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The Benefits of Campus Volunteering
John Race
Program Advisor, Office of Volunteer Programs
Now that the school year has started, I would like to introduce your family to the Illini Union Office of Volunteer Programs (OVP) and student volunteering
in college. Volunteering is a beneficial activity that promotes community engagement, social well-being,
as well as professional and personal development. The University of Illinois and the local community have many volunteer and service opportunities your student can complete. Organizations like afterschool programs, animal shelters, food pantries, and homeless shelters are
just a few examples. There are opportunities for everyone’s interests.
To expand on the benefits of volunteering, your student will develop a better sense of the local community and its needs; build friendships and a network of professional relationships; and learn new abilities, knowledge and skills while serving. These are all essential for your student after graduation. Employers look for the extracurricular activities applicants have been involved with, especially volunteer and service work. Applicants who have explored outside of their academic programs can be viewed as well-rounded candidates. Lastly, volunteering can expand your student’s professional network and possibly even lead to a job reference.
The goal of OVP is to enrich the educational experience of students, faculty and staff at the university by fostering collaborative relationships and partnerships within the community. Your student can visit OVP, located on the second floor of the Illini Union on the Quad side, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to
5 p.m. to speak to a helpful staff member to learn how to get involved. While there, they can also check out brochures, pamphlets and flyers for upcoming volunteer opportunities. Staff members will be able to assist your student in finding a volunteer opportunity that fits the needs and interests of your student. In addition, OVP organizes its own volunteer opportunities and service projects. Throughout each semester, OVP hosts half-day projects, weekend service trips and collection drives for student participation.
Outside the office there are many ways for your student to get involved.
There are approximately 150 service-related registered student organizations (RSOs) each school year. Service RSOs can be found at union.illinois.edu/ uoficonnections. A useful community website to find volunteer opportunities is CUVolunteer.org.
I hope you encourage your student to get involved on campus and in the community and visit OVP to find ways to volunteer. If you have any questions or want more information regarding how your student can volunteer,
please contact OVP at (217) 333-7424 or by email at
ovp@illinois.edu.
Fall 2015
Thanksgiving Break Begins ..................Nov. 21 Undergraduate Halls Close...................Nov. 21 Undergraduate Halls Re-Open..............Nov. 29 Instruction Resumes.............................Nov. 30 Spring Room Change Request Deadline...Dec. 1 Instruction Ends .....................................Dec. 9 Reading Day.........................................Dec. 10 Final Exams...................................Dec. 11 - 18 Undergraduate Halls Close...................Dec. 19
Spring 2016
Undergraduate Halls Re-Open..............Jan. 17 Moms/Dads Winter Board Meeting.......Jan. 17 Deadline to Cancel Registration ........... Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day.................... Jan. 18 Instruction Begins ................................ Jan. 19 Spring 2016 Tuition Due .......................Feb. 28 Moms Board Meeting.............................Feb. 21 Moms Board Meeting............................Mar. 13 Spring Break Begins .............................Mar. 19 Undergraduate Halls Close...................Mar. 19 Undergraduate Halls Re-Open..............Mar. 17 Instruction Resumes.............................Mar. 28 Moms Weekend ............................... Apr. 8 - 10 Instruction Ends .....................................May 4 Reading Day...........................................May 5 Final Exams.....................................May 6 - 13 Commencement ...................................May 15
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Important Dates