Candlelight vigil

The Office of Campus Life collected nearly $500 and more than 3,000 toiletry items for Covenant House during a campus-wide campaign during November to raise awareness about the issue of homelessness.  Covenant House is the largest privately funded agency in the Americas providing shelter and other services to homeless, runaway, and throwaway youth.

“It was terrific that so many people all over campus joined in our initiative, including many departments who took ownership of the collection effort and placed boxes in their own offices,” says Francisco Diaz, assistant vice president for campus life.  Donations included $350 in gift cards, $100 in cash and toiletry items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap.

The campaign, which began November 1, ended on November 15 with a candlelight vigil in University Commons held in conjunction with a vigil hosted by Covenant House that evening in Times Square in New York City, as well as other vigils held around the United States.  More than 75 students, faculty, and staff attended the event, including representatives from campus offices, departments, and campus groups who participated in the drive.  “It was truly gratifying, on a cold and rainy night, that so many members of the campus community joined us to share in this nationwide effort to raise awareness,” Diaz says.

While the vigil, originally scheduled for Zanfino Plaza, was held indoors due to the inclement weather, the rain forced the postponement of the “Homeless for the Night” event, during which more than 30 students were scheduled to sleep in cardboard boxes outside University Commons.  Instead, numerous students participated in a discussion on homelessness and opportunities for advocacy.  The event will be rescheduled for March or April, 2008.

Departments and campus groups that partnered in the effort include Athletics, Campus Activities and Student Leadership, Catholic Campus Ministry Club, Child Development Center, College of Education, Counseling, Health, and Wellness Center, Commuter Services, Greek Senate, Office of Field Experiences, Office of Scholarships, Recreational Services, Student Activities Programming Board, Student Government Association, United Cultural Greek Council, Women’s Studies, and the Women’s Center.  Others who supported the drive include Career Development and Advisement, International Student Services, Financial Aid, Hospitality Services, the Softball Team, and the Men’s Basketball Team.

The project was a continuation of Campus Life’s Collaborations for Change service leadership effort, which was launched in September 2006 with a leadership day at the Great Falls in Paterson. The program is designed to help students develop an expanded view of leadership and their responsibility to act as role models for the campus and community.