Wednesday, January 16, 2002

Wilmington, NC -- In a study published by The Washington Monthly January/February 2002 on-line issue, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington is listed among the top 20 universities in the nation for its commitment to community service through its spending of Federal Work-Study Program funds. UNCW, ranked 8th, was the only public or private institution in North Carolina to make the top 20.

The study was done by The Washington Monthly in conjunction with Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. It was based on 1999-2000 fiscal operation report.

UNCW used 37 per cent of its 1999-2000 Federal Work-Study $327,397 funding to pay students to tutor children in reading and math and to work for non-profit organizations in the community including the American Red Cross and the Brigade Boys & Girls Club. In comparison, the average college devotes less than 12 percent of its Work-Study funds to community service, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Students are approved to participate in the program through the university and apply for jobs directly with approved community service agencies.

Arwyn Harrell, a senior at UNCW, tutors at Pine Valley Elementary School. She changed her major to elementary education as a result of UNCW’s community service program. “It is the reason behind my decision to teach,” says Harrell.

Like Harrell, the majority of students in the UNCW program tutor young children in reading and mathematics. UNCW provides student tutors in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Onslow counties. In addition, UNCW reimburses non-profit agencies for 75 per cent of approved employment costs. Students are currently working for Family Services After School Enrichment, the local chapter of the American Red Cross, the Brigade Boys & Girls Club, the Child Advocacy Commission, Community Boys & Girls Club, and the North Carolina Coastal Federation.

Currently, UNCW’s federal work-study funding is $671,413. A student’s work-study award is 75 per cent federal dollars matched by 25 per cent from a variety of state, agency, and university sources. America Reads and America Counts are both 100 per cent federally funded.

“We expect to spend $335,000 this year on community service work-study employment,” said Mark Williams, UNCW director of financial aid and veterans services. “About 200 students are working directly in local elementary, middle and high schools and 31 are working for other agencies.”

As a result of UNCW’s performance with the community service program, UNCW was awarded an additional $50,000 for its community service program this year from the U.S. Department of Education.

A copy of The Washington Monthly report article, “The Other College Rankings: When it comes to national service America's ‘best colleges’ are its worst,” by Joshua Green, and supporting data are available for review at http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2001/0201.green.html

In addition to the work-study paid community service, UNC Wilmington students gave 28,089 service hours in the community during the 2000-2001 academic year.

Mark Williams may be contacted at 910/962-3176. These students are available to media to share their experiences with the America Reads program. Arwyn Harrell, a senior from Harleysville, Pa., 910/392-9237; Melissa Brown, a junior from Durham, 910/233-3090; and Anna Cauley, a freshman from Kinston, 910/962-4987.