Campus Life ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK
who live far away from the College: it gives them an experience to travel and explore new places.” Although she isn’t a big On March 16, five Southern Vermont Students with Resi- cook, she was most excited to volunteer at the Ronald McDondence Director and Civic Engagement Coordinator Corie ald House. Hershey loves community service and sees this as a Steinke headed off to Portland, once-in-a-life-time opportunity Maine, for a four-day trip of servto donate so many days of service. ice. These amazing students dediWhile Alternative Spring Break cated their spring break to helping is not yet an “official” College others. They worked with Rippling club, they have been working Waters Organic Farm, Ronald hard to raise funds for their trip. McDonald House and Good ShepHershey would love to see this herd Food Bank during their stay. group become “official” and will They did such jobs as seeding, encourage more students to take transplanting and prepping the part. During finals last semester, greenhouse for spring on the they sold Care Packages, which “It was a heart-warming feeling hearing ‘thank you’ from the Organic Farm, sorting and insites that we volunteered at and knowing that I made a parents bought for their students difference in the community. It was a great way of giving back specting food at the food bank and filled with goodies. Aside from to the community and at the same time representing SVC, soon cooking a meal for the residents of that, they collected recyclables to to be my Alma mater.” —Hershey Canta ’13 the Ronald McDonald House. take to the redemption center. The students are Kim DeMair ’13; Hershey Canta ’13; They also hosted a Soup-er Bowl fundraiser. Ashley Tatro ’14, Shante Ramires ’15 and Marissa Flores ’15. This trip gives students the chance to explore a new city Before the trip, Hershey said she was so excited to do some- they might never have had the chance to visit in addition to thing different with her spring break. “It’s great for students donating their time.
MOUNTAINEER EVENTS BOARD When Karoline Chrzanowski-Sears, Director of Student Involvement, began her job at SVC three years ago, she created the Mountaineer Events Board (MEB). The largest student organization on campus, this group brings campuswide entertainment to all SVC students. They host events which include magicians, mind readers, comedians and newly released movies. MEB also sponsors off-campus trips to New York City, Boston, late night bowling and apple picking. The MEB is comprised of paid and volunteer student workers, led by two programming assistants, who advise, supervise and guide the general members. Over the last three years attendance at all events has climbed. Having students who love campus life pick out the events and encourage their friends to attend, makes a big difference. Last fall, the board hosted a total of 44 programming opportunities. Eight events were educational, and the 8
SVC/SJC CHRONICLE
Growth in Participation of Residential Students
Comparing Fall to Fall and Spring to Spring, residential participation has nearly doubled.
remaining 36 were social. A total of 34 of the events took place on campus. Two hundred and eighty students participated in campus programming this past fall. Of that number, 260 were residential students; this results in a 79% participation rate. With the success of the MEB, students will continue to see new and exciting events for them to attend.