AmeriCorps looking for students
Only one application was received for a program seeking a minimum of 12 USM students to be community service leaders in 2002-2003 through the AmeriCorps Education Award Program.
Undergraduate students who sign up receive a federal grant of $1,000.
“This program is a fabulous deal for students, and a win-win-win for the student, the University and the wider community as well,” said Andrea Thompson McCall, assistant to the vice president for Student Development for Interfaith Programs and services, who administers the program.
The program enrolls students for 300 hours of service. Programs include working with elementary school children, the homeless, youth mentoring and low-income housing.
AmeriCorps members receive leadership development training, work-study wages for most of their hours of service, and a $1,000 education award after completing their service.
McCall is baffled about why word of this program seems not to have reached students, or why they are not responding.
“Students should be beating down our doors to get into this program,” she said. Spring enrollment for the program, which runs from September 2002 to June 2003, is open until May 1, and there is another window of opportunity early in the fall.
Call McCall for more information at 228-8284 or e-mail [email protected]
Bring home a cigar
Twenty undergraduate and graduate USM students will attend classes at the Universidad de la Habana, Havana Cuba through a special summer program.
A team of Universidad de la Havana faculty will provide lectures on topics ranging from biodiversity, political organization in Cuba, to the position of women in a revolutionary society.
Students will be in Cuba from June 22 though July 6, 2002. They will attend classes during the morning and go on field trips in the afternoons. There will be numerous opportunities to meet and interact the local population.
Associate Professor of Literacy Education Henry C Amoroso, Jr. and Criminology Professor Sandra Wachholz are the trip organizers.
Amoroso has worked in the Caribbean as a literacy worker, and has taken classes at the Universidad de la Habana.
During their stay, students will keep a journal and upon their return submit a research paper or creative work.
Those interested in travelling to Cuba next academic year should contact Amoroso at 780-5198. For additional information go to : http://www.usm.maine.edu/~amoroso/courses/index.htm
Traditional verses non-traditional
USM student Stacie Arsenault, a senior psychology major from Windham, was selected in a nationwide competition to share her research on the role of computers in promoting learning with leaders on Capitol Hill.
The council on Undergraduate Research selected 80 students throughout the country to display their research. Arsenault is the only Maine college student selected. Her research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of replacing traditional large college introductory courses with an interactive Web-based approach.
In conducting her research, Arsenault used a range of surveys administered to student enrolled in computer-enhanced intro psychology courses and traditional psychology courses.
Arsenault’s research concluded that the “computer-enhanced course improved learning and retention of material” and “was reported to be a more enjoyable and rewarding learning experience that the traditional lecture,” she said.
Hotline advocates needed
Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine is looking for hotline advocates to begin training on May 18 to work on a 24-hour crisis hotline for male and female survivors of all ages.
A comprehensive 42-hour training covers topics including crisis intervention, child sexual abuse, male survivors, medical protocol and legal issues. Flexible shifts are available, beepers are provided and advocates can work from home. Space is limited and all applicants must participate in a screening interview. For more information contact Scott or Charlene at 1-888-313-9900 or e-mail at [email protected]
Do some spring cleaning
Saturday, May 4 Gorham students and community members will have the opportunity to donate to Goodwill.
A Goodwill truck will be parked in lot G-8 on the Gorham campus from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Goodwill will accept clothes and clean household items.
They request only working televisions and clean furniture. However, there are items they will not accept such as computers, humidifiers, textbooks, and concrete bricks or stones.
Race to Benefit YWCA and USM’s Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence
On Sunday, May 5, 400 runners and walkers of all ages are expected to participate in the 4th annual YWCA Race Against Racism.
The Race begins at 9 a.m. and ends at YWCA, 87 Spring Street, Portland. A Kids Fun Run precedes the Race at 8:15 a.m., led by Chief of Police, Mike Chitwood.
The Race is an awareness-building activity and a community fundraiser for the YWCA’s national message to eliminate racism wherever it exists.
Each year, the YWCA contributes a part of the race proceeds to a local effort dedicated to racial justice issues. The beneficiary of this year’s Race is the Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence at USM.
Funds will be donated to the Center’s newest project, “Responding to September 11: Stop the Hate.”
The project was created to address the impacts of bias and hate being directed at Muslims and Arabs (and those mistaken to be Muslim or Arab) here in Maine since the terrorist attacks.
Over 100 volunteers are needed the day of the Race for registration, water stops and other logistics. For more information, or to volunteer, contact PJ Mottram at 874-1130 ext. 3049
Have a heart and walk!
Walk to fight heart disease and stroke on Sunday, May 19 at the American Heart Walk areound Back Cove at 9 a.m.. Registration begins at 8 a.m. in Portland’s Payson Park off of Baxter Boulevard.
For more information contact Rodney Mondor at 780-5241. A Web site also has additional information and the names of team captains for USM: http://www.usm.maine.edu/involve/Events/Heartwalk/index.html