Students initiate REDefine movement

Students are getting involved in a movement for redefining what it means to be a student at Dixie State College.

"It's a movement. It is a call for excellence," said Student Body President Mike Sheffield, a junior business major from St. George. "It is what we hope to become the rally point of the campus. We are redefining what Dixie is."

During Sheffield's campaign last year and his time as student body president he's wanted to create a university culture at Dixie State College. This is what REDefine is all about, he said.

Some students are already getting involved and expressing what they would like to redefine at Dixie.

"We need to redefine dance parties, the social theme, something besides the usual," said Katlyn Palmer, a sophomore general education major from Cedar City. "We have hypnotists come now and then, and everybody loves a good hypnotist…but how about big inflatable castles?"

Sheffield said if students will do what they are passionate about, then the culture of the campus will change.

When you go to events and dances, people don't usually break out of their circles, Palmer said. Everyone has their own clubs where they can be themselves, but Dixie needs things that get everyone to just mix a little bit more, she said.

"When you go to school, you go out of your comfort zone … and no one is here to define who you are," Sheffield said. "You are here to decide who you are. We want you to be involved in your clubs and organizations. Whatever it is you find passionate, do it."

To help redefine the culture of the campus DSCSA members have organized activities and service projects to get people on board, Sheffield said.

"REDefine tries to partner with anyone on campus to sort of help with involvement," said Ryan Mayfield, DSCSA vice president of public relations and a senior communication major from Taylorsville. "We want to meet with clubs and departments and figure out how they can get more exposure. How can we redefine a club?"

Mayfield said there will be meetings open to all students to help promote the REDefine movement. He also said club presidents will be able to meet with members of the REDefine movement to figure out what the clubs need.

Mayfield said members of the REDefine movement partnered up with Zion's Bank to provide REDefine cards for student use. Zion's Bank donated $20,000 toward developing the movement with the cards, he said.

"Students can use the cards for different student deals around St. George," Mayfield said. "It's like the starving student card and the Dixie Direct. I've been using Dixie Direct for three years, it's great, but for students who don't want to pay the money, the REDefine cards are free."

Students can pick up a REDefine card from the student government office, or download an app in its place, Mayfield said. He also said that students can also text RED to 467467 to receive updates and news about what's going on around campus.

Students interested in getting involved with redefining their campus culture can send an email to redefinedixiestate@gmail.com.

The captitalized RED in REDefine was intended for students to agree on an identity, Sheffield said. It's time for people to stop worrying about Rebels or Red Storm and focus on the school color red.

"The one thing that everyone can agree on is RED," Mayfield said. "There are Rebels, there's Red Storm. We don't need to redefine RED; RED is Dixie."