Community Service

A bill in Louisiana would remove all state funding from a university if its law clinic sues the state, individuals or makes constitutional claims—effectively forcing most of the clinics to close.  The bill comes after industry groups in the state complained about Tulane Universities environmental law clinic, arguing it was driving business out of the state.  Earlier in the year, the law clinic sued the state for poorly enforcing the Clean Air Act.  Industry groups around the country argue that the law clinics discourage business and misuse government funds.  Legal exp

A coalition of student organizations held a flash-mob and placed 1,100 backpacks around the University of Minnesota campus to raise awareness about student suicide last week.  The 1,100 backpacks represent the number of students who commit suicide each year.  Suicide is the third highest cause of death among people between the ages of 15 and 24.  The student groups held the events to raise awareness of student mental health problems and to encourage more people to speak up about the problems students experience on campus.  More from the

On March 13, more than 100 Temple University medical students took a break from the daily grind of studying and exams to give back to their local community.  The students worked on several beautification projects at Kailo Haven, a men’s shelter, as members of the Temple Emergency Action Corps (TEAC). Kailo Haven, located in Philadelphia, is one of the homeless shelters that receives aid from students as part of the TEAC program.  Members of the group work there to help improve the residents’ health and access to care. Medical students Alison Marshall, Golnar Lashgari and Jen

Students of Seattle University have mobilized to support the underserved youth of Seattle’s Central District. The Seattle University Youth Initiative (SUYI) began in 2007; its founders were inspired by a similar $100 million project in which students of San Diego State and community members came together to support public schools in the area. The Seattle U committee, comprised of students, staff, and President Stephen Sundborg, set the objective for SUYI: educating the youth in spite of limited resources. “Education is what we’re good at,” said Victoria Rucker, associate director for

A group of students at the University of Oklahoma are spending their spring break in Haiti assisting missionaries in relief efforts. The students will help members of the Christian Medical and Dental Association set up clinics, treat patients, and counsel Haitians. The Association is a non-profit organization comprised of both students and medical professionals. The students made the trip in conjunction with Oklahoma's Health Sciences Center, an undergraduate school at the University. According to Diane Clay, the Center's Office of Public Affairs spokesperson, the group originally planne

Though hunger is worsening on a national level, students may be particularly hard hit—and also particularly ready to help. Students across the country are flocking to food banks in record numbers, and many of their peers are setting up new food banks on campus to meet rising levels of need. Many are citing tuition hikes and cuts to financial aid and scholarships as the reason for increased need. Michigan State University (MSU) and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) food banks have aided many students trying to make ends meet, and these student-run resources have been growing in popularity

While students across the country are holding fundraisers for Haitian relief, the aftermath of the earthquake is forcing difficult choices on Haitian students in the U.S. Many Haitian students studying in the United States say they feel torn between wanting to return to help their families affected by the earthquake, and concern about the safety of going to Haiti. "I cannot spend a day without thinking about how I can help [my parents]," said Mario Calixte, 26, a computer science major at Virginia Tech. "Seeing that I am helpless, it's killing me," he said. Calixte's parents lost their home

Highlighting the ongoing poverty epidemic, worsened by bleak economic times, students of the University of Wyoming are holding a series of educational workshops and clothing drives in order to aid the local community. The events are honoring National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week, hosted by the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness and the National Coalition for the Homeless. The events at UW are sponsored by the University’s Center for Volunteer Service and Student Leadership and Civic Engagement (SLCE). The week, beginning Nov. 16, will include a seven-day col