Thursday, November 13, 1975
15
University Daily Kansas
Corps, VISTA take few grads
As the end of the semester approaches, many seniors will be considering the possibilities of landing a job, furthering their education, or traveling, which are choices offered by the Peace Corps and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA).
Recruiting for these and several other volunteer organizations is handled by the government agency Action, according to Mike Dix, area manager for Action.
Dix, a University of Kansas graduate who served with the Peace Corps in Jamaica, said Monday that there were important differences between the Peace Corps and VISTA.
VISTA's workers serve one year in America, he said, and the Peace Corps workers serve from two to five years in America. He also served in America, Africa, and the South Pacific.
VISTA is more social service oriented," Dix said, "while the Peace Corps is more specific, and requires more education and experience."
There are 4,000 opening in the Peace
Campground. For sale; VISTA will need
about 3,000 trees.
Dix said that the trend is toward specialization. Many countries now specify in great detail what they want the volunteer to do.
He said that this trend was reflected in the requirements for applicants to be accepted
The specially skilled fields in education
and agriculture, and any service experience, were now being emphasized.
Because of the specialization, Dix said, liberal arts majors, who used to account for 70 per cent of Peace Corps volunteers, now make up only 25 per cent.
Liberal arts majors, who work for the Peace Corps usually have some skill or trade in addition to their general studies, Dix said.
Language fluency, particularly in French and Spanish, is a valuable asset to volunteers. Dix said. However, more than half of Peace Corps volunteers have no knowledge of the language spoken in their assigned countries.
An intensive three-month training program helps educate the volunteer on the language and customs of his assigned country. Dix said.
Dix said that there had been some changes in the Peace Corps in the last 10 to
The Peace Corps was founded under the administration of President John F. Kennedy in 1961. It reached its peak in 1986, and volunteers were serving the Peace Corps.
in response to criticism concerning the Peace Corps size, it switched emphasis from the quantity to the quality. In July, 1971, recruiting for the Peace Corps and several other domestic
volunteer organizations has been under Action.
Dave Scharnhorst, Wichita graduate student, will be leaving in December to serve the Peace Corps in the country of Tonga, in Polyneia. He said that he chose the Peace Corps partly because of "altruistic motives."
With about 70,000 applications last year,
Dax said, only 10 per cent were submitted.
The number is almost INSTANT.
six said that the five main reasons why applicants weren't chosen, were medical problems, legal problems, not being a United States citizen, not being the legal age (18 years old), and not having a degree or a special skill.
The salary for most volunteers in the Peace Corps is the middle class income of the county in which one serves, according to Scott Ford. Actress recruiter.
Ford said that volunteers also received official transportation in the country, a living allowance, and an adjustment fee. He was hired in Washington, D.C. for each volunteer.
VISTA's workers, Foed said, earn from
and add a month, which pays for room,
break time and meals.
The key to satisfaction in the Peace Center is its positive attitude and pot having great experience.
"It's like anything else you'll ever do," he said. "It can be frustrating if you're not sure."
THE sirloin
LAWRENCE KANSAS Finest Eating Place
Best Place in Town to Bring Your Parents and Friends.
We offer a complete menu featuring the finest in food and service. Private club facilities are available.
Visit the Sirloin this weekend.
Our motto is and always has been... "There is no substitute for quality in good food."
11/2 miles North of the Kaw River Bridge Phone 843-1431 for Information
Open 4:30 p.m.
Party rooms available
Established 1959 Ken Kirby, Owner
MONDAY,
NOVEMBER 17:
9:30, Robert Bush, Council Room Union, on Secondary Education.
12:00, Robert Bush & Irwin Spear Informal Lunch, Meadowlark Room, Union.
TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER
9:30, Irwin Spear, Jayhawk Room Union, "The Role of Micro- Organisms in Cheosemaking."
18: 12:00, Robert Bush & Irwin Spear Informal Lunch, Meadowlark Room, Union.
9:30, Irwin Speer, Lecture,
"Botany for Gardeners,
Biological Problems Affecting the Future of Man."
1:30, Robert Bush, Council Room, Union, on Secondary Education
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12: Dr. Heyns, President of the American Council on Education Lecture, 7:30, Forum Room, Union.
SATURDAY,
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15: HOPE Award Presentation Halftime of Football Game. Reception Following to Honor Finalists and Winners of Higher Education Service Award, Kansas Room, Union.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 16: Higher Education Week Banquet, Guest Speakers: Archie R. Dykes, Governor Robert F. Bennett. Student Tickets $2.00; Regular $4.50. Ballroom of Union. Tickets Being Sold at Student Senate Office, 105B Kansas Union, 864-3710.