<p>Some were wondering what things other than University Fellows are available for Students to do…</p>
<p>**
Alabama Action**</p>
<p>Alabama Action is an action-oriented service-learning experience for incoming Honors College freshmen and responds to the needs of the community and the opportunities to foster sustainable change. For one week prior to the beginning of classes in August, honors students work together on an Alabama Action project that combines service to the Tuscaloosa community with enriching academic sessions taught by University professors and community leaders.</p>
<p>Outdoor Action</p>
<p>Outdoor Action is an orientation and service-learning course for incoming UHP freshmen. In the week before the fall semester, students will become familiar with our local natural environment, will learn about critical environmental issues as seen through the eyes of UA faculty, and will complete a service project.</p>
<p>**
Honors Mentoring**</p>
<p>This course builds on students’ previous service learning experiences and their understanding of the value they bring to at-risk students. In addition to learning how to be academic mentors, students will learn through a practicum in the school environment how to address social and familial concerns. Participants enrolled in this course will become better equipped to play a larger role in an at-risk student’s success</p>
<p>Bridge Builders</p>
<p>Bridge Builders is a nonprofit organization that brings together a diverse group of Alabama high school students to develop their leadership skills through community projects, discussions, and experiential learning. This course allows students to examine leadership development, cultural competency, and relationship building while working with Alabama’s youth, ages 15-18. In addition to class discussions and coursework, students will also serve as counselors at a weeklong Bridge Builders session mid-June in Montgomery, AL.</p>
<p>Hispanic Jumpstart Program</p>
<p>Originated by Honors College students, the Hispanic Jumpstart Program* is designed to benefit preschool students as they learn English as their second language. The program benefits students learning an additional language and works to break down the barriers that may keep people from assimilating into the community. Offered free of charge, the program works to break down barriers and prepare the children for both the academic and cultural challenges of school.</p>
<p>*Program is managed and supported through the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, The Blackburn Institute, and local city schools.</p>
<p>**
Save First: A Look at Poverty in America***</p>
<p>This service learning course allows students to examine perceptions and policies toward those living in poverty in the United States while providing essential tax preparation and financial literacy services to members of the local community. In addition to classroom discussions, students will participate in the Save First Initiative, which trains college and graduate students to offer free tax preparation services and financial literacy information to working families across the state of Alabama. Students will be trained to complete simple tax returns and then use this expertise to serve low-income individuals at sites located within low-income Tuscaloosa and Birmingham neighborhoods.</p>
<p>**
Speak Up Tuscaloosa**</p>
<p>Speak Up Tuscaloosa is a University Honors Course in which college students team-up with 7th graders in Tuscaloosa after school programs to teach them the fundamentals of debate. Using successful mentoring techniques taught in weekly seminars, each University student will captain a team of 2-3 7th graders, meeting with them once a week to go over topics such as researching, case writing, and extemporaneous speaking. The semester will culminate with a competitive debate tournament.</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>Freshmen Experience Community Service Projects**</p>
<p>To increase freshmen involvement in the Honors College, there will be intermittent community service projects throughout the Freshman Year. Projects serve not only to help facilitate freshmen transition to college, but to create a social opportunity to get to know fellow Honors College freshmen, while impacting the community. Community service projects are hands-on, such as Hurricane Creek cleanup.</p>
<p>**
Leadership UA** - A group of students who periodically meet with UA President Dr. Witt and Provost Dr. Judy Bonner to develop and implement improvements to UA. </p>
<p>**College First
**</p>
<p>If you’re going to be in the Huntsville area this summer, you have an opportunity to make a difference in your community and earn Honors credit through the CollegeFirst AP Mentoring Initiative. You can enroll in an Honors course (with a writing designation) and learn about educational disparities and national reform efforts while helping high school kids in your home area succeed in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework.</p>
<p>CollegeFirst is a new program taking place in Huntsville during summer term I. You’ll spend the first week (June 1-4) learning how to be a pre-AP instructor/tutor in English, calculus, biology or chemistry. With the help of lead AP teachers, the following three weeks (June 7-25) will be spent tutoring high school students planning to take an AP course in the upcoming school year.</p>
<p>Course credit</p>
<p>Those who take the summer course will earn three hours of Honors independent study credit with a writing designation. With permission, course credit can be applied to Fall 2010 for scholarship and/or billing purposes.</p>
<p>Eligibility requirements</p>
<p>You must demonstrate proficiency in the AP subject you will be teaching (passing score on an AP exam in calculus, chemistry, biology or English in high school and/or a grade of a B or higher in an introductory or advanced-level college course in one of these subjects OR a professor recommendation if one of these qualifications is not met).</p>
<p>Why AP?</p>
<p>By participating in CollegeFirst, you’ll be taking part in a state-wide movement to improve Alabama students’ national and global competitiveness in math, science and English, particularly in underserved schools. Your commitment also will increase high school students’ chances for success in college. Research shows students who pass an AP exam are three times more likely to earn a college degree than students who do not. In 2008, Alabama ranked 43rd nationally in AP exams taken and 45th in exams passed, according to the College Board. In just two years, CollegeFirst’s partner A+ College Ready has increased the number of AP courses offered in Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, Madison County and Jefferson County schools from 80 to 144 and the number of students enrolled from 2,087 to 5,448.</p>
<p>How to apply</p>
<p>A short CollegeFirst application is attached. Please e-mail to <a href=“mailto:cesr@ua.edu”>cesr@ua.edu</a>. For more information, visit cesr.ua.edu or contact the Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility at <a href=“mailto:cesr@ua.edu”>cesr@ua.edu</a> or (205)348-6490.</p>
<p>Olivia Grider</p>
<p>research project coordinator</p>
<p>Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility</p>
<p>113 Temple Tutwiler</p>
<p>Box 870168</p>
<p>Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0168</p>
<p>(205) 348-6493</p>
<h2>For those wondering what University Fellows Experience consists of …</h2>
<p>UFE Black Belt Experience</p>
<p>Black Belt Experience, the signature University Fellows project, partners with individuals in the Blackbelt region of our state. Throughout the process, students are encouraged to be servant leaders and change agents who address systemic issues of poverty. The students create projects that both respond to the needs of the community while capitalizing on the students’ particular interests, gifts, and abilities.</p>