UA Honors Students Start College Careers with Community Service

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – For most college freshmen, the first few days on campus focus on moving into the dorm, making new friends and adjusting to new class schedules, but for 15 freshmen in The University of Alabama’s honors program, the first week of college has a different focus. These students are coming to the University a week early to begin their college careers with a community service project.

The freshmen, along with four upperclass students, are participating in “Urban Action,” a new program that combines community service in nearby Greene County with lectures and assignments that focus on issues of poverty. The students will spend the week of Aug. 13-17 painting and refurbishing the Boys and Girls Club in the Greene County town of Eutaw as well as reading to and tutoring students in Eutaw’s elementary, middle and high schools. During the evenings, they will attend lectures on campus, keep journals and complete assigned readings to earn one hour’s college credit.

Dr. Cathy Randall, director of the University Honors Program, gives current Honors Program students credit for creating the program. Kana Ellis, a junior psychology major from Tuscaloosa and incoming president of the Honors Program Student Association, came up with the idea after attending a conference last year and is serving as director of the program.

“We were looking for a way to help students get acclimated to the University. Through Urban Action, they will be helping others and earning an hour of honors credit at the same time,” Ellis said.

Randall noted the program’s potential not only for bonding among incoming freshmen but as a catalyst for future community service.

“This program is so important because it will empower students to see what they can accomplish in a week. We hope it will encourage them to continue to work within their communities, not only during their college years, but throughout their lives,” Randall said. “The evening seminars will help put the work experience into context and provide students with time for reflection.”

The one-hour course, titled “Exploration of Poverty,” will include lectures on the history, politics and economics of poverty as well as legal issues of poverty and social sciences and poverty. Teaching the course will be UA faculty members Dr. Amilcar Shabazz, assistant professor of American studies and director of the African-American studies program; Dr. Fran Oneal, instructor of political science and New College; Dr. Paul Stuart, professor of social work; Dr. John Formby, Hayes Professor of Economics, and Dan Filler, assistant professor of law.