University of Miami - Ibis Yearbook (Coral Gables, FL)

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The 1991- 92 academic year was a dynamic one for the University of Miami Volun- teer Services Center CVSCl The number of students in- velved in volun- teer activities throughout UM and the commu- nity increased over previous years. But, more importantly, students in- creased their commitment and involvement in volunteer activi- ties. A student volunteer helps plant trees during the UM VSC Outreach program. provides stu- dents With information about hun- Fall special events dreds of local agencies that were kicked off With Volun- are actively tackling prob- teer Awareness Week, held lems ranging from AIDS to Sept. 16-21. This week was domestic Violence and from successful in heightening homelessness to substance. volunteer awareness not only abuse. In addition to being for new students, but served a liaison between UM and as a reminder to all students the greater Miami commu- as they returned from the nity, VSC hosted many summer break. To make special events throughout certain the message was the year to promote received by the students, volunteerism. VSC went straight to the

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the Cowboys by afinal score 0f40-3. said Lamaina. The Hurricanes dontt lose e at least not for the past 45 games. But winning is not what attracts the maj ority of the fans. People frequent games because they are fun. Senior Dave Ernesberger said hels been tailgating for three years. ttYoulve got all these friends, lots of beer and you meet all different kinds of people? said Ernesberger. ttThatls Why I come? ttThe alumni of the tDelta Sigma Pil fraternity come around at the tailgatesf said senior Victor Calero. the asso- ciate with people we dont see on a regular basis. Tailgates really help get you into the game in a great mood? Tailgates help the players. UM strong safety Charles Pharms reinforced the role A hearty group 0fHurricanefans hope for another win .V ::::: a students play at football games at the season kick-off luncheon. ttWhen you get out on the field, the screams and the cheers help root us on for a big Vic- tory? Pharms said. Calero said he under- stands the role students play. ttYou have athletes that want to be part of a great place, a team that knows they have fans that Will back them up. ttThe Orange Bowl is one of the best places to play inf he said. ttThat stadium is very rich in traditions. That aura of power that is found in the Orange Bowl is not found anywhere else. That is What motivates us, to motivate the players? Tailgates are memorable. tlThe best tailgate Ilve been to? Calero remembers, ttwas the Notre Dame one two F before the Oklahoma State game. The celebration paid off- the Canes blew out years ago. You could feel the excitement for that one. Fifteen alumni showed up, and we had a keg and ribs on the barbe- 93 cue. Student Life 13

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Ratt, sponsoring Promo Night. The week ended with the well- known UM Outreach Day. This campus-wide day of service in South Florida took place Sept. 21. An additional fall event included the United Way Ben- efit Game, held on Oct. 4. Almost 500 volunteers, mostly students, collected over $7,300 during the first quarter of the UM-Oklahoma football game in ' the Orange Bowl. November was another busy month at VSC during which three main special events were hosted by the center: Into the Streets, Hurri- canes Help the Hometown and the Campus-Wide Food Drive. All were successful events. The spring semester special event schedule opened with the Spring UM Outreach Day. This day was similar in purpose to its fall counter- part. One of the highlights of the semes- ter was FunDay, held on Saturday, Feb. 29. The event, Which allowed UM students to buddy-up with Special Olym- pians for a number of activities and sporting events. Giving went beyond a matter of hours and in some in- stances meant smiles or five extra minutes of patience and understanding. The Alternative Spring Break proved that VSC does not stop working when the students do. The event took place While the majority of students were enjoying their week off. VSC organized a multi-day service project to benefit the greater Miami community. The year was completed with two additional special events: a child-oriented program, Sundaes on Sunday, and the National Hunger Clean-up, held on April 11. The success of the center was credited to VSC coordina- tor Carrie Edmondson. Edmondson is not an outsider to university volunteerism. She graduated from UM last year with a dual-major in public relations and political science. In addition to serving as a giving caring UM t J t were invotyed in many community awarenss activities throughout the year. Camillus house was one local shelter that benefitted from volunteer service. resident assistant for three years, Edmondson was active in a variety of organizations, including Omicron Delta Kappa and Iron Arrow. I want to use the center to help the Miami community, and in doing so, help to build community on campus, as well, Edmondson said. The coordintor position is made available to a graduat- ing UM senior. It is a yearly rotating position Which has been filled previously by Ally Koshy and Eva Alvarez. Edmondson was success- ful at recruiting student volun- teers. She created an environ- ment for student initiative and was Vital in educating the students on issues behind the service activities. It was not enough to address and under- stand the problems; solutions were sought. Student Life 15