It is not difficult to miss
opportunities to volunteer on campus or in the greater Eugene community. Whether the community service focuses on the environment, education or promoting annual University events, there are many organizations available which provide the opportunity to benefit others.
The University Community
Service Center of Oregon (CSC), located in Hendricks Hall, is
currently administering six programs designed to serve the needs of rural communities in
Oregon that provide University students with issue-focused learning opportunities.
One of these programs — which puts students to work in rural Oregon communities for a year — is the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) program.
CSC Managing Director Robert Parker explained the importance of student involvement in this particular program.
“It is powerful to have students come into these communities with assistance in pressing needs that these people do not have the resources to cope with,” Parker said.
Some of the programs allow students to help as little as they want and still have just as much of an impact on rural communities.
The Student Alumni Relations Board (SARB), which is supported by the UO Alumni Association, is a student volunteer organization designed to develop leadership and promote University spirit and traditions. SARB is a way to promote and volunteer in community service activities that affect the whole campus, such as periodic blood drives and homecoming celebrations. The meetings are held every other week, at most, and last about 45 minutes.
This organization is great for students who really want to get
involved with University traditions and spirit in a way that makes a difference and does not require an
intense time commitment, according to the SARB Web site.
Oregon Students Public Interest Research Group is another organization offered through the University that provides students with community service opportunities.
According to the OSPIRG Web site, the group focuses on studies of textbook costs, Willamette River cleaning, higher education issues, youth voter registration campaigns, the alleviation of hunger and homelessness, and issues surrounding chemical weapons disposal.
Those interested in joining OSPIRG can sign up on the group’s Web site, http://www.ospirgstudents.org.
Kerra Schimdt, vice president of community service for sororities, said the greek system makes community service a top priority and a requirement for affiliation.
Individual greek chapters organize and conduct events that raise funds for various local and national charities, including: Children’s Miracle Network, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Aid to the Blind, Sacred Heart Medical Center and the American Red Cross.
These events can range from talent shows and lip syncs to Powder Puff football games and basketball tournaments. In addition to these events, most chapters require members to complete set amount of community service hours each term. Members meet these requirements by volunteering at local charity events, soup kitchens, public schools, charitable organizations and clean-ups around the community, according to the Greek Life Web site.
Schmidt explained that “there has recently been a significant increase in the involvement and support from greek-affiliated students in campus-wide events sponsored by non-greek students.”
Schmidt said an example of this is University Day, in which greek members, volunteers with CSC, SARB, OSPIRG and others clean buildings and landscaping on campus.
Kate Webster is a freelance reporter
for the Emerald.
