The ONE Campus Challenge (OCC) was launched last September by the ONE campaign and is the organization’s first initiative aimed at college students. ONE is a nonprofit organization that seeks to raise awareness of the issues surrounding global poverty and encourage U.S. political leaders to increase funding for poverty-fighting programs.
ONE spokeswoman Kimberly Cadena said that schools competing in OCC earn points for various poverty-fighting programs and events held on their campuses. Leader of the Princeton OCC chapter, Tim Cheston ’08, encouraged the Student Global Aids Campaign (SGAC), of which he once was president, to take part in the competition.
“We’ve collected petition signatures, held call-ins to Congress and run other events to try and increase awareness,” said David Huie ’09, who works on the Campus Challenge with Cheston and is a member of SGAC.
One event the Princeton chapter gained points for involved stopping students as they passed through Frist Campus Center, informing them of the details of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and having them sign socks to send to Congress in an effort to “Air-Out-The-Dirty-Laundry.”
"It’s no secret that many people dread being called over in Frist by some person next to a table who wants you to get involved in something you might have never heard of,” Huie said. “What surprised us was the number of people who came over to sign the petitions and make calls. It was a heartening experience that showed that people on campus are ready and willing to get involved in important causes.”
Cheston said he believes it is the responsibility of all those at the University to work on international issues such as poverty reduction.
“If we stick to our school’s [unofficial] motto, we can’t forget the second part: ‘in the service of all nations,’ ” he said. “We are given elaborate resources here, and the ONE campaign is the perfect avenue for taking on the challenge of using them.”
For the final round of the OCC, the top university chapters have been given $1,000 grants to organize unique anti-poverty programs. Cheston said he was excited by Princeton’s current standing in the competition and has high hopes for Princeton’s chances in the finals.
“It is great to know that we are one of the strongest campuses in terms of anti-poverty work. We fought to be in the top 10, and I hope we can do something great and see if we get into the top five,” he said.
Cheston assumed leadership of the Princeton chapter of the OCC after Gregory Rickman ’97, who wanted University undergraduates to raise awareness about global poverty, formed the group on ONE’s website last fall.
“Every major social movement had college kids as a large piece of it,” Rickman said. He added that he hoped that after bringing the OCC to Princeton, “somebody would pick up the ball and get the undergrads running with it.”
Huie said the ultimate goal of the OCC is not to beat other schools but to get students involved in the fight against poverty and to spread awareness of the conditions existing in other parts of the world.
“When our largest worries are about things like tests, papers and what we’re going to do for spring break, it’s easy to lose perspective about just how worse off other people are,” Huie said. “What we’re trying to do is to introduce awareness on campus and get people involved in fighting poverty on a global scale.”
At the end of March, the Princeton OCC chapter will be evaluated based on the program it plans using its $1,000 grant. Members of the ONE organization will vote on the most creative program, and the winning school will be awarded a concert by a yet-to-be-announced performer.
“We have $1,000 to spend, and there are a million ways to do it,” Cheston said. “We are going to try to go big and do something that will kick some other campuses’ butts, but also do some great advocacy work to spread awareness and take action.”
Read More
Economics professor Kate Ho passes away after long battle with cancer
Devon RudolphProfessor Kate Ho made seminal contributions to the economics of modeling competition in the healthcare sector and taught well-loved courses in industrial organization.
Professor Kate Ho made seminal contributions to the economics of modeling competition in the healthcare sector and taught well-loved courses in industrial organization.
Pedestrian left in critical condition after traffic collision on Nassau Street
Luke GrippoThe pedestrian was struck by a westbound 2015 Ford Explorer around 11:32 p.m. The driver was identified in the press release as a 39-year-old Princeton resident who cooperated with officers upon their arrival.
The pedestrian was struck by a westbound 2015 Ford Explorer around 11:32 p.m. The driver was identified in the press release as a 39-year-old Princeton resident who cooperated with officers upon their arrival.
Senior class jacket abruptly changed following accusations of AI design
Vitus LarrieuFor more than a century, Princeton seniors have donned “beer jackets” to protect their clothes during Reunions and commencement celebrations, typically with elaborate designs chosen by a class-wide contest. Now, with a selection process marred by accusations of generative AI use, the Class of 2026 may have written its own spot in Princeton history.
For more than a century, Princeton seniors have donned “beer jackets” to protect their clothes during Reunions and commencement celebrations, typically with elaborate designs chosen by a class-wide contest. Now, with a selection process marred by accusations of generative AI use, the Class of 2026 may have written its own spot in Princeton history.