OACS Update

Posted by Eileen Remley on Sunday, October 16, 2016 in News Blurbs.

OACS Global Service-Learning Programs Accepting Applications

OACS is accepting student applications for our summer 2017 service-learning programs to Ecuador, London, Morocco, and South Africa. OACS Service Programs challenge students to question their perspectives and roles in the shared human experience through pre-service curriculum, intensive service, post-service skills application, and continuous reflection. The programs are prudently planned in order to best facilitate students’ abilities to connect meaningfully with people different from themselves through humble engagement and reciprocal dialogues within host communities. Through this exposure to firsthand knowledge and lived experiences, students will examine the deeper issues related to equity and justice and identify systematic barriers to equality and inclusivity. Students with a sincere desire to grapple with the complexity of human connectedness, to challenge their known values, and to reconcile academic knowledge with an authentic exploration of social and environmental injustices are encouraged to apply for an OACS Service Program. If you know of students who may be interested in applying, please direct them to the website.

Nichols Humanitarian Fund’s 10^th Anniversary

OACS is proud to announce the 10^th anniversary of the Nichols Humanitarian Fund. The Nichols Humanitarian Fund was established in 2006 by the E.C. and Lucile Hamby Nichols Trust, and by Edward C. Nichols, Jr. (JD ’70) and his wife, Janice Nichols. The Fund is a companion scholarship fund to the Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal, and encourages Vanderbilt students to become better citizens of the world and to broaden their thinking by volunteering for humanitarian efforts.  The Fund enables students to volunteer for domestic or international humanitarian service opportunities by making support available for educational, travel, and living expenses during their time of service. The Fund distributes awards based on merit and need to Vanderbilt students to pay the expenses of their humanitarian activities. Since the Fund was established, 261 scholarships have been awarded to Vanderbilt students, enabling them to pursue humanitarian missions to virtually every part of the world. Please join OACS at the annual Nichols Reception in the Commons Multipurpose Room, Thursday, October 20^th 4:30-6:00.

Presidential Debate Watch and Voter Registration
The Presidential Debate Watch on Sunday, October 9^th attracted 65 students. About half of those in attendance either registered to vote for the first time or requested their absentee ballot from their home state. Dr. Allison Anoll from the Political Science department began the event with a talk about American political behavior which set the stage beautifully for the students to critically watch the debate. Students were charged to engage in the debate, not from the standpoint of changing opinions, but in terms of being responsible for their views as responsible and informed citizens. Throughout the debate, students engaged in unprompted civic discourse with those sitting near them and many came up to ask questions about voter registration. The event also brought a large number of international students who asked questions about voting in the United States.

OACS will be hosting one more event in the Presidential Debate Watch and Voter Registration program series before the General Election on Nov. 8th

• 19th Presidential Debate – Guest speaker Dr. Clive Mentzel, Director of OACS and Affiliated Faculty – Political Science and Medicine, Health, and Society

Visions Skills Development Sessions

OACS is proud to lead 22 Visions Skills Development Sessions for our first year students. These sessions, on Civic Engagement and Ethical Service will occur through October and involve approximately 330 students. We thank all our faculty and student VUCeptor partners for selecting OACS to participate in this important program.

World on Wednesdays

Dr. Clive Mentzel and Kelly Perry were proud to host their WoW, entitled “Dealing with the Deleterious Effects of a Racist Society: A South-African Service-Learning Case Study” on October 12^th with 56 people in attendance. This lecture focused on identifying the impact of a society that was racist by design and remains racist in practice. The lecture reflected on some of the methods used to deal with deep-rooted racism, and looked at the experiences of VU students experiencing a post-apartheid society through the lens of service. Suggested solutions to racism were also explored.