UC students give back

With warmer weather and community service deadlines fast approaching, volunteer programs provide students with what may be their last opportunity for campus involvement before the end of the school year.

The University of Cincinnati Center for Community Engagement organizes many of the volunteer opportunities offered both

on-campus and throughout the Cincinnati community. The department, which is part of the Division of Student Affairs and Services, also helps student groups around campus organize their own volunteer and fundraising events.

"Many of the campus volunteer projects are put on by different student groups. But our department also offers several programs including tutoring and mentoring, alternative spring break and community clean-up projects," said Stephen Trepowski, the program coordinator for CCE.

While the majority of the programs offered by CCE are yearlong commitments, which begin in the fall, the Spring Quarter keeps volunteers busy with warm-weather projects. According to Trepowski, the biggest community service events for the spring are Green-Up Day, an annual clean-up day for a local park, and Relay for Life, which raises money for the American Society.

Though these events have already occurred, the Department of Student Affairs has additional volunteer projects available before the end of the year.

Upcoming May events include the Hoxworth Blood Drive, which runs May 21 to May 25, the dedication of this year's Habitat for Humanity project, and the Cincinnati Community Outreach service day May 12 on Sigma Sigma Commons.

CCE also offers Service Learning, a program that connects community service to subjects taught in the classroom. "Service learning is the combination of volunteer work and class work: The students volunteer for programs related to the course which they receive academic credit for," said Dr. Al Hearn, director of academic community partnerships. "This type of learning is really valuable because many students learn more from real experience than they do simply by listening to instructors."

Service learning and the fulfillment of community service requirements are benefits of CCE programs. However, CCE encourages all students on campus to become involved with volunteering, regardless of other incentives such as scholarships.

"Every student gets something different out of volunteering," Trepowski said. "It exposes students to new areas and gives them insight on the needs of a community, especially those who are not from urban areas. Most of all, volunteering helps all people learn the value of being contributors to society."

To become active in the Spring Quarter volunteer events organized by the CCE, or to learn more about the programs being offered this summer and fall, visit the CCE website at www.uc.edu/cce or call

513-556-1559.