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118 Clubs at Jackson State on Probation; Lacked Community Service

By Morgan McAboy
Black College Wire

Can a lack of heart become the ruin of student clubs and organizations? It just might: 118 of Jackson State University's student organizations failed to meet last year�s community service requirements and have been placed on probation for the 2003-2004 academic year.

Photo credit: Tyre Kern Members of the Jackson State student chapter of the NAACP hold a registration drive

Beginning in 2001, clubs and organizations at Jackson State were required to be involved in community service projects, and had to provide proof that every member completed five hours of community service in the fall and spring semesters.

Currently, only 32 clubs have completed their community service agreements, according to Lori Jackson-Stewart, coordinator of student organizations and Student Government Association adviser. If the remaining student organizations did not submit proof of completed service hours by Sept. 30, the clubs will remain on probation and will not be allowed to participate in campus activities, such as the homecoming queen coronation, fund-raising drives and other homecoming events.

By engaging in community service projects, students can receive credit on their university transcripts for the hours that are documented.

"Jackson State is located in the heart of the west Jackson community and there is no reason why we should not be doing more for this community,� Jackson-Stewart said.

Klarissa Hardy, a sophomore chemistry/pre-pharmacy major from Tyler, Texas, who serves as vice president of the class of 2006 said she believes that students want to engage in community service but do not know how to go about finding appropriate opportunities.

"They are unaware of activities that are already in place,� she said. �We adopted a nursing home last year and visited a retirement center. Our classmates were excited and displayed a genuine enthusiasm for serving."

Jackson-Stewart added that the problem is occurring with organizations that chose not to follow specific instructions, such as documenting their community service on designated forms within the established time frame of 48 hours.

She said she believes the problem can be solved if organizations would monitor and keep track of their records and understand that each member is responsible for a certain amount of community service time.

"Advisers need to make sure that their organization's numbers are based on the number of people who pay dues. When clubs turn in numbers based on the number of people who come to meetings, I have no choice but to make them accountable for that number of community service hours."

Shawnie Davie, a junior English major from St. Louis, is a member of the Missouri Club that is currently on probation. She says that eventually her club will be reinstated.

"We just didn't have enough members who would volunteer, but I have full faith and confidence that the Missouri club will not be long gone and we will definitely get back on track."

Morgan McAboy is a student at Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss., who writes for The Blue and White Flash.

Posted Sept. 29, 2003