MSU President Peter McPherson was volunteer in Peru
‘U’ needs return of Peace Corps recruiters to increase numbers
MSU Peace Corps volunteer numbers are falling behind other universities — but this can’t be blamed on students.
At least once in the past decade, MSU has provided more Peace Corps volunteers than any other university in the country. However, in a recently released list showing the top 10 campuses nationwide, it has fallen to sixth place.
The University of California at Berkeley topped the chart, followed by the University of Wisconsin. U-M ranked fifth on the list.
Previously, both U-M and MSU housed recruiting offices. But after facing budget restraints at the national office, the Peace Corps decided to cut back and cut MSU’s office in the fall of 1996.
President M. Peter McPherson, who volunteered for two years with the Peace Corps in Peru, claims that MSU has always had a strong contingency with the corps since it began. But when the time came to choose between MSU and U-M, the Ann Arbor office was chosen over MSU.
Officials claimed the decision was based partly on U-M’s historical background. In 1961, President Kennedy announced formation of the corps and issued the first call for volunteers on the steps of U-M’s student union. MSU’s level of commitment and the large number of volunteers it provided seemed to have lesser bearing on the decision.
The absence of a recruiting office makes volunteering difficult for MSU students.
While other organizations such as Americorps and smaller groups like Habitat for Humanity take volunteers away from the corps, the drop relates directly to the lack of an office on campus.
McPherson and university officials must not let the issue drop. MSU has an excellent study abroad program that offers great benefits to its students. The study abroad and Peace Corps’ programs should go hand in hand.
MSU already offers students the chance to take international courses and study foreign cultures. By working with the Peace Corps, it could also offer an opportunity to aid countries with various needs.
MSU is strong in promoting diversity on campus among students, and in providing overseas studies. These studies allow students to further their academic education and to be submerged in different cultures.
The Peace Corps would offer the opportunity to be in another culture while doing something for someone else.MSU also has a strong agricultural program and the knowledge gained from this department should be shared with other countries to deal with food shortage problems.
It was the Peace Corps’ decision to cut its East Lansing recruiting office. But the university must continue to offer its resources and promote student involvement in and out of the classroom, with the ultimate goal being a new Peace Corps office at MSU.
