Utah Valley University on way to getting new building -- One sole at a time

OREM (Deseret News) — One pair of shoes can provide relief for one person in a Third World country, but 25 million pairs of shoes can build a new science and health building at Utah Valley University.

Approximately 50 UVU students went door-to-door around Orem Saturday, collecting used footwear from neighbors.

Saturday's shoe drive worked in conjunction with Project Sole, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit that collects gently used athletic shoes to sell in Third World countries at discounted prices. The organization aims to provide much-needed shoes while it stimulates the local economy. UVU will receive $2 for every pair of shoes donated to Project Sole.

Although students do not plan to collect 25 million pairs of shoes, they do have a goal of eventually collecting 4,000 pairs, which will give them $8,000 to contribute to the fund to build a new science and health building at UVU.

The current building was designed to accommodate 8,000 students, but more than 22,000 students use the building.

Kristopher Lange, the UVU Student Association senator for the college of science and health, said UVU has the least amount of square footage per student of any state university. For comparison, UVU has approximately 121 square feet per student, while the University of Utah has 460.

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