UA News

Students from two UA classes team up to support the Tucson Community Food Bank.

In a twist on the common extra credit opportunity, students enrolled in Introduction to Oceanography boosted their grades and made a differing in the community just in time for the holidays.

Another class, Advertising Management, had been assigned a project during the by instructor Edward Ackerley, which was focused on the Tucson Community Food Bank. Students researched its involvement with the community and how to increase Tucson's awareness of the food bank.

One suggestion was to organize a food drive with the oceanography class because there were more than a thousand students enrolled in the course.

Professor George Gehrels agreed to conduct the food drive with his class because he believed it would teach them a sense of social responsibility.

"Our lectures have an emphasis on taking charge of issues, which most students appreciate. And I knew students would like the extra credit," said Gehrels.

Students earned five points by writing short papers on sustainability and donating items to the food bank.

"In order to make it a learning experience for students as well as an opportunity to make a difference, the students had to write a list of 10 ways to reduce energy consumption as well as donate two cans of food," said Luz Gossman, one of the students enrolled in Ackerley's class.

The UA chapter of Students in Free Enterprise also helped collect donations for their project with Campbell Soup Company. The project, called Let's Can Hunger, is a national hunger-relief initiative. Holly Altman, UA director of outreach and community partnerships, made arrangements with the Tucson Community Food Bank.

Of the 1,058 students enrolled, 626 students donated a total of 1,373 pounds of food, enough to provide about 1,107 meals this winter.