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Wednesday, March 23, 2011 Issue 44 I N D E P E N D E N T
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Vol. 116 S T U D E N T
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Professor discusses benefits of service learning Volunteering classes offer students real-world experiences, chances to benefit community Kronick said. He said that it has been shown that to make a change as far as service learning at universities, an anchor institution, especially a major research institution like UT, must be involved. But this can create problems.
During a discussion with Kronick, many students said they did not feel comfortable voicing their opinion on these subjects, but Kronick said it’s one of the first steps to making a difference. “Approach a faculty member and say, ‘I
ed,” he said. “But just do it.” Kronick encouraged students to get involved with issues they are passionate Kristian Smith about. Student Life Editor “I would love for you to throw a party in Market Square with a theme, like the homeDr. Robert Kronick, professor in educationless or buildings on al psychology and counSutherland Avenue that seling, addressed UT were supposed to be students and faculty knocked down,” he said. Tuesday about service Some students are learning and its potential already working to impact on the UT commake service learning munity. more prominent on “The best use of intelUT’s campus. ligence is solving social Eric Dixon, junior in problems,” Kronick said. philosophy, is working “Francis Bacon said it, to create a group called but I believe it.” Community Partners Through his serviceService Corps. This learning classes, Kronick group promotes culture teaches students to of service learning and engage with their comcivic engagement. Some munity and break free of of the main projects the classroom norms of includes a freshman lectures, papers and engagement orientaexams. Students in his tion, where students livservice-learning class ing in Morrill’s learning volunteer as part of the communities would parcourses in low-income ticipate in a two- to schools in Knoxville. three-day service proj“We create structure ect, while learning in these kids’ lives 20 about the Knoxville hours a week,” he said. community, creating He uses three main more service learning tenets — integration, groups. Another project reciprocity and reflection included is Campus — to promote learning Kitchens, where unused in communities. food from UT dining “My students must halls would be sent to hand-write their reflecmeet needs in the tions, so they sit down Tia Patron• The Daily Beacon Knoxville community. and take time to think,” Robert Kronick, who holds a doctorate in sociology, discusses the advantages of service learning in local communities on Kronick said all stuhe said. Kronick said UT Tuesday. Kronick encouraged students to take an active role in service-learning opportunities and to focus on their passions. dents are also welcome to take one of his two should implement more service-learning classes in the fall. He said the “One professor said that he came to a want to do this,’” he said. service-learning programs. He said when stuKronick said time is one of the major fac- first class will be the original service-learning dents actively engage with their communities, research university (UT) to do research, not they are more likely to stay in those communi- to get involved in the community,” Gavin tors that gets in the way of service learning, class, where students will volunteer in Luter, staff member at the Baker Center, said. even for students who take his class. He said schools, but he is adding a new, more ties. “UT has an obligation (to provide service “And some people say they wouldn’t have one of his students wrote that, even though advanced class this coming fall. “The advanced class will be really individulearning),” he said. “I want us to be the best come to UT if they thought UT was all about some people in the class complain about having to volunteer, being forced to volunteer alized,” he said. “Students will work on whatwe can be, and we need white-collar folk to get service learning.” ever projects they want to work on, not just Though some faculty may not be on board, made him find more time. educated and stay (in Knoxville). Service Kronick said students can play a major role in Kronick said he has a defense for students with kids. They can work in nursing homes or learning can help with this.” who complain about being forced to volunteer. with AIDS patients.” Kronick said there has been a problem get- enhancing service-learning programs. Even though these service-learning classes “Consumers are rarely consulted, especial“They actually like it,” he said. ting the university to promote and help with ly when it comes to university students,” For those who don’t think they have the are offered through the Chancellor’s Honors service-learning programs. Program, all students, even those not in the “We talked to a lot of department heads, Kronick said. “Students have to let the admin- time, Kronick said to just go for it. “You can find lots of ways to get distract- Honors Program, can sign up for the classes. and they did not value service learning,” istration know they want service learning.”
UT to increase minimum wage First pay raise in four years part of five-year plan Christopher Thomas Staff Writer
Tia Patron • The Daily Beacon
Andrew Monaco, senior in finance, lines up the cue ball while playing pool on March 8. Students can play pool at the Down Under for $2 per half hour.
A new pay increase to $8.50 per hour for all UT part-time and full-time employees is to take effect on July 1. The increase will affect all minimum-wage, non-student employees on campus and should address recent concerns with employee payments. “These UT employees have not had a pay increase since 2007,” Linda Hendricks, chief of human resources, said. “This is the first recommendations from the Compensation Advisory Board and a first step in the group’s longrange work to address compensation at the university.” The Compensation Advisory Board, which was started by Interim President Jan Simek in March 2010, is a representative body of the UT employees. Its collective 13 representatives serve in the interest of UT’s administration, faculty and staff. “The compensation board’s recommendation was prompted by UT employees voicing concerns about coworkers,” Hendricks said. According to its website, since its original launch, the members have introduced a five-year proposal to aid and structure the
system’s compensation plan for all university employees. The board’s main goal as of late has been the approval of the pay increase to $8.50 per hour across the board for 158 employees at the Knoxville campus alone, which focuses on the lower pay ranges first. Though many of the UT employees appreciate the increase, some long-term employees still show concern from their colleges. “It is positive recognition for a job well done,” said Nicole Carney, a seven-year employee in the library’s Serials Management. “It still doesn’t keep up with the rate of inflation,” though, she said. Carney said she felt that Tennessee does not suffer from as bad an economy that is often portrayed in the press, but felt proper compensation for the work UT faculty does is a necessity in growing uncertainty. Carney said that she loves her job and one of the positives of working for UT is the educational benefits she is provided. More information and additional questions and answers about the new pay increase and the UT Compensation Advisory Board can be found at http://humanresources.tennessee.edu/cab.