Service organization reviews goals, responsibilities

by Caroline Croley staff writer

Many people on campus know that Kappa Sigma Omega is an organization that is in charge of events such as Family Weekend, graduation and baccalaureate. But how many know who makes up this club, why this club is on campus and how students can get involved?

Kappa Sigma Omega is a campus organization composed of students who want to promote college spirit and do service for the school. Beside handling baccalaureate and commencement exercises, Kappa holds many other fundraisers,such as candy-gramsaround the holidays.

Tina Longo. a junior and executive board member. said. "'Kappa is a non-segregated club that asks students to give time and do service work, like participating in the phoneathon." Longo added The club welcomes all students. We're always trying to accommodate everyone with everything.··

Sherry Cannan, a junior and the admissions liaison, said every spring Kappa inducts a new class. Members of this class are invited to attend meetings designed to inform students of what the club is all about.

If students are interested, they must fill out an application and arrange an interview with the executive board members. Members are required to fulfill a certain number of service hours.

This can be done by participating in tours for incoming students, the phoneathons, selling tickets for various functions sponsored by Kappa or by helping with the admissions open house.

Danielle Harris, a senior and the executive board president, said, "Members are recruited every February, must be at least second semester first-year students and hold a grade point average of 2.9 or better."

Harris said, "This year, we've had the largest membership, as compared to past years." This year's enrollment is 42 members. Last year, there were 11 members, and seven out of the original 11 have returned. Out of the 42 new Kappa members, Harris said 39 are actively involved. In the total organization, there are 60 to 70 members.

At present, Kappa is busy with executive board elections for upcoming senior officers. Harris said, "Because of Family Weekend and its importance, officers' terms run from January to December."

Cannan said the organization has been going through many changes because of a new campus president and a new student activities director. Cannan said, "We're working with Marianne DeFruscio and listening to her new ideas."

Longo said, "With good communication, Kappa Sigma Omega is a great organization, and we should have a good shot of being a success in the future.''

On the other hand, Judi Panasik, a senior Kappa member, said there has been a lack of communication. Panasik said, "I have been on Kappa since my freshman year, and now, during my senior year, I haven't received letters announcing meetings or anything else that is coming up. "

Panasik added, "As a senior, I don't have time to ask. If it is not in my mailbox, I don't know what is going on. I don't know if it is an oversight or what." • proposals are to be voted on by the student body next week, to change the constitution of the student body. Youdo have uy on campus pollcy. Vote!

Both Panasik and Longo said the organization seemed to run smoother in past years. Panasik said there seemed to be more meetings and fundraising in the past.

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The following are the basicpointsof each amendment. For a complete proposal, see an SGA member:

1. Open electiom uponthe resignation of anySGA member.

2. Amendmenlsmustbeapprovc:dbyZI 3 of voting students.

3-4, 9. President, Vice-President and SocialAdivitiesCllairpCISonofSGA must be at leastjuniors with previous leadership experieoce.

5. Vice-President takes over M Presidentonly if open electionfails to elect newpresident.

6-8, 10. Tn:asurer, Recording and Cortap,1¥ingScaetariesandSocialActivities Assislants must be at least sopbomon:s.

11. Bachclubwitha budgetmustdo TAXI.

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According to an article in last year's Loquitur. dated March 26, 1993, Dr. Antoinette Iadarola_ president, said Cabrini recei,·ed the honor for two major reasons. The first as because of the Seminar 300 Jen) classes. The other reason was that Cabnni had made real efforts to help • ipe out illiteracy, through the prison literacy project at Graterford Prison. This program allows students and faculty to help people learn to read in prisons.

Iadarola said the national center will allow students to rub elbows with professionals who are interested in community service and school change. She said she expects the college to become a place where people of all walks of life come together and discuss what they are doing on the cutting edge of education. The center, according to Iadarola, will bring speakers and interesting people to campus.

Linda Arendt, assistant to the director of the center, said, "This process incorporates service to curriculum, so it is richer to the students.··

Arendt said she is working with Dr. Dawn Middleton, chair of the education department, to prepare teachers to teac to the fullest by involvement.

A recent press release from pubh~ relations said, "The center is a collab0rative effort of PennServe, the Penns) •• vania Dept. of Education and Cabrin. Its primary focus is to encourage school and communities to be bold and innov.tive in their approach to using the powe· of service learning to help drive systemic change in schools."

Pennsylvania Senator Harris Woffor initially recommended Cabrini, base on the college's requirement for community involvement.

The center will provide service including on-site support for schools; access to articles, case studies, strategie reflections and curriculum; with regional and national faculty representing higher education and the business, corporate and non-profit worlds and opportunity to engage in research. to further the knowledge base in the field.

"Leaming in school should be experiential, because that's what life is, " Aren~ said. "The teachers role has to change."