472 students to participate in fall break service-learning projects

Author: Shannon Roddel and Paul Horn

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Students from the University of Notre Dame will venture to rural and urban areas across the United States during the University’s fall break (Oct. 14 to 20) to take part in a wide array of experiential and service-learning programs, including a new initiative in New Orleans.

A record 472 undergraduates will participate in seminars conducted by Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns (CSC). While community service is an integral part of the program, the students also earn academic credit for the research, writing and classroom work that complement the experience.This year, because of continued overwhelming student interest in helping to rebuild New Orleans, the CSC introduced a service-only opportunity.More than 120 students will join this initiative, and will be remodeling homes in New Orleans without receiving academic credit.

In addition, students will travel to Appalachia to build homes, Cincinnati to study ways to reduce violence in schools, Chicago to examine issues of cultural diversity, and Washington, D.C., to learn about national security.Additional information on the fall break seminars is available at http://socialconcerns.nd.edu/academic/fall/fall.shtml..

Established in 1983, Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns attempts to nurture a concern for justice and peace among students by offering a variety of formative educational and other service opportunities. Some 80 percent of Notre Dame undergraduate students participate in community service projects or academic “serving/learning” courses and seminars coordinated by the center.It has sent more than 10,000 students to sites worldwide.

Contact: Paul Horn, Center for Social Concerns, phorn@nd.edu

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