SHOCK (Students Helping Others Choose Knowledgeably)

SHOCK is online!
Click here to go to SHOCK's awesome website!

What is SHOCK?
An entirely student-run program, SHOCK began under the name of the MCSP Drama Troupe during the 2001-2002 year as a way to get MCSP students involved in the greater Ann Arbor community. Using original skits focusing on substance abuse, SHOCK travels to Ann Arbor fifth grade classrooms encouraging students to remain drug free. The skits are both educational and entertaining, featuring Sponge Bob, Batman, Shrek, and more! In 2003, the University of Michigan presented SHOCK with the Ginsberg Award for Service and Social Action. Now in its seventh year, SHOCK looks forward to continued success.

Who is a part of SHOCK? SHOCK’s cast consists of first- through fourth-year University of Michigan students whose majors range from psychology to pre-med, business, education, natural science, and everything in between! Regardless of previous acting experience, all members of the cast share a passion for helping others. What openings are available for MCSP members and other interested students? SHOCK needs energetic and dedicated students to act, direct, create new skits, and handle behind-the-scenes tasks! SHOCK provides opportunities for significant leadership responsibility to interested students. No acting experience is required! For more information, please contact shockcast0809@ umich.edu.

How is SHOCK funded?
SHOCK would like to thank the MCSP Programming Board, Couzens Hall Council, Arts at Michigan, Michigan Student Association, and the Ginsberg Center for their continued financial contributions to our program.

When are performances?
SHOCK performs at a different Ann Arbor elementary school each Friday. Performances typically start at 1:45 PM, and run for approximately one hour, including question-and-answer time.

How can teachers and community members schedule a performance?
For further information and/or to schedule a SHOCK performance at your school or community organization, please contact SHOCK at shockcast0809@umich.edu.

30 Hour Famine

In March 2002, about 40 students with a core comprised of MCSP members began the 30 Hour Famine as a student organization and a yearly event here at UM. It involves fasting for 30 hours in recognition of the plight of world hunger, participating in many fun activities to pass the time, and raising money in the process for impoverished communites around the world. In its first year and with 120 participants, the group raised $6,192.67. What can that much money do? "A World of Change..." (Figures courtesy of the UM 30 Hour Famine Website)

Just how far does $6,192.67 go?...
Provides 68 children in Indonesia with 18 months of proper nutrition OR
Provides 309 children with immunistion to life threatening diseases OR
Provides 247 families with a relief earthquake kit: Mens and womens clothing, blanket, kitchen utensils, lantern, Tarpaulin, dry food ration: 7 kg rice, 2 kg flour, 1 kg lentils, 1 liter edible oil, matches, and candles.

See the 30 Hour Famine Website: www.umich.edu/~famine

LUCY: Lives of Urban Children and Youth

The LUCY Initiative, through the Michigan Community Scholars Program, responds to the growing need to prepare undergraduate students to interact effectively in a complex and diverse world. The study of the lives of children in urban settings provides an excellent intellectual context for this process. Students have the opportunity to equip themselves intellectually and personally through their college experience to engage actively in the intellectual, ethical, economic, scientific, and justice-seeking challenges of contemporary society, and, in particular, its urban centers. The LUCY Initiative provides courses and co-curricular activities that permit students to make connections between their academic inquiry and their civic engagement.

The LUCY Initiative is looking for students who are interested in the issues facing today's urban youth. Participation requires a commitment to weekly service in Detroit at one of our three community sites: CAMP Detroit, Logan Elementary School, and University Preparatory Academy. Training, transportation, reflection, and support are provided in every course. We envision this program as a community where every voice and opinion is heard and every effort made to support individual and community goals.

Students are admitted to the program in the Fall and Winter terms. Registration in UC151 section 009 will begin the application process.

Initiative Requirements:

UC102 (1 credit)
The Student in the University

UC151.004 (3 credits)
Lives of Urban Children and Youth: Schools, Community, and Power

Soc389.505 (3 credits)
MCSP: The LUCY Initiative

ED310 (1 credit each term for 2 terms)
Community Mentoring Partnerships

Elective (3-4 credits)
Chosen from a select list of courses

See the LUCY Website: www.umich.edu/~lucyweb

Grow Green Initiative

This initiative is a student project from one of MCSP's first year seminar: Environment, Religions, Spirituality and Sustainability taught by Jim Crowfoot. This program focuses on educating elementary students and their families regarding localization, energy sources, water conservation, and recycling to encourage a greener environment. Students of this initiative host fairs at elementary schools by setting up booths with interactive sessions and lectures, and show how these procedures can be fun and easy through innovative methods that are suitable for elementary students.

For more information and to view pictures from the fair, please visit their website: growgreen.weebly.com.