Emergency Support Team, Campus Y, Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling and Habitat for Humanity have all circulated petitions for block funding from SU for the 2020-2021 academic year.

In advance of Student Union’s general budget session, four student groups have chosen to apply for block funding: Habitat for Humanity, Campus Y, Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling and Emergency Support Team.

Time to whip out your seasonal, rhinestone-encrusted jorts, everyone—it’s almost spring break. Some of us are staying on campus while others are going home to make sure their parents didn’t accidentally forget about them (at least, that was my intention). Some students are taking advantage of the week to go on a spring break service trip.

By the time spring break arrives, many students are feeling burned out and in need of a much-deserved escape from papers and exams. Yet while some choose to venture to laid-back lake houses or breezy, boozy beaches (read: the notorious Panama City Beach), others opt for trips that will help greater charitable causes.

Constructed entirely of cardboard and duct tape in two hours, Optimus Habitat the collapsible robot won three prizes at the fifth annual Washington University Building Challenge. Six teams with a total of 21 students participated in the annual fundraiser for the University’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which was held Sunday afternoon at Ursa’s Fireside.

Every year, Student Union allows student groups to appeal for a lump sum directly out of its general budget. These funds, called block funding, allow groups to pay for long-term, high-cost initiatives without going through the typical allocation process.

The Washington University chapter of Habitat for Humanity has been awarded a $5000 matching grant by State Farm.

The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brothers already have their house back on Fraternity Row. Now, they’re building houses for those in need. Last weekend, 21 of the 30 brothers and 11 pledges participated in a Habitat for Humanity build.

The Danforth University Center (DUC) is often filled with the jarring voices of various fraternity and sorority members calling out to students to give money to one charity organization or another, giving out tattoos, bracelets and food. All Greek organizations host philanthropy events.