Letters to the Editor
Issue date: 3/7/07 Section: KSG News
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To the Editor:
In Jules Flynn's October 4th article "Poll: Scant Volunteerism Among KSG Body", The Citizen reported on a survey completed by the Office of Public Service (OPS, formerly OCPS). The article cited the overall lack of volunteerism at KSG as reflected by a stunning poll result: 25% of students indicated that they have done no service in the last year.
The article also illuminated the current debate on volunteerism at KSG. One camp believes we are preparing for service by being here and that taking 1 or 2 years off from service is necessary to focus on studies. The other camp argues that service is necessary to keep us connected to what's going on "on the ground" and why we are here - to make a difference. But is this really a two-sided debate?
The article neglected to report one of the most telling results of our poll: 65 percent of respondents said they would like to see more public service events in which they can apply the skills/tools they have developed at KSG toward community issues. This statistic implies that there's another camp in the debate: students who will volunteer while at KSG if it complements their studies. Although there are some classes here with a service learning component, the majority of classes never branch out into the community. Waiting for the curriculum to change will not solve the immediate need for more volunteer opportunities that complement our studies.
Based on this article, the poll, and reactions OPS has received to
both, we are proud to host the first ever "10% for Service" Spring Day of Service on March 9th from 12:00pm-5:00pm. The Friday afternoon event will allow 90 KSG students (10% of the student body) to participate in service activities throughout the Boston area. Service projects will range from the requested policy-oriented events such as providing free consulting for non-profits, to the more community-based activities such as after-school programs and recording books for the blind, to even some physical labor projects such as performing much
In Jules Flynn's October 4th article "Poll: Scant Volunteerism Among KSG Body", The Citizen reported on a survey completed by the Office of Public Service (OPS, formerly OCPS). The article cited the overall lack of volunteerism at KSG as reflected by a stunning poll result: 25% of students indicated that they have done no service in the last year.
The article also illuminated the current debate on volunteerism at KSG. One camp believes we are preparing for service by being here and that taking 1 or 2 years off from service is necessary to focus on studies. The other camp argues that service is necessary to keep us connected to what's going on "on the ground" and why we are here - to make a difference. But is this really a two-sided debate?
The article neglected to report one of the most telling results of our poll: 65 percent of respondents said they would like to see more public service events in which they can apply the skills/tools they have developed at KSG toward community issues. This statistic implies that there's another camp in the debate: students who will volunteer while at KSG if it complements their studies. Although there are some classes here with a service learning component, the majority of classes never branch out into the community. Waiting for the curriculum to change will not solve the immediate need for more volunteer opportunities that complement our studies.
Based on this article, the poll, and reactions OPS has received to
both, we are proud to host the first ever "10% for Service" Spring Day of Service on March 9th from 12:00pm-5:00pm. The Friday afternoon event will allow 90 KSG students (10% of the student body) to participate in service activities throughout the Boston area. Service projects will range from the requested policy-oriented events such as providing free consulting for non-profits, to the more community-based activities such as after-school programs and recording books for the blind, to even some physical labor projects such as performing much
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