Andrew White’s freshman foundation class adopted a second grade class in Texas.

The elementary class, taught by Eastern alumni Kara Gonzalez, received handmade Eastern T-shirts and letters from the foundations class about working hard for college.

White said he wanted his students to experience what it’s like to “be on the giving end.”

The students in White’s class work together to complete a variety of volunteer projects that are spaced throughout the semester.

White does not set a time limit on the projects; instead he asks his students to focus on the job, rather then the time.

“You have a job to do and you do it,” he said.

In addition to adopting the class in San Antonio, White said his class has also collected supplies for orphans in Africa.

White said students each gave a few dollars for items and filled shoeboxes with things the orphans may not have, such as toothpaste, wash clothes and pencils.

“It’s stuff we normally take for granted,” he said.

White said the students in his class do all the planning and groundwork for the projects, and the professors just make sure everything is set and correct.

While planning for a nursing home visit, White said one student in his class said she didn’t want to go because “old people spit on you.” He said after she volunteered at the nursing home, she talked about going back on her own.

White said he wished volunteer services were required in more courses because it is a “growing up experience” for students.

He said they want the students to get involved because they want to and not just for money.

University Foundations is a course only offered to freshman in their first semester at Eastern. It is to familiarize them with the expectations, policies, resources and traditions of the university and community.

Since Eastern is a vital part of the Charleston community, White said he wants the students to give back to the community while they are getting acquainted to it in their first year.

University Foundation classes require students to participate in volunteer work as part of a citizenship project for the service-learning component of the course.

“Service learning is a broad growing concept,” said Karla Sanders, director of the Center for Academic Support and Achievement.

She said they want to get the freshman involved in their new community right away, but what they learn from the experience depends on the section and professor.

Sanders said different sections have different focuses such as teamwork, research, how to get things done at the university, and individual projects.

She said sections that focus on how to get things done at the university would teach skills such as fundraising or getting approvals, whereas sections focusing on individual projects could volunteer at a grade school instead.

Sara Cuadrado may be reached at 581-7942 or at slcuadrado@eiu.edu.