Point Park students fueled by passion for economic and social justice are attempting to become recognized as an official club on campus, calling themselves the Student Solidarity Organization (SSO). 

“Students have power and should be heard,” said founder and senior global cultural studies major Samey Lee.

Like every other club, the SSO has been going through the standard process of crafting a constitution on how the club runs to be presented to the student government. The process has been going smooth thus far, according to Lee.

“We’re not trying to be antagonistic here,” she said. 

Structurally, SSO is unique among Point Park organizations. There isn’t any kind of hierarchy or formal leaders.

 “We make decisions as a group,” said Lee, “in an attempt to form “one strong voice.” 

The main goal of the club is to fight for change on campus, making sure both students and teachers are treated fairly, according to Lee. 

“[We’re for] building solidarity among students.” she said. 

One plan the club has for early November is starting a “zine,” which is a loosely formatted and structured, free and hand-made little magazine. The zine will be called “Solidarity,” according to SSO member and junior cinema production major Dane Hager. 

“Solidarity” will be “made by students, for students,” according to Hager, and focus on making social justice accessible to students. The zine will be filled with written pieces, art, photographs, and just about whatever else and written in a casual voice.

“It’s basically the opposite of journalistic structure,” Hager said.

SSO has been active since last school year, just not officially recognized by the school. Back then, the emphasis was on activism for “safe, comfortable and up-to-par” conditions for adjunct teachers, according to Lee. 

“Teaching is such an important profession,” said member and junior psychology/global cultural studies double major Hana Valle. The most exciting moment for Valle was when the adjuncts’ union was recognized, something that she said SSO is responsible for to some extent.

“[Operating the club] can be frustrating but also constantly rewarding,” Valle said.

The club was just a few people that grew to double-digits, according to Valle. There are varying levels of participation, but all are welcome. 

“Everyone has something to bring to the table,” Lee said. “Photojournalism majors, acting majors, graphic design majors… we can use you.”

SSO has worked with Point Park’s Global Cultural Studies Club in the past. The two groups teamed up on the adjunct teachers issue last semester. 

“[SSO and GCS] set out at the same time for the same thing,” said Global Cultural Studies major and president of the GCS club Hannah Simon, in a telephone interview. 

The GCS Club differs from the SSO in that it is more “an extension of the GCS major,” Simon said. GCS is, instead, mainly designed to enlighten and educate with the intention of inspiring students to pursue activism on their own, Simon explained.  

The Student Solidarity Organization is clearly adamant about finding a place to bring students together for work on important issues. 

“Everyone cares about social issues, even if they don’t know it,” Hagen said.