Civic Engagement
Students join all sorts of volunteer organizations, take on summer service internships and grab their placards for the occasional old-fashioned political demonstration. If you'd like to get involved:
The Pace Center for Civic Engagement is the administrative body behind the University's "civic engagement" initiative, backed by the University’s unofficial motto: "In the Nation's Service and in the Service of All Nations." Its website hosts a substantial database of civic engagement opportunities, from student and institutional service and political organizations to interesting classes and fellowships. Pace supports and advises student groups that focus on civic engagement as well as those that do a project just once a year. If you want to participate in direct service (finding and joining, starting or funding a program), get connections for a job at a nonprofit, find ways to connect your academic interests with real-world advocacy, or just join passionate conversations about controversial topics, Pace can help.
The Student Volunteers Council (SVC) was founded in 1825 and is heir to a long tradition of public service at Princeton. The student-run organization has well-established relationships with more than 45 community partners. Students mentor and tutor children, restore houses, organize blood drives, help run soup kitchens and visit the elderly. A student board oversees the council's activities. Additionally, SVC organizes national service trips and the Community Action pre-orientation program for freshmen (see “OA & CA”). Through its Summer Service Program, SVC also offers internships with partner nonprofits across the country.
Community House was founded in 1969 by a group of undergraduate students to support the specific educational, cultural and recreational needs of underserved Princeton residents. Students tutor and mentor schoolchildren in the community from preschool to high school levels, teach an SAT prep program and help coach sports teams.
