Students clean the windows at Cooper Hall as part of Make a Difference Day.

Students armed with rakes, Windex and garbage bags set out to conquer projects around Brockport, in support of Make a Difference Day. The event is part of a nation-wide effort initiated by USA Today to have “the largest day of doing good” every fourth Saturday in October. Brockport has participated in the event since 1999.

This year, more than 100 students gathered October 24 to choose from various service projects around Brockport.

“It has morphed into something truly campus wide,” said Karen Podsiadly, Director of Leadership and Community Development, “It’s a collaboration between many people at Brockport.”

One project was to rake the leaves at the Utica Street playground. More than 20 members of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority helped participate in the raking. President Jessie Maiullo said the event helped to fulfill the sorority’s participation in the Green Leadership Certificate Program. Also, Phi Sigma Sigma, on a national level, supports Make a Difference Day.

“Last year we were split into groups, but this year it’s nice to stay together and help the community,” she said.

Many other clubs and organizations came out to sign up for different projects including the Fencing Club, Equestrian Club and students who needed to complete the service requirement of the Student Leadership program.

Freshman Garrett Roe, a member of the Civic Engagement learning community, also helped clean the playground.

“Our group is community based, and the best way to address that was to support Make a Difference Day,” he said. “It’s fun. We get to be outside and enjoy the weather while helping the community.

This national day of helping others had more than 3 million volunteers participating in thousands of different projects across the country. Brockport’s projects have also included painting fences, planting flowers and sanitizing the child care center facilities.

Another project was to clean the windows of Cooper’s Daycare center.

Save the Children President Bomie Cooper Junior and 15 other members from the club cleaned the outside of the windows as a group activity.

“Just by cleaning a window you set an example to others that there are many ways to contribute,” Cooper said. “Were glad we came out to make a difference.”

This tradition on campus, while mostly student organized, was handed to Podsiadly to manage years ago.

“It’s been a joy to plan it,” Podsiadly said. “The students really care about giving back.”

Phi Sigma Sigma rakes leaves at Utica Street Playground.

She also related the lower number turnout to a coinciding Resident Assistant Conference. Usually, RAs participate in the projects, but this year many could only contribute to the canned food and bottle drive.

The group/club with the highest level of participation also would win an ice cream social for their group.

“This is an opportunity for students to serve their community and organize an event,” Podsiadly said. “I want to thank everyone who made it a success.”

There was no e-mail, no office hours, not even a room number. A little puzzled, I just disregarded it. I might not need to talk to him, I thought.

Well, questions did arise about assignments. To e-mail the professor I looked at the faculty directory. The Brockport Web site would have to offer answers, I thought. It didn’t.

One time, the day before class, I received a call from a random woman, telling me my class was cancelled. Before I could ask who it was, she hung up. I took her word as true, and didn’t go to class. I heard later that some of the students in the class weren’t on this calling list, and walked/drove to class.

I’m not saying this is the end of the world, but a little communication can go a long way. I can see not wanting to be contacted by nagging students through e-mail. Relying on word of mouth, however, just does not make sense.

Making it hard to contact this professor didn’t take away from my class experience. But it is something expected out of professors in order to make people’s lives on both ends a little easier.