Using Student Assistance

[Jamie Ewing <tanager96@hotmail.com>]

In reply to Alma and Eileen:

I also touched on this topic yesterday and I agree that graduate students would be a valuable resource for community organizations.  As a law student (with a scientific background), I know that I am very familiar with research techniques and am able to locate legal and technical information rather quickly.  I know my law school and others actively encourage community service and offer recognition of such service.  Graduate students in other fields such as medicine, biological and social sciences and communications also have unique talents that they put to use everyday while getting their degree that would be helpful to communities that don't have the money or time to do the research, dissect the reports and then put it back out there for the layperson.  

Utilizing students may also be more economically effienct for community organizations.  If the student is already in the affected community (or within driving distance), the student might be able to get academic credit for the work without needing renumeration for housing, food, etc.  By offering academic credit, the student can spend more time with the organization instead of preparing for a regular class.  

There are several successful environmental law clinics around the country, however the political climate in some areas curtails their work (i.e., Tulane environmental justice litigation).  But, as this Dialoque as identified, as large stumbling block to effective public participation is that the "public" just isn't able to understand the potential hazards in their community.    

I would think a good community service project for a student or student organization, particularly in an urban area, would be to produce simple one to two page information sheets to be distributed to community action centers.  I would suggest that community organizations utilize student newspapers and bulletin boards in student lounge areas on campuses to recruit volunteers.