Wednesday, May 2, 2001
The University Daily Kansan: GRADUATION ISSUE
Section B·Page 5
Volunteer efforts offer nontraditional work
By Emily Callaghan Special to the Kansan
Graduation brings exciting opportunities and important decisions. There are graduate school applications, portfolios, interviews and student loans to deal with. Long-term volunteer programs offer a nontraditional way to spend your time after you get your diploma.
The Peace Corps and Americorps have programs that can help alleviate the stress of paying back student loans or finding that first "real job" immediately after school ends.
Furthermore, they can offer an
incredible journey nationally or internationally to a volunteer site where you can become involved with communities of people that are in need.
Volunteers can apply for deferment of many student loans during the time of service, and in certain cases, some loans can be partially forgiven.
Upon completion of Teach for America, an Americorps program, you are awarded $9,450, which you can apply to pay back student loans or toward future education costs. The Peace Corps offers $6,075 at the end of the full term of service.
The Peace Corps has internation-
OPPORTUNITIES ONLINE www.peacecorps.com
www.americorps.org
www.teachforamerica.org
al volunteer programs and secondary education programs that serve at 27-month intervals in 76 countries worldwide. Nancy Stroupe, Olathe graduate, is applying for the Peace Corps Masters International Program.
"When you complete the three years, you have a master's degree and two years of work experience —
that's a rare opportunity," she said. Stroupe is seeking a master's in public health, where one year is concentrated classroom time and the last two are field practicum. This combines learning and hands-on experience.
that's a rare opportunity," she said.
Teach for America places recent college graduates in under-resourced schools at one of 15 sites in the United States as regular teachers. Each year more than 1,500 corps members reach more than 100,000 students. Kate Williams, Wichita junior, is considering becoming involved after graduation.
"In the long run, I want to have a
"I think the best way to
"I think the best way to prepare is to teach and not lose touch with kids."
Kate Williams
Wichita junior
positive effect on teenagers," she said. "I think the best way to prepare is to teach and not to lose touch with kids."
Her interest led her to participate in an Alternative Winter Break to Phoenix, Ariz., a Teach for America site.
"The children changed my life, and continue to inspire me," she said.
Jen Self, who graduated from Western Michigan University with a journalism degree, volunteered for Americorps. She worked for La Puente Home, a homeless shelter in Alamosa, Colo., and is now its volunteer coordinator.
"Americorps changed my focus from wanting to enter into the corporate world to realizing that I always want to work in the nonprofit sector," she said. "I think service after graduation is important for everyone, taking the time to give back has helped me know myself better and what I want to do."
Families find local hotels booked for graduation weekend
Hashinger Hall will offer free lodging to graduating seniors
By Louise Stauffer
Kansan correspondent
An unpleasant surprise may be in store for families still hoping to find a place to stay in Lawrence for commencement. According to hotel managers, rooms have been reserved for the weekend of May 18 to 20 for as long as a year.
In the past, Ellsworth Hall has
provided lodging for families who couldn't find an available hotel. However, this year is different. Eric Grosspitch, director of apartment living for student housing, said lodging in Ellsworth this year seemed unneeded.
"Last year we only had about 40 people stay in Ellsworth," Grospitch said. "In years before, we had about 150 to 200 people. Because of new hotels in town, there's just no need for people to stay in Ellsworth anymore," Grospitch said.
stay in Hashinger Hall this spring if needed. Most of the people expected to occupy Hashinger Hall for graduation weekend will be graduating seniors who need a place to stay. Students can stay there for free from Thursday, May 17, through the evening of Sunday, May 20, but only if they have a spring contract with student housing. Grosspitch said.
Even so, the department will be preparing for about 50 people to
"If a senior needs to stay there, we will let them," he said. "We're expecting very few to ask about it."
Though the housing department said the demand of families to stay in residence halls had
slowed dramatically, hotels in Lawrence seemed as full as in past years.
"We were full six months out," said Ginger Ray, front office manager at the Eldridge Hotel, 701 Massachusetts St.
Ray said that since the Eldridge had only 48 rooms, reservations needed to be made far in advance. He also said the hotel felt no competition with any hotels in Lawrence, new or otherwise.
Other hotels in town have also been booked for more than six months. Heidi Champagne, general manager at the Hampton Inn, 2300 W. Sixth St., said the motel
"My mom is pretty anal about that kind of stuff, so she definitely knew to plan ahead." Tyler Evans Chicago senior
had sold out for graduation week end a year ago. Aimer Malik, manager at Travelodge, 801 Iowa St., said competition with other hotels was not normally felt and being sold out six months before graduation was normal.
Graduating seniors should warn out-of-town parents that they need to reserve a hotel room early. Some parents, however, know to plan ahead. Tyler Evans, Chicago senior, said his parents had reserved a hotel room seven months ago at the Westminster Inn & Suites, 2525 W. Sixth St.
"My mom and dad always had troubles in the past getting hotel rooms to come down for stuff, so they knew that it was going to be really chaotic at this time of year," Evans said. "My mom is pretty anal about that kind of stuff, so she definitely knew to plan ahead."
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