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In addition to learning their way around campus, getting to know their new roommates, and navigating a new academic setting, more than 650 first-year students at USC Upstate donned hard hats and nail aprons Sept. 27 and began building a Habitat for Humanity home.
"This is a pheno-menal project that will not only benefit a family deserving of becoming homeowners, but will be of incredible benefit to our campus community in ways that can't be achieved in the classroom," said John C. Stockwell, chancellor of USC Upstate. "Our students will learn about service and outreach to others all the while experiencing their own personal growth and development as they navigate their first semester of college."
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| John Stockwell |
The "Habitat Blitz" began with a temporary construction site on the USC Upstate campus for two weeks of work before being moved to its permanent site developed by Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg on West Henry Street. The students work in three-hour shifts to complete the main interior and exterior structure and roofing for the single-story, 1,200-square-foot home. A Habitat construction manager is on-site to direct and supervise the volunteer efforts.
This project is focused on students enrolled in University 101, an elective course that focuses solely on first-year student success by providing students with the tools and resources needed to make a smooth transition into college. The course addresses topics such as goal setting, time management, study skills, career exploration, information literacy skills, self-awareness, and service learning as well as educating students about USC Upstate and campus resources.
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| Louise Ericson |
"We feel strongly that the service learning component of our curriculum is one of the most critical elements in getting students engaged early in their university and surrounding communities," said Louise Ericson, director of the Center for Student Success at USC Upstate who oversees the University 101 program. "This course not only helps students focus on themselves academically, it also provides students an opportunity to examine themselves in relation to others. We help them discover who they are and how they fit into the society around them--what better way to do that than by giving of themselves."
Once the house is moved to its permanent site Oct. 11, the project becomes a University-wide initiative with groups of faculty, staff, students, student organizations, athletic teams, and alumni being recruited to help complete the house. The goal is to finish the house in time for the family to move in by the holidays.
David Ellis, executive director of the Spartanburg chapter of Habitat for Humanity, pleased with this collaboration.
"Habitat for Humanity is really excited about this opportunity to partner with USC Upstate and the great young people that will be building a home for a family that, before now, could only dream about owning their own home," he said. "This is the first time that our affiliate will build a home on a college campus and move it to one of our locations. It is an exciting opportunity for all of us."
Ericson applauds the USC Upstate campus as a whole for the collective support of this initiative. Fund raising is still underway to meet the financial needs in building the house. Several campus divisions, such as Student and Diversity Affairs and Athletics, have contributed financially to the effort. Support has also come from a Community Outreach and Partnership Center (COPC) grant awarded to the campus and funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. However, the students are responsible for raising most of the money.
A special Web site has been created to follow the progress of the house. The site will also feature photos, interviews with students at the building site, and a profile of the Spartanburg family who will be receiving the home. To view the site, go to www.uscupstate.edu/habitat.
Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry that builds simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with Spartanburg families. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races, and religions to join us in building houses together in partnership with families in need. Almost always first-time homeowners, these families contribute hundreds of hours of "sweat equity" and pay a 20-year, no interest mortgage.
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