UA Students Reach Out to Community Before Classes Start

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Before hitting the books, heading to lectures or turning on computers, more than 300 University of Alabama students returned to campus early and picked up hammers, paintbrushes, rakes, shovels and even medical equipment – all to help out in Tuscaloosa and the Black Belt.

More than 900 students participated and provided more than 7,650 hours of community service in August.

First up – Camp 1831. The three-day welcoming activity organized by UA’s First Year Experience office took about 150 UA students on a retreat so they could learn about Bama’s traditions. Upon their return Aug. 5, they stopped at Holt Elementary School east of Tuscaloosa, where they spent a hot afternoon painting the hallways and preparing the grounds outside for the coming school year.

Their efforts drew UA President Stuart R. Bell for a visit.

A second wave, the week of Aug. 8, went to Central and Woodland Forest elementary schools.

The next week Honors College incoming freshmen and student-leaders from upper classes arrived and headed to various places in a quartet of activities – Alabama Action, Outdoor Action, Black Belt Action and Health Action.

“The Action Experience provides our students with the opportunity to learn about our community, their peers and an opportunity to get engaged in our community,” said Dr. Shane Sharpe, dean of the UA Honors College. “It’s truly inspiring to see how eager they are to learn, give and grow.”

For Alabama Action, about 150 students traveled to Vance Elementary and Brookwood Middle schools to build outdoor spaces for learning as well as spruce up the corridors and help teachers get ready for the annual influx of students.

At Vance, students built a pergola, akin to a gazebo but with an open roof, said Kyle Campbell, a senior from Madison who was supervising work at Vance.

“In my four years with Alabama Action, we have made a unique difference in improving elementary students’ quality of life and education through beautification,” he said.
“Additionally, introducing incoming freshmen to service early instills a sense of community that we hope they will continue to develop in Tuscaloosa.”

In Outdoor Action, about 80 students worked for a week to improve a variety of outdoor settings, including Moundville Archaeological Park, Foscue Park at Demopolis, Deerlick Park at Holt, Lake Lurleen State Park and Hurricane Creek. For example, at Moundville, students helped pick up after a violent summer storm and improved trails.

During Black Belt Action, UA’s Honors College continued its relationship with the community of Marion in Perry County through its 57 Mile Initiative. About 30 incoming freshmen went to work revitalizing a downtown storefront for a new nonprofit office; refreshing the hallways of the public schools with school colors, murals and motivational quotes; and installing a “Hall of Champions” celebrating students’ academic and co-curricular achievements. And with Health Action – a new program for 2016 – students participated in the Focus First organization to provide vision screenings in areas of West Alabama.

One more big opportunity for service – this time open to the entire student body – was the Ripple Effect, a program of UA’s Center for Service and Leadership. More than 500 students worked at such places as Crestmont Elementary, where they touched up paint and did landscaping around the school, and Hay Court Apartments, where they worked on the playground.

“Every year I am amazed by the true selflessness of so many college students,” said Courtney Thomas, director of the center. “For Ripple Effect, they get up early, work hard in the August heat and do it all with smiles on their faces. I love seeing them reach beyond themselves and serve with our community.”

For a video about UA students involved in Camp 1831 doing service at Holt Elementary School, click here.