U. struggles to fill AmeriCorps slots

The University has just one week to fill seven of its allotted 15 positions in the Pennsylvania Service Scholars division of the AmeriCorps program, which offers students an opportunity to receive financial aid in exchange for community service. Of the 32 schools participating state-wide, the University was allotted the largest number of AmeriCorps positions, according to Frank Newhams, director of Pennsylvania Service Scholars. But after February 24, the University will forfeit the additional positions if they are not filled. Pennsylvania Service Scholars funds 150 students in Pennsylvania, Newhams said. The University is one of three participating institutions that has not yet filled all of its positions. Newhams said he was optimistic that the school could fill the slots within the next week. The extensive commitment required of AmeriCorps volunteers may have discouraged some students from applying for the program, according to Amy Cohen, associate director of the Penn Program for Public Service. Cohen, who coordinates AmeriCorps activities for the University, added, however, that students "realize it's a flexible commitment" once she explains to them what the program actually entails. Cohen added that the timing of the announcement of recipients may have hurt the school. The University was informed that it received AmeriCorps grants just before winter break and could not begin recruiting until the start of this semester. Another contributing factor, according to Cohen, is the fact that the University has more positions to fill than do other schools. Newhams said failure to fill all 15 slots will not seriously hurt the programs in which students are participating. "I recognize that it will reduce the level of input," he said. "But you're not necessarily reducing the effectiveness of the level that you do put in." Under the AmeriCorps program, students work on a service project for a total of 900 hours, which Cohen said involves a seven to 10 hour a week commitment for five semesters -- as well as working for a summer. According to Newhams, students receive $2,363 from the National Service Trust upon completion of their service, and then receive a matching grant from the University. The money is used to help pay for the students' education. In addition, Newhams said, students receive a living stipend slightly above minimum wage. AmeriCorps was established in the summer of 1994 by the National Service Trust Act, which formed the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Corporation administers funds for all AmeriCorps programs. AmeriCorps has come under attack recently, as the new Republican majority in both chambers of Congress pushes to cut federal spending in order to reduce the federal deficit. The Corporation gave money to the state, which distributed it to various granting agencies throughout Pennsylvania. Those granting agencies -- such as Pennsylvania Campus Compact, of which Pennsylvania Service Scholars is a program -- donated money to schools. Cohen explained the unique nature of Pennsylvania Service Scholars. "AmeriCorps generally is not for students," she said. "The service is the only statewide higher education service corps in the country." Newhams said all of the institutions that Service Scholars is working with across the state have agreed to provide a service learning course for students. According to Cohen, the University's participants are required to take at least one of these courses. They include standard courses in areas such as nursing, anthropology and urban studies. "What we want?is to combine service and learning," Cohen said. Wharton sophomore John Seeg and College sophomore Abby Close became Pennsylvania Service Scholars this semester. Seeg and Close have been involved in the West Philadelphia Improvement Corps since September, teaching students at Shaw Middle School. They are co-coordinators of the school's Environmental Education Program, which Seeg said involves approximately 10 University students. Close said she saw joining AmeriCorps as a logical step because she was already fulfilling the service requirements, and receiving financial aid for the work she does was an obvious incentive. She said an AmeriCorps training session to be held later this month should add to what the students are already doing in the middle school program. Close also said she feels contact with participants in other Pennsylvania Service Scholars programs from around the state will be a "great resource." Seeg said he takes pride in being part of a nation-wide service program. "It's very inspiring and motivating to be part of this national movement in volunteerism," he said.

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