Every year, hundreds of students in the College devote their time and energy to community service. In addition to the satisfaction they receive in helping their neighbors, they also gain valuable work experience. Through NYU’s Office of Community Service, students volunteer with dozens of not-for-profit organizations throughout New York City.

Community service provides an opportunity to address major social, health, hunger, and environmental issues. Through service, students enhance their leadership skills, find fulfillment in giving back something to the community, and build new relationships while learning more about themselves.

Activities

There are many ways to become involved in activities on and off campus. Students in the College collect canned goods, conduct toy drives, and distribute bag lunches to the homeless. They work in dropout prevention programs that encourage high school students to stay in school. They renovate houses and make them livable again. Students in the Presidential Scholars Program participate in ongoing service projects such as the Dean’s Service Honor Corps, the University Settlement House, the Door, and the Beacon House. Whether their involvement is with the sick, the poor, or those who simply need a helping hand, student volunteers give of themselves freely. And they all agree that they get back much more than they give.

To strengthen and further support community service initiatives, the University sponsors a central Office of Community Service (www.nyu.edu/community.service). In addition, the President’s Office sponsors a special C-Team for ser-vice involving over 250 students working as tutors and mentors for young people at sites in Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side. Regular meetings and social events are sponsored by the Office of the President. Members are invited to submit proposals for special projects where they can call on their own skills and talents. For more information, contact 212-998-2329.

Students selected for the Scholars Program in the College of Arts and Science have the opportunity to apply for the Dean’s Service Honor Corps. The Honor Corps makes a special commitment to community service and assumes a leadership role in promoting ser-vice in the College. This group of qualified scholars works with the dean on a weekly community service project.

Service-learning courses link structured academic course work with community service for academic credit. The College offers service-learning courses related to the numerous majors and academic areas of concentration available to the students. For more information about these courses, contact particular departments or Associate Dean Richard Kalb (212-998-8140).

Many student clubs and organizations, such as Asian Initiative and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, sponsor special ser-vice projects and philanthropic events throughout the year. To find out more about becoming involved, contact the Office of Community Service (212-998-2329) or the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (212-998-4710).

In addition to clubs and organizations, the Office of Student Activities sponsors Alternative Breaks, nontraditional winter or spring vacations in which students participate in a weeklong community service project. Another option available to students is OutReach, a volunteer corps that introduces freshmen to service in New York City (212-998-4954).

The NYU Office of Community Service (212-998-2329) provides students with information about service opportunities. Hundreds of volunteer positions are on file in this office. Personnel are available to provide advice and support, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Office of Community Service also sponsors special events and welcomes organizations to post volunteer positions.