Wilson Days: Connecting students to Rochester

A14-year tradition of community service is expanding to two days in an effort to promote community awareness and activism among first-year students. More than 1,600 participants are expected to join 80 neighborhood organizations in revitalization projects and community service work on August 30 to 31.

Wilson Days 2002 will include the traditional day of student volunteerism along with a new urban issues workshop series. In addition, students will participate in a second day of activities that includes an introduction to the Rochester Transit System (RTS) and to some of Rochester's historical and cultural offerings.

"Wilson Day is truly an extraordinary tradition at Rochester," says Jody Asbury, dean of students in the College. "It has helped us grow as a community on campus and increased our understanding of the world off campus. Every year I tell students, 'You are going to meet many heroes and heroines, learn from their words, actions, and experiences.' "

The goal of the program is to encourage students to become active city residents during and after their four years at the University. As the first initiative of its kind in the country, Wilson Days has grown over the years to include faculty, staff, and students as well as alumni all across the country.

Past volunteer opportunities have included picnics at Seabreeze Amusement Park for over 300 clients of AIDS Rochester, cleanup sites at various city parks, and food sorting at Foodlink, a nonprofit organization that fights hunger.

This year, freshmen will be divided into two groups. On August 30, one half will participate in service projects with community agencies; the other half will be on RTS Mock Runs that include two-hour guided tours of the city along four bus lines. Groups will switch places on the following day.

More than 70 percent of Rochester undergraduates are involved in community service projects. The Community Service Network, an organization managed by students, coordinates mini-Wilson Days during the year and matches individual students and campus groups with volunteer opportunities.

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