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January 17, 2003/Shevat 14 5763, Vol. 55, No. 21
Hillel reaches commuter students
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
Hillel Jewish Student Center at Arizona State University is reaching out to students at college campuses throughout the Valley.
The "Outreach to Commuter Students Program," established at Scottsdale Community College last fall, will soon make a showing at Arizona State University West, ASU East, Mesa Community College and Paradise Valley Community College.
The program, funded by grants from the Jewish Community Foundation and Barbara and Barry Zemel, makes an effort to identify Jewish students and provides an opportunity to participate in Hillel events.
"The purpose is to reach out to Jewish students and give them opportunities to make Jewish connections with each other," said Fonda Christopher, the commuter student program associate.
Several times during the fall semester at SCC, Christopher set up a table with a "Hillel Jewish Student Center" banner. Students frequently volunteered to sit at the table and greet other Jewish students and invite them to participate in Hillel activities at SCC. There are now more than 25 SCC students on the mailing list.
The group, which is in the process of creating a charter, constitution and by-laws in order to become an officially recognized group on the SCC campus, now has five faculty and staff advisors. A "Meet the Advisors" event will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the SCC Student Center, 9000 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale. Students will have the opportunity to meet with the advisors and plan future activities.
The group has held several events, including a coffee social and dinner, and participated with ASU Hillel students on a hayride and at a Hanukkah party.
"The main focus so far has been on social events because they have to get to know each other first, before we go on and do official programs," said Christopher.
Christopher said Hillel will be represented at spring orientations on the campuses of MCC, ASU East and ASU West. She has also made contacts at PVCC, and is exploring the idea of having a table set up at Thunderbird, the American School of International Management.
Christopher is hopeful that the students will make Jewish connections on their own campuses and then, if they transfer to ASU, become involved at Hillel there.
Despite the inroads Hillel has made, the program is in jeopardy because the current grants will expire on May 15, and new funding is needed to keep the program afloat.
"It takes ongoing commitment to run this vital program," said Rabbi Barton Lee, Hillel director. "We will need financial support from the community for it to continue."
For information or questions regarding Hillel's Commuter Outreach Program, contact Fonda Christopher at 480-967-7563, or hillel_commuters@yahoo.com.
Contact the writer at beth_olson@jewishaz.com.
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