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CC cited as a ´College With a Conscience´

March 22, 2005

Connecticut College is one of the nation's best colleges for fostering social responsibility and public service, according to The Princeton Review and Campus Compact. It is one of 81 institutions in 33 states that The Princeton Review commends and features in its forthcoming book, "Colleges With a Conscience: 81 Great Schools with Outstanding Community Involvement" (Random House/Princeton Review Books). 

During the 2003-04 academic year, 62 percent of the senior class took part in community learning and service at more than 60 sites throughout New London and the region, contributing more than 26,000 hours over their four years at Connecticut College.

"A college with a conscience has both an administration committed to social responsibility and a student body actively engaged in serving society," said Robert Franek, Princeton Review vice president of admission services. "Education at these schools isn't only about private gain: it's about the public good."

The Connecticut College Office of Volunteers for Community Service (OVCS) works closely with the college's Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy, one of four interdisciplinary academic centers, to implement a wide range of community partnerships and community learning initiatives.

OVCS students and programs have earned a wide range of honors and awards from local, state and national entities. The Mentor and Tutorial Programs won a National Presidential Award and a Point of Light. The ARBO Project, the Advocating Better Choices (ABC) Mentor Program, and the America Reads Challenge Program won awards from the Connecticut Department of Higher Education as did several students who developed and implemented programs. Last year, two senior students won the prestigious national Howard Swearer Student Humanitarian Award for their outstanding work in integrating academics into their community work and for creating the successful ABC Mentor Program.

The Princeton Review partnered with Campus Compact, a national organization committed to the civic purposes of higher education, to develop "Colleges With a Conscience" and choose the schools featured in the book. The book's editors also invited dozens of organizations with expertise in campus community service and student engagement to nominate colleges.

 "Colleges With a Conscience" will be available in bookstores June 21.

For media inquiries contact: Amy Martin (860) 439-2526; a.martin@conncoll.edu