Spring Break
Program offers students hands-on learning
Lori Hanley, Daily Staff Writer
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For the past three years, she has worked at the Fair Oaks Community Center in Redwood City making referrals to those looking for shelter and giving information to those in need.
"Family after family comes in needing help," Ramirez said. "I started feeling overwhelmed. I didn't know what to do anymore. The shelters are full and the waiting lists are too long."
Ramirez said she decided to enroll in the service-learning sociology course, Homelessness and the Urban Housing Crisis, to hear what other people had to say about the homeless problem.
She is just one of many students who is choosing to enroll in service-learning courses to integrate community experiences with their academic learning.
According to Kris Brostrom from the Center for Service Learning, there is no official definition for service learning.
"Service learning is basically taking academic learning and pushing it into the real world," Brostrom said. "It is taking a social issue and applying it with community partners to alleviate the need."
As a class requirement, Ramirez said she volunteers about two hours a week at the Low-Income Self-Help Center.
She said she interviews and photographs families about their renting experiences in San Jose.
Ramirez said the information she has collected will be published in a book and presented to the San Jose City Council next month.
"I wanted to learn how homeless people survive day to day," Ramirez said.
She said that the class has been a great experience overall.
"You are able to develop a sense of social advocacy toward the community and those who are forced into these situations," Ramirez said.
According to Rebecca Sperber, the program coordinator for the Center for Service Learning, service learning is growing rapidly.
There are more than 18 service-learning courses on campus, which are offered in departments ranging from psychology and sociology to business and health science, Sperber said.
Established in January 2000, the Center for Service Learning provides resources to students and professors, Sperber said.
She said the center provides mentoring and training workshops for faculty, assists professors in connecting with community partners and gives class presentations to raise awareness among students.
Communications Professor Federico Varona said service learning is useful to promote change.
"I want to help my students to exercise social responsibility and make them aware of the major needs in community organizations. They can make a difference," Varona said.
Professor Henriette Langdon's class, "Language and Speech for Normal and Exceptional Individuals," requires students to take a language sample from a child, analyze the sample and present the results to the child's parents.
"Because it is a core class, I wanted to make the material more relevant to my students. I wanted students to be involved in applying knowledge and giving back to the community," Langdon said.
Women's Studies Professor Charla Ogaz said service learning raises consciousness.
"Women's studies, in general, is about changing lives," Ogaz said. "Books don't give the opportunity to act. They can only give the inspiration to act."
Ogaz said service learning can also be frustrating.
"As a teacher, you give up control of what the students are learning once they leave the classroom," she said. "You have to do a lot of behind the scenes communication to make sure everyone is on task. It is more work, but it is very rewarding."
Although undeclared major Efrain Torres has never taken a service-learning class, he said he wants to in the future.
"Anything to help out the community. There are always people out there that are in need," Torres said.
He said time constraints may be a concern for some, but he would find time to help out the community.
Sperber said service-learning courses require students to spend at least one hour a week volunteering.
"The courses are not designed to be an additional burden. It may seem like it requires more time because it is different and nerve-racking," Sperber said.
Mechanical engineering student Tony Seekao said he would only take a service-learning class if it was a requirement for his major.
"I am sure it's good for the community, but it's not for me," Seekao said.
Michael Fallon, from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, said service-learning students are critical to the organization, and about 20 students per semester perform a variety of tasks at St. Vincent de Paul's.
Students from Malu Roldan's management-information classes have helped the organization upgrade its technology and developed training labs for its staff.
"Our technology program is San Jose State. If it weren't for this partnership, our technology would not be anywhere near what it is today," Fallon said.
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