Compass 2 Campus asks for faculty to release student mentors for tour day Oct. 23

The Compass 2 Campus mentoring initiative at Western Washington University enrolls 300-plus students each year.

Each October, the program brings 900 fifth graders to campus for a tour introducing them to the possibilities of higher education and Western in particular. The 2012 tour day is from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23.

Many Western students have enrolled to learn critical communication, leadership and community service skills necessary to their liberal arts education and their future careers.

Cyndie Shepard, volunteer director of the program, asks that faculty allow students to participate with the tour during that time, should they ask to be released from class.

"It is extremely necessary that we have them participate for the full time, since they are there to ensure the safety of the fifth graders on our campus," Shepard says. "Won’t you please reconsider if you have not given them permission to be involved that day due to a class conflict? We only disrupt the campus for one day per year for this important community service event."

Karen Stout, Faculty Senate president, adds her encouragement:

"C2C inspires children who might not normally think of themselves as 'college material' to redefine how they see themselves and consider college (and Western in particular) as a part of their future," she says. "That makes our WWU college students who are C2C mentors crucial on campus visit day. The mentors not only safely shepherd the fifth graders around campus, but they also motivate and inspire. They are direct representations of our motto 'Active Minds Changing Lives,' and we should be proud of them."

Western is proud to be a leader in Washington state in developing a pipeline toward higher education. The Western community is invited to attend the student welcome ceremony at 10:15 a.m. Oct. 23.