Mosaic

Issue date: 2/16/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Ashley Giandomenico Cassandra Tracy and Jess Cote and others at fall 2005 Communiversity Day.

Most college students do not have a great deal of free time. Many are in demanding majors which require long hours dedicated to completing school assignments. While others are experiencing the "poor college student syndrome" and need to spend their free time making extra cash, working at a part time job. There are also many collegiate athletes and their days are filled with team practices, games or training. Though many students' time is scarce, more and more are becoming involved in helping people in need and the country as a whole is experiencing the effects of these good deeds.

According to the article: "Freshman Survey: More Students Plan to Lend a Hand" from The Chronicle of Higher Education, two out of three college freshmen say it is important to help others who are in difficulty, the highest percentage in a quarter-century."

John H. Pryor, director of the survey predicts that because of the devastation that has occurred in this country such as Hurricane Katrina, students have felt a great need to serve their own communities.

Although Newport residents have not experienced severe destruction like the residents of New Orleans, according to Salve's community service coordinator, Sarah Kelley, there is an enormous amount of insufficiency in Newport. "A lot of people only see the mansions and wealth in Newport," Kelley said. "When students arrive here, they realize there is a great need to help others and many are excited to volunteer."

Kelley said that the statistics from the Chronicle's survey reflect the involvement of students at Salve. "I've definitely seen an increase in student volunteers," Kelley said. The University requires freshmen to complete ten hours of service and Kelley said that in prior years only about 70-80 percent of freshmen would complete their required 10 hours. Currently, approximately 90 percent of freshmen complete their hours before advancing to sophomore status.

Additionally, Kelley said that students begin volunteering as a freshman and many of them return as sophomores and upper-classmen to continue serving the community.

Kelley is referring to students like Jessica Cote. Cote began her volunteer work when she arrived on campus. Currently, she continues volunteering even though she has well exceeded her required ten hours. "I enjoy volunteering and I am always willing to give a helping hand," Cote said.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools