Student leaders of international service groups presented recommendations aimed at broadening opportunities for volunteering abroad at yesterday's USG meeting. The proposals were greeted with a round of applause.
U-Councilor Antonio Lacayo '07 introduced seniors Rory Truex and Andrew Turco, who led Princeton-sponsored service projects last summer.
They presented recommendations for creating new opportunities for similar programs at Princeton.
Truex and Turco represented the International Service Initiative (ISI), a panel of the student leaders of the Cruz Blanca Initiative, Engineers Without Borders, and Princeton in Asia's Summer of Service. The panel had the aim of "assist[ing] students in knowing what options are available and help students create new programs for international service," Truex said.
"Something that popped out to all of us is that demand is intensive for international service trips, but there aren't enough spots. Many of our groups had to reject qualified applicants," said Truex, who led the Summer of Service program, teaching English classes at a Chinese college.
Members of ISI, who have already met with University administrators, came to yesterday's meeting to seek the support of the USG. The group recommended creating a specific office for international service, reducing the duration of some trips abroad to allow students to hold additional summer jobs or internships and improving funding by coordinating relations between alumni and student leaders.
"An office could be created within an existing organization," Turco said. "It would be a place for students interested in international service to find out more. It could also provide guidelines for creating new groups, because many students want to start them but don't know where to go."
Truex stressed the importance of involving alumni, citing his experience organizing Summer of Service, for which he worked with the Class of 1948. "If a class has $100,000 in their funds that they would otherwise donate generally to the University ... they can say that they have ownership of an international project which is really rewarding," Truex said.
"I think it's awesome," U-Council chair Liz Gough '07 said, adding that the USG "would be excited to fully endorse" the group's project. Gough's sentiment was confirmed by unanimous approval by the USG and a round of applause.
Representatives also discussed issues related to intramural and club sports, including expanding access to Dillon Gym, defraying costs to members of club sports teams and reforming the office that administers the programs. Intramural and club sports coordinator Cristine McCarthy was criticized by students in a recent Daily Princetonian article, though USG members noted that the complaints were often provoked by insufficient funding for non-varsity sports teams.
The senate brainstormed ideas to increase participation and competitiveness in intramurals and club sports. Some senators defended the system, arguing that club and intramural sports are restricted by insufficient space and funding.
Discussing criticism of McCarthy, academics chair Caitlin Sullivan '07 said, "The real issue behind her burden is funding."
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