Not all students spend their summers at the beach or working full-time jobs.
A group of MSU students will travel to New Orleans for about four weeks to work with summer school programs. They will tutor, help prepare for standardized testing and repair schools and teachers' homes.
Whenever there is a focus on MSU and students making a positive difference, it usually takes place in East Lansing or in Michigan.
These volunteers are actually going out into other parts of the United States and trying to tackle some serious problems the country is dealing with.
And it's something people might not realize is still a problem.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Just because the Hurricane Katrina coverage disappeared from the media does not mean the situation has improved or returned to normal.
Some of the storm's victims are still displaced, homeless and living in horrible conditions. There is still a lot of work to be done down in the Gulf Coast region.
Thankfully, people at MSU have realized this and are taking steps to do what they can.
In previous editorials, such as "'Holiday spirit'" (SN 12/1), we've asked students to give what they can to worthy causes, whenever it is needed.
Now two months later, we're asking students to reach into their pockets again and help out fellow students traveling to New Orleans. In order to make it to New Orleans, these students need money: The trip costs $800 per student.
The cost for the trip includes transportation, food and living accommodations.
To give money, send an e-mail to Joyce Grant at grantj@msu.edu or call her at (517) 432-1683.
Or if you can, go there yourself.
It is not too late to sign up to volunteer in the school districts of Louisiana. To fill out an application to be eligible for the trip, call, e-mail or visit Grant's office at 116G Erickson Hall. On the March 13 meeting, after spring break, a $100 deposit will be due for each volunteer.
For students who have wondered how they can get involved, this is their opportunity to go with other people (even people they know) and through a structured program — or at least help send them on their way.
What a deal.
