Secular Student Alliance
About
Join the Secular Student Alliance as an Official Member
1. Join on RowdyLink by clicking the blue "Join" Button
2. Fill out this form: I want to Join! (Dues are optional)
3. Add yourself to the Secular Student Alliance GroupMe
The Secular Student Alliance at UTSA was founded in the Fall of 2013 but this organization has existed under various names with similar goals since the Fall of 2005. Surrounded by the dozens of prominent religious groups and very vocal pro-life protestors at UTSA, the group was created to provide a voice to nonreligious students on campus.
The Secular Student Alliance provides representation and community for nonreligious students at UTSA but is open to anyone regardless of faith or lack thereof who feels very strongly about maintaining the separation of church and state and freedom of and from religion.
Although the SSA is non-partisan, the organization does participate in political activism and traditionally supports human rights, bodily autonomy and reproductive rights, freedom of speech and the press, freedom of and from religion, and separation of church and state. We also support the LGBTQ+ community and their right to exist without discrimination against their identity.
SSA hosts a wide variety of activities for members in addition to weekly meetings including social events and fun outings, community service/volunteering opportunities, activism, and larger campus events such as interfaith debates and guest speakers. Interested members will have opportunities to promote secular ethical values, develop leadership and social skills, learn how to engage in civil and productive interactions with those who have different beliefs and become proficient in constructive skepticism and critical thinking skills.
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What is the Secular Student Alliance?
The fastest-growing demographic on college campuses is students without a religious affiliation. Almost 50% of students now identify as nonreligious. The Secular Student Alliance is a national non-profit organization with hundreds of student chapters in high schools, colleges, and universities across the country. For more information go to secularstudents.org
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Sean Rivera, one of our previous presidents, describes the goals of the SSA at UTSA as a student organization
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Cody Valdez, one of the three SSA at UTSA members who appeared on the LIVE episode of Truth Wanted filmed at the UTSA campus May 13, 2022 explains what SSA means to him. Cody was also featured on an "I'm Secular & I VOTE" campaign for the Freedom From Religion Foundation that included billboards in both Austin and San Antonio.
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Congratulations to our SSA at UTSA chapter for winning the Secular Student Alliance Chapter of the Year 2024! This prestigious honor was bestowed on our chapter at the 2024 SSA National Conference recognizing our chapter as the best out of 237 total SSA chapters for our dedication to advocacy work, including creating the "Voice your Choice" campaign promoting reproductive freedom and our incredible accomplishment of distributing for FREE to the UTSA student body over 1200 condoms and 520 boxes of Plan B emergency contraceptives during the Spring 2024 semester. Two of our officers were honored speakers at the 2024 SSA National Conference, Clara Clasen and Percy Walsh held a workshop on local advocacy to teach other chapters about our methods.
This is the second year in-a-row an award was presented to our chapter at the annual SSA National Conference. In 2023 we received the "Legacy Award" for the SSA at UTSA chapter having been in continuous operation for 10+ years despite numerous challenges, including persevering through covid restrictions and being one of the first chapters to re-establish itself once restrictions lifted.
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If you are interested in the Secular Student Alliance at UTSA we encourage you to check out our social media. join our private Facebook Group follow our Instagram but we're most active on our Telegram chat and GroupMe.
If you would like to receive a weekly email notification of SSA news, upcoming meetings and events join our mailing list.
Support our chapter with member-designed t-shirts, bags, hats and other merch at our SSA UTSA Merch Store
If you have any questions or comments, email us at secularstudents.utsa@gmail.com
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Fall 2024 Schedule
(Tentative, events will likely be added or changed)
Meetings
Meetings for the Fall 2024 semester will be held on the UTSA main campus on Thursdays at 5:30-7:00pm in the Mesquite Room (SU 2.01.24) on the 2nd floor of the Student Union building unless otherwise noted. If you can't be there in person you can participate via Zoom
Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month we hold a social event like a movie, games, crafts or other fun event just to hang out and make friends.
Lost? Map to the Student Union Building
Tabling Campaigns
"Voice your Choice" Campaign is all about protecting reproductive rights. Originally started in March 2024, it is restarting in Sept 2024 through end of the fall semester or until supplies run out. We are giving out free condoms and plan B emergency contraceptives on Thursdays in front of the MH building from 12 to 3pm as part of our campaign to promote safe sex and the right to bodily autonomy. If it's an emergency and you need free plan B outside of our tabling schedule email us at utsa@secularstudents.org or you can visit one of the resources listed on the news article about our campaign. If you have an unplanned pregnancy and need information about your options under Texas law email us.
"Protect Your Pride" Campaign was originally held at Pride 2024 but will continue through the fall 2024 semester. This campaign educates about the politics surrounding LGBTQ rights and how voting is crucial to protecting those rights. See our presidential breakdown of what each candidate has said about the LGBTQ community and their plan going forward
Webinars
"Countering Disinformation"
American Atheists has partnered with Science Rising to conduct a special webinar on countering disinformation. This interactive workshop will cover best practices for countering disinformation, how to develop counter-narratives, pitfalls to avoid when engaging with audiences around disinformation, and how to talk about the role that we can play in countering disinformation. Watch the full presentation and video playlist.
"Voter Registration & Mobilization"
American Atheists has partnered with Science Rising to present their Voter Registration and Mobilization program. We will cover how to register to vote, how to cast a ballot, how to help others register and cast their ballots, where to find reliable nonpartisan state-based information, tactics for increasing voter turnout within your network, and how to talk about the intersection of science and democracy, as well as specific disciplines and voting. Watch the Full Presentation
Project 2025 & How to Talk to Others About It
Anne Nelson and Nancy MacLean share tactics they found effective when talking with others about Project 2025. Learn why Project 2025 is such a threat if implemented and how to talk about it. Video
Events on Campus
Get Involved Fair Wednesday, August 28, 2024 from 11am to 2pm, Student Union: Paseo. Check in for volunteers is between 10-10:45am. Come by our table to get some free stickers, buttons, condoms and plan B! Info
First Official Meeting | What is SSA? Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 5:30pm, Mesquite Room (SU 2.01.24), Student Union Building. Zoom
General Meeting | Election Propaganda Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 5:30pm, Mesquite Room (SU 2.01.24), Student Union Building. Zoom
Fun Friday | Game Night Friday, September 13, 2024 at 5:30-7pm, Oak Room (SU 2.01.20), Student Union Building
General Meeting | Anti-Abortion Protestors Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 5:30pm, Lecture Hall (BB 2.01.06), Business Building. Zoom
Meeting | "Smut for Smut" Sucks Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 5:30pm, Mesquite Room (SU 2.01.24), Student Union Building. A Look back at the controversial and ill-advised "Smut for Smut" event held from 2005 to 2013 by the Atheist Agenda. We'll explore why these types of shock tactics aren't productive or effective and how SSA promotes more positive and inclusive activism. Let's reflect on the past and talk about our efforts to create real change on campus! Zoom
Lets Get Crafty for Banned Books Week Friday, September 27, 2024 at 5:30pm-8pm, Oak Room (SU 2.01.20), Student Union Building. Get creative with us at our Banned Books Week event! We’ll be decorating bookmarks and talking about the importance of intellectual freedom while highlighting some of the most challenged books of 2024. Banned Book Club
Sex, Love, & Above Workshop and Sexual Health Fair Thursday, October 3, 2024 2 to 3pm HSU 2.212 This workshop explores the many layers of body image, sexual orientation, reproductive health, gender roles & identity, relationships, love and affection through discussion and activities that will allow us to investigate the stories we tell ourselves, and how those stories interfere with how we see and accept others. SSA will have a table at the Sexual Health Fair doing demonstrations on the proper use of a condom as well as providing free condoms and plan B. Info
Film & Guest Speaker | Voter Suppression Guest Speaker Mandisa Thomas from Black Nonbelievers will be speaking about voter suppression & film screening "Suppressed & Sabotaged: The Fight to Vote" Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 5:30pm, Mesquite Room (SU 2.01.24), Student Union Building. Zoom
"All Out for Repro Justice!" Tuesday, October 8, 2024. 12 to 3pm in Paseo in front of HEB Student Union. Reproductive Rights Fair sponsored by Texas Rising. Many different local organizations and student organizations will be doing different fun activities to promote reproductive rights. Our group will have a button-making table where you can design your own button to show your support, draw it yourself with art supplies or print a digital design and we'll make it into a button!
"Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism's Unholy War on Democracy" Film Screening and Guest Speaker, Kyle Spencer, journalist and author of the book Raising them Right who is featured in the film. 'Bad Faith' will expose the influence Christian Nationalism holds on the upcoming election and the threat it poses to democracy and human rights. Screening will be held Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 6-8:30pm, Retama Auditorium (SU 2.02.02), Student Union Building. Trailer
God Awful Movie Night Friday, October 11, 2024 at 5:30pm-8pm, Lecture Hall BB 2.01.10, Business Building. Watch on Zoom
SSA Virtual Meeting + Cards Against Humanity Online Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 5:30pm Join us on Zoom + Cards Against Humanity (you'll get the password in Zoom)
Meeting "Deprogramming from Propaganda" Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 5:30pm, Mesquite Room (SU 2.01.24), Student Union Building. Zoom.
Fun Friday Friday, October 25, 2024 at 5:30pm-8pm, Richard Liu Auditorium (BB 2.01.02), Business Building
Graveyard of the Gods Display October 28-Nov1, Central Plaza Lawn
SSA & PERIOD Feminine Hygeine Packing Party October 31, 5:30-8pm, Oak Room (SU 2.01.20), Student Union
Vampire Masquerade Ball October 31, 2024, 6-9pm Denman Ballroom, Student Union $10 admission fee Buy Tickets
Election Watch Party Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 7pm Location TBD
General Meeting Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 5:30pm, Mesquite Room (SU 2.01.24), Student Union Building. Zoom
Fun Friday Friday, November 8, 2024 at 5:30-7pm, Mesquite Room (SU 2.01.24), Student Union Building
Arts & Crafts Fair (tentative/date may change) Thursday, November 14 from 11am to 4pm. Central Plaza. Multi-organization arts & crafts fundraiser sponsored by NeuroDivergent Society at the end of every semester. Last semester participating organizations included the Secular Student Alliance, Poetry Society, SOAR, DAPi, Kurabu Anime Club, Botany Club, American Fisheries Society Hispanic Student Association, Project Sunshine, Bee Campus UTSA and more! Come by our table to help support our group! If interested in participating in the fair as an organization or an artist who would like to donate your artwork to support any student organization of your choice please join the GroupMe for the Fair.
General Meeting Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 5:30pm, Mesquite Room (SU 2.01.24), Student Union Building. Zoom
General Meeting Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 5:30pm, Mesquite Room (SU 2.01.24), Student Union Building. Zoom
Fun Friday Friday, November 22, 2024 at 5:30-7pm, Mesquite Room (SU 2.01.24), Student Union Building
Friendsgiving Celebration Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 4:00pm, Mesquite Room (SU 2.01.24), Student Union Building. Bring a potluck dish to share. Food and civil discussion about religion and/or politics that won't end up in a fight or you biting your tongue while Uncle John tells you all about his latest favorite conspiracy theory. Bring games if you have some a group can play. We have Cards Against Humanity and Unstable Unicorns.
Secular Christmas Celebration Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 5:30pm to 7pm, Pecan Room (SU 2.01.26), Student Union Building. Food, games and fun. Bring a gift for the gift exchange (between $10 to $20 or you can handmake something special).
Officer Elections Dec 5-12. Elected officer positions will be voted for online: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Creative Director, Public Relations. We also have non-elected volunteer officer positions where you are granted slightly more permissions than a dues-paying member but have no specific duties, you just help where you can. If you'd like to run for an office or a volunteer position, please email utsa@secularstudents.org
Member's Reward Field Trip canceled due to no ACA live audience event happening. :(
*****Winter Break******
Meetings resume in Spring 2025 semester every Thursday at 5:30pm in Mesquite Room.
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Join the Secular Student Alliance as an Official Member
1. Join on RowdyLink by clicking the blue "Join" Button
2. Fill out this form: I want to Join! (Dues are Optional)
3. Add yourself to the Secular Student Alliance GroupMe