SVC mission statement explained: Response to Tory March 2002

Recently, the Student Volunteers Council has become aware of confusion as to the role of the SVC on campus. As a Board Member, I would like to take this opportunity to briefly explain the mission statement and some of the recent decisions made by the SVC.

The SVC is a student-led organization that promotes an ethic of community involvement and works to foster and strengthen partnerships within our community. We build upon the assets of students and other community members and encourage a holistic vision of our community through awareness, action, and reflection. The Board of the SVC is a group of about 20 undergraduates that oversee the direction and facilitation of the SVC as a whole. These 20 students are typically more involved in the community than most, and have many hours of experience working with different agencies in and around Princeton and Trenton.

Because the SVC works in the community, it inherently is involved in political matters. However, the SVC remains non-partisan in that we do not side with a particular party or affiliation. If one political party happens to be in agreement with many of our stances, that is independent of our efforts in the community at large. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, often with much deliberation.

The Boy Scout case presented last year is a good example. One of the statutes in the "Rights, Rules, Responsibilities" publication states that University sponsored activity must be all-inclusive, meaning that activities must be open to all students regardless of personal characteristics or beliefs; this includes sexual orientation.

Thus if a student comes to the SVC with a project proposal that works directly with the Boy Scouts it will be turned down due to the Boy Scouts' position considering homosexuality. Decisions in this sense have no reliance or connection to political stances. Rather, they are manifestations of a commitment to equal respect and dignity for all students and community members both by the SVC and University Law.

In protesting the racial profiling of students, the SVC was responding to the attacks on local community members due to their ethnic affiliation or dress. After witnessing community members shaken by fear and harassment, the SVC decided to support efforts regarding the issue of curbing ethnic discrimination.

The SVC allows certain outside groups and organizations to use its resources (ie: copier machine). This should not be confused with the SVC endorsing a party or group. There is a difference between allowing someone to use office equipment and sponsoring their platform.

As the SVC Board has thousands of hours of interaction with the community at large, the Board is often very aware of how certain decisions or issues directly affect community members. Because of this, the Board occasionally publicly endorses certain movements, such as the WROC campaign last year.

Although the Board is a part of the SVC as a whole, it cannot possibly speak for every single volunteer affiliated with the SVC. There is, and should be, a clear distinction between the board of an institution and the institution itself. Whenever the SVC Board signs its name on a document, it is after careful deliberation between board members not involving the SVC as a whole.

Students who are SVC volunteers or board members are three-dimensional people with various talents, activities, and interests not connected solely to the SVC. Based on this logic, the SVC understands that everything members say or do should not be taken as actions the SVC endorses or of which the SVC is aware. Therefore, if a board member or volunteer, on their own time is interested in volunteering with, or supporting another organization, this decision should not be seen as endorsed by the SVC.

We hope that students with further questions feel confident in approaching the SVC either through email (svc@) or over the phone (258-5557). We are open business hours during the week and are more than willing to discuss any remaining concerns.