Stories this week at WFU

FRESHMAN ASSIGNMENT: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION — Many colleges and universities ask incoming first-year students to read a selected book during the summer to prepare for discussions during orientation. Instead of a reading assignment, Wake Forest wants incoming students to closely follow the 2004 presidential race. Issues surrounding the presidential election will be the focus of a panel discussion and a small group meeting with academic advisors during their first week at Wake Forest. The program, “Speaking of Politics…,” is designed to teach students that college is a place to think about important issues and to demonstrate to incoming students that politics can be discussed without conflict or argument, said Katy Harriger, professor of political science and organizer of the program. “We are finding that lots of students care about the problems of the world, but this generation is much more inclined to think that the solution is in service,” Harriger said. Harriger has been working with Jill McMillan, a Wake Forest communication professor, on Democracy Fellows, a research project that looks at the effects of public deliberation on college students. For more information, contact Jacob McConnico at mcconnjn@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

FRESHMEN TO MAKE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS — Thirty-six freshmen will check into residence halls four days early to put into action the university motto, Pro Humanitate. The students will volunteer in several community agencies as part of SPARC (Students Promoting Responsibility and Action to the Community), a program designed by the Office of Volunteer Services to show new Wake Forest students first-hand the important role community service plays in the life of the university. From Aug. 14-18, the freshmen and 11 returning student leaders will volunteer at AIDS Care Service, Goodwill Thrift Stores, Second Harvest Food Bank, Habitat ReStore and Forsyth Humane Society. To arrange coverage at one of the agencies or an interview with the student coordinator, contact Cheryl Walker at walkercv@wfu.edu or 758-5237.

AVOID OVERSCHEDULING KIDS WHEN SCHOOL STARTS — The start of the school year is the best time to prevent overscheduling children, says Wake Forest counseling expert Samuel T. Gladding. “Don’t wait until family members have signed up for more activities than they can handle,” he says. “Work out a schedule that allows for curiosity, exploration, spontaneity and serendipity.” Gladding, father of three school-age sons and the author of “Family Therapy: History, Theory and Practice,” says a good rule of thumb is two activities per child. More than that, he says, asks for trouble. To arrange an interview with Gladding, contact Cheryl Walker at walkercv@wfu.edu or 758-5237.