An alum from the University recently told me he received a 50/50 education here. At first, I thought this was a bad thing, but then he went on to explain. He described his four years at the University, relating the fact that 50 percent of his education came from the academic side, but the other 50 percent was from his participation in organizations across Grounds and in the community. I considered his statement and realized that it may even be more of a 40/60 education for some students. Of course we carry on the traditional academic experience with classroom time, papers and reading assignments, but a lot of learning comes from outside of the classroom.
With more than 700 contracted independent organizations, Student Council, Madison House, the Jefferson Public Citizens Program, fine arts programs, athletics, Resident Life and sororities and fraternities, the opportunities for students to get involved are seemingly endless. Students are passionate about what they are doing to carry on Thomas Jefferson's ideals of self-governance and public service.
Many of these student groups promote public service through 5k runs, bake sales, concerts and even flip-cup competitions. Whether its reaching out to support the aftermath of Haiti, the U.S. Armed Forces overseas, Parkinson's disease or even the local Charlottesville homeless, students take an active approach to community engagement.
One of the newest organizations at the University, PURSUIT, was founded on similar ideals of promoting student activism and social awareness about key global issues through hosting a University-wide conference with prominent speakers, interactive workshops and large student leader participation. The PURSUIT - Passionately Unite Respect Serve Understand Initiate Together - Conference makes its debut April 17 to address environmental, social justice, education and health issues in order to discuss global problems and propose solutions, uniting the college community in service to the global community.
Because PURSUIT is a new organization at the University, it is not yet well-known among students, faculty and the community. Through collaboration with other student organizations, PURSUIT aims to promote the Conference and gain support and encouragement from other active student groups. PURSUIT is currently supported by 22 student organizations. With 200 expected participants from such diverse backgrounds, students will actively engage in discussion with their peers, make connections with distinguished speakers and learn how to make an impact in both the local community and global society.
The keynote speakers, excelling in student activism and leadership, will encourage student participation. Calvin Sun, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and Board Member of the East Coast Asian American Student Union; Zach Kolodin, co-founder and executive director of Young People First; and Zim Ugochukwu, assistant director of helloCHANGE and co-founder of Ignite Greensboro, will address the attendees in a unique and interactive way in the morning and discuss issues with students throughout the day. They are calling all students to take action and reach out of their comfort zone to new perspectives and possibilities.
A unique conference, such as PURSUIT, must be matched by an equally unique format. The conference will begin with a compelling break-dancing competition amongst local Virginia schools, followed by three workshops for students to attend. Both lunch and dinner will be provided for all attendees free-of-charge, catered by University Dining, and the conference comes to a close with an activism fair for students to get to know the speakers and find out more detailed information about how they can get involved.
Student involvement has become such a great part of student life at University, and the PURSUIT Conference kicks off Earth Week at the University, sponsored by the University Unity Project to integrate sustainable living in student life. Cavaliers Care, a local community service project for students at the University and the local community also will take place April 17 and University sponsors a Public Service Conference on April 16. Never has there been a more active time at the University where students are so eager to make a difference. Just by becoming active in discussions students can learn from one another and make informed decisions about the future.
What do you want to change in the world? Spend the day pushing your own boundaries to discuss tough social issues in hopes of finding solutions.
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