U. surpasses AmeriCorps goal

The University is leading the state in AmeriCorps volunteers, topping its own goal of filling 15 Pennsylvania Service Scholars slots and extending to 23 the number of participants in the program. After the University filled all of its 15 allotted positions for the Pennsylvania Service Scholars division of the AmeriCorps program last week, the Pennsylvania Campus Compact gave it permission to increase the number of Scholars Although one week prior to Friday's deadline, seven of the 15 slots had yet to be filled, applications poured in towards the end of the week. Penn Program for Public Service Associate Director Amy Cohen said she interviewed about 30 students for the positions. She added that she had not expected to go over the University's allotted number of slots. The University received the greatest number of slots out of the 32 participating institutions in Pennsylvania. The University had to submit names of applicants by Friday. Any spots remaining unfilled at that time would be redistributed to other schools in the state. According to Cohen, 11 of the University's slots had been filled by Monday, but as the deadline approached she applications to the program surged. "During the rest of the week -- because of the deadline, I think -- I got quite a number of applicants toward the middle of the week," Cohen said. Cohen said all applications were in by Wednesday, and decisions were made by Friday. Cohen said that some students waited until the last few days to apply. The University was informed it had received AmeriCorps grants just before winter break and began recruiting students at the start of this semester. She added that stories in The Daily Pennsylvanian about the program may have helped increase the number of applicants. Participating students must work on a service project for 900 hours. In addition, they must take at least one service learning course. Upon completion of their service, they will receive $2,363 from the National Service Trust and a matching grant from the University. Students also receive a living stipend slightly above minimum wage. Director of the Penn Program for Public Service Ira Harkavy was enthusiastic about the students who were accepted as Scholars. "I understand they've chosen absolutely outstanding undergraduates," he said. "I'm enormously impressed with their abilities, their interest and their education." Cohen also strongly praised the Scholars. "I had really wonderful applicants," she said. Harkavy added that these students are "deeply interested in linking their interest in service and academic work to make West Philadelphia better." Harkavy said he feels Pennsylvania is leading the country by combining academics and service. "The University's being able to identify 23 outstanding Pennsylvania Service Scholars is illustrative of the University's leadership role in advancing academically-based community service, the linkage of service to teaching and research," Harkavy said. Cohen said earlier this month that the Pennsylvania Service Scholars program is unique among AmeriCorps programs in that it is linked to academics. "The service is the only statewide higher education service corps in the country," she said.

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