University of Rochester

Community Service

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Student interest in community service is high and has become a distinctive part of student life at Rochester. Seventy per cent (70%) of undergraduates at Rochester are involved in community service, and Rochester graduates choose careers in public service in disproportionate numbers (11%) when compared to graduates at their counterpart schools. Because of this tradition, Rochester has been ranked among the top 15 colleges in service activity by Who Cares magazine. Other guides and books as well, have acknowledged this distinctive part of the Rochester education.

Many of the faith communities affiliated with the Interfaith Chapel offer opportunities for students to engage in community service and outreach as part of their ongoing programming. Alternative spring breaks, mission trips, serving in soup kitchens, clothing and food drives, backpack drives and other similar projects are part of the regular life of the Interfaith Chapel communities on an ongoing basis. Many of such community service projects are undertaken intentionally as interfaith endeavors. Students deepen their own faith commitments and develop respect for those of other faith traditions when they share in the common cause of serving the larger community together.