Freshman Orientation Service Projects

On Service Day during Freshman orientation week, students are encouraged to participate in a common experience of engagement upon which they can reflect and expand. They have the opportunity to become both informed on a significant social issue and actively involved in understanding how to address that issue. Many faculty, staff, students, and community partners facilitated these engaging educational experiences for new students.

In 2007-08, the chosen projects corresponded to themes present in the Campus Common Reading Program selection for the year, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma.” One group of students learned about a healthy watershed at Lake Wingra and helped to remove invasive species. Others served at a local food pantry to understand hunger and homelessness, a third group helped beautify the Bayview Community center to learn about its focus on developing the family through cultural pride.