Consumer Interest Organization (CIO)

CIO is a student organization in the Department of Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management. This organization is for students who are interested in consumer issues, increasing consumer awareness, and community service. Both undergraduates and graduates are involved. CIO members have a history of involvement with Virginia Tech’s Big Event, where they are involved in community service. They work with Cooperative Extension to provide the Reality Store, a simulation activity for secondary school students, at local schools and assist with the Virginia LifeSmarts Contest.  They have traveled to food pantries and the Montgomery County Christmas Store to donate and assist. CIO meets regularly on campus and also provides opportunities for social networking among students as well as industry networks with guest presenters.

The VT Save$ social marketing campaign is a highlight of the organization’s activities. Virginia Tech is one of only four universities selected to pilot a college community campaign by the America Saves nationwide campaign. CIO has partnered with local banks and businesses to organize several events such as Fall Kick-off to raise awareness of the necessity and benefits of regular saving for financial security. Individuals are encouraged to set savings goals and enroll to be saver through the Virginia Tech Saves enrollment form on the America Saves website.

In February 2008, graduate students and faculty presented a poster on the social marketing program at the Eastern Family Economics and Resource Management Association (EFERMA) conference in Savannah, Georgia.
The current president is Matt Jones, jonesms@vt.edu
The current faculty advisor is Dr. Irene Leech, ileech@vt.edu
For more information, please visit the CIO web site: http://www.consumerinterest.org.vt.edu/