (www.gsaforsafeschools.org). Additionally, GSA for Safe Schools is always looking for high school student volunteers to lead workshops and help plan their various conferences. Contact Tim Michael (timm@gsaforsafeschools.org or 608.661.4141) to find out more. If you're in the Fox Valley, contact Jesse Heffernan (920.734.2233) at GLBT Partnership/Harmony Cafe to find out about local GSA leadership opportunities.

Welcome back to school, students!