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January 30, 2008
By Chris Curtis
Copyright The Good 5 Cent Cigar
01/30/08 - Many students may have heard the University of Rhode Island, and academic institutions in general, referred to as an "Ivory Tower." Some might even agree with the term's characterization of the university experience as remote and sheltered from the outside world.
However, two university groups are challenging this characterization through volunteer work that immerses students in the world outside of textbooks and parties. With one group having spent winter break in New Orleans, and the second planning a trip to Alabama over spring break, the two groups are sacrificing valuable vacation time to help others.
The first group, composed of members of the Jewish student organization Hillel, recently returned from a winter break trip to New Orleans, where they worked to rebuild houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Jewish Student Life Coordinator Lisa Friedman traveled to New Orleans with her group of 13 students to work with the nonprofit national organization, "Rebuilding Together," which works to repair the homes of the elderly and disabled.
Arriving Sunday, Jan. 6 and leaving Sunday of the following week, the group stayed at a camp for volunteers in the town of Kiln, Miss.
After commuting an hour to the city each morning, the volunteers worked on two houses in the Broadmoor neighborhood and St. Bernard Parish, both areas of relatively high elevation that were devastated by the hurricane.
The group worked Monday through Friday gutting, insulating and painting the two heavily damaged houses.
Students have a second opportunity to expand their horizons with the Academic Alternative Spring Break.
Led by Gail Faris, assistant director of student life at the Women's Center, the Academic Alternative Spring Break in Birmingham, Ala., will give students the opportunity to learn about social problems firsthand. The Academic Alternative group is not yet scheduled for a specific project in Birmingham, but Faris expects to be doing work similar to that performed by the Hillel group.
Volunteers will work with the Birmingham branch of the international nonprofit Habitat for Humanity, a group that works to create affordable housing for the underprivileged.
Groups participating in past trips with the program have done construction as well as heavy renovation.
Unlike the Hillel trip, the Academic Alternative trip is associated with a 3-credit elective class, section 4 of Community Service 302.
The class, which meets once per week, will discuss issues of poverty, homelessness and social action in the United States and will culminate in the creation of a personal portfolio by each student.
Many members of the Hillel group said they were surprised by the extent of the damage to the city of New Orleans more than two years after the fact.
"I was familiar with the situation but I don't think I realized … how much damage there was and how much money they still needed," senior Leah Schechtman said.
Not only did students participating in the Hillel trip give up their winter vacation time, but they contributed toward the funding of the trip.
Although partly funded by Hillel, and with airfare subsidized by a private donor, each student was required to contribute roughly $250.
Faris expects a similar arrangement for the Alternative Spring Break. Of the expenses, including ground transportation and food costs, students will be required to pay airfare as well as a $100 affiliate fee to the Birmingham branch of Habitat for Humanity.
Faris said she hopes to cover other expenses through fund raising and outside donations.
The URI President's Office and Student Life, as well as a Boston business, have contributed to the group's expenses, and Faris said she is confident that further donations will be received.
Faris explained this ensures that prospective participants are fully aware of all that the class entails.
While she recognizes the inherent sacrifices for students in trips such as Hillel's and the Alternative Spring Break, she champions the value of the experience.
"You're not going to be pampered during this week, you're going to be working your tail off, but, at the same time, you're going to have a great deal of fun," said Faris.
Despite the cost, the difficulty, and the sacrifice of valuable vacation time, students interviewed from the Hillel group were unanimous in their endorsement of the experience.
"I think it's to be expected that you're going to work, it's not by any means a relaxing vacation … but it was a great experience, I'm really happy I did it," senior Adam Greenberg said.
Presently, 17 students are enrolled in CSV 302, eight short of the 25 volunteers stipulated in the contract with Habitat for Humanity. Students interested in enrolling should contact Faris at gle8264u@postoffice.uri.edu for a permission number. |
