6 The Voice, For students, By Students -L XX ^ X J- ^ December 2, 2011 | www.fsuvoice.conn
Serving the community enhances education
By Daniel Pratar
Voice Staff IVrirer
Many college students want to contribute
to society as well as their community. How
ever, finding the ‘right fit’ for doing your part
can be frustrating and somewhat confusing.
Most times we don’t know where to look
when approaching this moral responsibility.
Luckily, Fayetteville State University has
the Center for Community Justice & Service
Learning (CCJ&SL).
That’s a mouthful, I know, but it’s difficult
to put a label on the huge impact this center
has on the local community. For those of you
who’ve attended service learning courses in
the past, you know what CCJ&SL represents,
a community-university-govemment partner
ship working to improve the quality of life
and the quality of justice throughout the com
munity.
Located in Bronco Square at suite 100,
CCJ&SL started in 2007 with Dr. Melissa
Barlow, director, as the Institution for Com
munity Justice with university funds. In 2009,
the program received the Learn & Serve
Grant for their service learning program.
They have over 50 community partners, like
the NAACP, American Red Cross and De
mocracy of NC, and provide nearly endless
opportunities for students to achieve co-cur
riculum hours.
Ms. Monique Broadhurst, University Pro
gram Associate stated, “Because most part
ners are non-profit, they can’t afford to hire
personnel and heavily rely on volunteers, like
the NAACP.” Many Fraternities and Sorori
ties have also partnered with CCJ&SL to con
duct community action events.
As stated in their Student Resource Guide,
located on the CCJ&SL Bronco Advantage
website, service learning balances emphasis
on course learning objectives and the real
needs of the community. One example in
cludes Political Science students contributing
hours to help with voter registration.
Another involves H.R. Management stu
dents conducting surveys around UNC-FSU
questioning whether someone would rat out
a co-worker for substance abuse on the job.
Ms. Melissa Lyon, SL Program Manager ex
plained, “Students designed the survey.” Ms.
Broadhurst added, “It’s all part of the IPAD-
C system that spans three semesters.” The
first class conducted the Investigation, find
ing that no data on this issue could be found
anywhere. The second class started Planning
a method to compile data, leading to a third
class joining them in the Action of conduct
ing surveys throughout campus.
The Demonstration-Celebration will take
place towards the end of this semester af
ter the data is collected and analyzed in the
CCJ&SL office.
“Hopefully the data can be used to put a
plan in place where employees can feel com
fortable reporting co-workers,” Ms. Broad
hurst said.
These projects benefit both organiza
tions, just as the Food Drive for Hungry An
gels helped to establish a relationship with
CCJ&SL and Cross Creek Early College
High School. The projects not only focus on
the instructions of specific courses, but also
consist of multiple areas in which to help the
commimity.
More than 19 classes participated in ser
vice learning this semester, ranging from
Freshman Seminar and Social Work to Po
litical Science and Criminal Justice. Outside
the classroom, CCJ&SL hosted the Balancing
the Scales: Exploring the Impact of the NC
Racial Justice Act in Seabrook, co-hosted the
Holiday Mail for Heroes event and resource
for various volunteer and tutoring programs
throughout all grade levels in the area.
One of the organizations most popular
events is the MLK Challenge, an annual
event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“We had 172 people come out last year
and we’re hoping for over 200 in 2012!” Ms.
Lyon commented.
This semester’s Service Learning Celebra
tion was held on Nov. 15th at the CCJ&SL
center in Bronco Square. Snacks and refresh
ments were served.
The CCJ&SL staff wishes that more stu
dents would participate in the celebration
held near the end of each semester. This event
involves a social gathering of community ser
vice students who share the same civic and
ethical responsibilities. The warm atmosphere
radiated with students talking about their re
warding experiences from the multiple op
portunities provided.
Obviously, when we think about contrib
uting to society, community service proves
the first logical path to take. Hopefully, for
UNC-FSU students the first place you visit is
the Center for Community Justice & Service
Learning. Also, if you’re still considering
which courses to take next semester, look for
one with service learning in the description.
From one student to another, you won’t be
disappointed. Get involved!
Si-
omlFraeird^t
raiTaniazing fall semester and rrhe^oic^would like to thankT
students, faculty,^staff and the communityJ’or-your.support>"
haveVgreat.hoi^ay!]^
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Special Thanks
The \oicc would like to say congratulations to graduating senior, L'Asia Bnmn. .Ms. Bnnvn is a mass communication
major with a concentration in print journalism. She has been a member of The Voice student newspaper for three
\ears and has held such positions as Editor-in-chief, managing editor, staff w riter and photographer. Ms. Brown was
a part of a small team of students who re\i\ed The \'oice during its hiatus and has been a contributing factor to its
success today. Congratulations and good luck in all your future endeavors!
Sincerely.
The Voice Staff