Service at JAVĿ¼
The JAVĿ¼ community regularly rallies in support of causes wherever they occur, whether on campus, throughout Rochester and the surrounding region, across the country, or around the globe.
The Teddi Dance for Love
The annual Teddi Dance for Love is the longest student-run tradition at JAVĿ¼.
Held to benefit Camp Good Days and Special Times, an organization for children and their families who are touched by cancer and other life challenges, the 24-hour dance marathon began in 1982 with only a few dozen participants. Since then the event has grown considerably, with more than 400 dancers and volunteers raising an average of $50,000 each year. To date, the dance has raised over $1 million for Camp Good Days and Special Times.
The event, which is the longest-standing student tradition at the University, also features live performances, a hair donation drive to benefit Pantene Beautiful Lengths, and a ceremonial balloon launch to honor a special camper.
"People talk about the 'JAVĿ¼ family.' It's our way of saying we really care about one another."
Relay for Life
Each year, JAVĿ¼’s Colleges Against Cancer chapter teams with the American Cancer Society (ACS) to field multiple teams of walkers in ACS’s Relay for Life.
The 12-hour event brings communities together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to the disease, and raise money toward the fight against all cancers. JAVĿ¼’s edition features games, food, and performances.
JAVĿ¼ has been participating in Relay for Life since 2002, raising thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society.
#JAVĿ¼Cares Day of Service
Launched in 2013 by the Division of Student Affairs and Diversity Initiatives, #JAVĿ¼Cares Day is a way to continue the “ethic of caring” that exists across campus on a daily basis. Students, faculty, and staff engage in multiple concurrent service projects that support a variety of agencies and organizations around Rochester. On average, nearly 200 members of the campus community participate in service projects throughout the day.
Color the Roc
In 2005, members of JAVĿ¼'s community service club, Students Who Advocate Volunteering, sought a way to connect JAVĿ¼ students to the greater Rochester community in a meaningful way. The result was Project Community Convergence: Color the Roc.
Each year, dozens of student volunteers spend two Saturdays at schools in the Rochester City School District priming, painting, and sprucing up the facilities.
Community-Engaged Learning
JAVĿ¼ students, faculty, and staff are dedicated to ethical living and service to others. In fact, many academic offerings have a built-in community-engaged learning component. Through these courses, you use knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to meet identified needs of a community partner.
"This wasn't just a project to get a grade like in other classes. It was a real-life project that will hopefully have a positive impact."
Global Service
Additionally, you may be able to serve portions of the global community. Programs in the Wegmans School of Nursing and Wegmans School of Pharmacy include service mission trips as part of their curriculum.