Some incoming students begin their community orientation early

By Rob Fuentes

Forty Cornell freshmen arrived a week before the beginning of classes this summer to participate in the fifth annual Pre-Orientation Service Trips (POST), a four-day, hands-on introduction to community service in Ithaca.

President Hunter Rawlings addresses new students and their families during the President's Convocation in Barton Hall Aug. 19. Nicola Kountoupes/University Photography

Arranged by the Cornell Tradition office and the Cornell Public Service Center, the program highlights public service opportunities in and around Ithaca by giving incoming students the chance to work with various local agencies.

"We are engaging and attracting the students who we hope will become leaders in the area of public service while here at Cornell," said Renee Farkas, POST coordinator. "It gives students the opportunity to be part of the service tradition that Cornell holds dear and allows students to make connections and get to know other fellow students who have common interests and experiences."

Students spent the four days living in Boynton Middle School and in homes owned by Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services. During the day, they performed light renovation and maintenance scheduled by various Ithaca agencies, including the Ithaca Youth Bureau, the Tompkins County Senior Citizen's Council, the Reconstruction Home and Catholic Charities.

"We had so much help, I didn't know what to do with myself," said Ron Havard, a board member of the Senior Citizen's Council, which provides health and wellness activities. "They eased things for us."

After working during the day, students attended social activities designed to introduce them to Ithaca. Outings included dinners with representatives from local agencies, scavenger hunts, nights on the Ithaca Commons and an end-of-program barbecue at Treman State Park attended by Ithaca Mayor Alan Cohen and Susan Murphy, Cornell vice president for student and academic services.

"It's great way to make friends, learn about Ithaca, get involved, help people and give something back," said Karthiq Ramanan, from Poughkeepsie, N.Y. "We're right there, in the community. If you're interested in that, this is a great way to discover it."

Making friends while providing service was frequently cited as one of the program's strengths.

"It's so much fun. You don't have many opportunities like this during the school year," said team leader Stephanie Chin, a junior. "You meet a lot of great people."

Project coordinators at local agencies arranged work schedules and detailed opportunities for future involvement. The students who have participated in POST have a history of maintaining and expanding their activities in the Ithaca community, coordinators stressed.

"I'm already thinking of jobs that are begging for next year," said Alice Green of the Ithaca Youth Bureau, which serves over 4,000 children and families by providing activities such as a big brother/big sister program, recreational and athletic activities and other youth services. "They did a great job renovating our equipment areas," said Green. "We could never have tackled it in the time they did. They have good spirits. It was a real boost for our staff. They're well organized and full of energy."

POST began in 1996 from discussions among various campus groups and offices concerned with maintaining and enhancing the area's natural and social environment and with providing public service. Cornell Tradition and the Public Service Center combined their efforts to organize POST. Students learned about and apply for the program through an orientation brochure mailed in the spring. Participants are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis.

The students who choose to participate tend to have a history of public service, and "they tend to end up being leaders in other community service activities," Vice President Murphy said.

Added Mayor Cohen, "POST improves the conditions of both individuals and organizations in our community."

"This is like a family," said Kenesha Brathwaite of Fairlawn, N.J., while painting at the Senior Citizen's Council. "You become friends with these people."