This in itself is not unusual, of course. Hundreds of Connecticut College students volunteer to work with underprivileged youth in the city. What made Allyson's relationship with her young friends different is that she lived right in the same building with them. She and six other CC students chose to be residents of Bates Woods, a situation that gave them instant credibility in the community and spoke volumes about their commitment. Allyson and 500 others on campus this year are bringing renewed passion to an old tradition of community service that began in 1915 when Connecticut College undergraduates first began volunteering at the B.P. Learned House in New London.
Service engages people in active citizenship.
Students here see themselves as change agents, making a difference but also understanding and reflecting on challenges in modern so ciety. Their academic strength and their commitment to serve makes them stronger contributors to whatever professional or personal lives they choose. Students pass this culture from class to class, just as they do with the Honor Code and the responsibility for shared governance. Today, that tradition is helping show the way for others. More than 475 colleges and universities, including Connecticut College, belong to Campus Compact, the national coalition that is leading the movement for campus-based community service.