Funding of Omidyar Scholars program changed to provide greater flexibility

Now completing its third year of existence, the University College of Citizenship and Public Service (UCCPS) is making some of the most intensive modifications of its history to its core program, the Omidyar Scholars.

The changes are aimed at increasing student accountability and responsibility concerning their use of UCCPS funds.

The 48 Omidyar scholars, who are sophomores, juniors, and seniors, receive a $6,000 annual scholarship and are required to work eight hours a week on a community project that they organize.

Concerns over previous changes in policy led to a movement in the fall headed by several upperclassmen scholars for increased student involvement. "The staff used to decide policies but the students stepped in and wanted to be involved in the process, so things weren't going over our head," senior Lou Esparza said.

One source has previously accused UCCPS administrators of not being organized or focused enough, and former Lincoln Filene Center Director Badi Foster said last semester that some of them could be considered "incompetent."

In response to the student concerns, this semester UCCPS introduced the Funding and Policy Committees, which have staff members and administrators on them, but are run by students. The Funding Committee approves all requests for Community Project funds, and the Policy Committee debates any changes in regulations.

Student response to the creation of the committees has been mostly positive, although some were concerned with difficulties with the budgetary process. Last year students were automatically reimbursed up to $4,000 for project-related expenses. The Funding Committee now reviews all requests on a case by case basis.

By shifting from a system in which each student automatically receives $4,000 to one in which students must apply to receive part of a large pool of money, UCCPS officials have attempted to create more flexibility. "Now, there's no incentive for students to have additional expenses, so we're encouraging them to do more with less," said Omidyar Scholars Director Molly Mead.

"The program should make scholars comfortable approaching [them] for money," sophomore Chloe Kaplan said. Members of the new Funding Committee were "sticklers for the rules," Kaplan continued, creating conflict between students. Other students complained about the detailed estimates and breakdowns in spending that the Funding Committee required before approval.

However, the Omidyar Foundation, which fronted the initial $10 million to create UCCPS, called the new budgetary process an "excellent upgrade to the program." According to Omidyar Foundation Vice President of Civil Engagement Lisa Spinali, the new process forces students to work in an environment similar to that of the non-profit community.

The change in funding allowed junior Matt Gasbarro to complete his work developing a Community Garden at the Mystic River Watershed. The project, which will include plots for Medford residents, had a higher than usual budget of $9,800, but it was approved by the Funding Committee anyway.

The push for more fiscal responsibility has been coupled with a drive to ensure actual results in the community. Students are required to meet with their advisors bi-weekly and fill out a progress report. Mead and the UCCPS staff conduct final evaluations at the end of year to ensure scholars will continue in the program.

"Last year, it was more relaxed," sophomore Chloe Kaplan said. "This year you'd better have a community project."

Students have been pushed actively this year to plan and complete a project, along with involving Tufts students in the community. Mead pointed to Omidyar Scholar projects as having been particularly successful at recruiting other Tufts students.

Fun Fridays, which was organized by sophomores Kim Boehler and Kaplan, brought Tufts students to a Lawrence elementary school to run an after-school enrichment program for five weeks. The program was so popular with parents and teachers that Boehler and Kaplan plan to continue offering classes in the fall.

This year marked the first time freshmen were not included in the Omidyar Scholars program. Instead they were required to enroll in a new "pre-program" to decide if they wanted to continue. The move came after survey of Scholars found students were overwhelmed by the expectations placed on first-year students.

"It was tough being a freshman in the program," sophomore Zach Baker said. "They ask you to do a community project and you are still trying out who you are on campus." Baker spent last year planning this year's Giving Camp.

Several other freshman Omidyar Scholars were also unable to complete projects, which they blamed on having a lack of community knowledge and personal maturity.

"We spoke to people, and they all said, 'this is a lot' for freshmen," Mead said. This year students filled out applications in the summer and fifteen were chosen to take a class, attend workshops, and assist in community projects to help decide whether or not to continue on in the program.

Although all but one scholar decided to stay, next year freshmen will apply in October after they have several weeks to acclimate to college life. Mead said the move was part of a continuing trend of ensuring that all students are given an equal opportunity to enter the program.

Surveys also found dissatisfaction from senior scholars, which, according to Mead felt that they had outgrown the program. In response, UCCPS has instituted more of a "ratcheting scale," where students are given increased responsibility over four years.

The Omidyar Scholars program's two main goals are expanding student knowledge and improving the community, Spinali said. UCCPS receives the majority of its funding from an Omidyar Foundation grant, although it is trying to shift its focus toward alumni giving, Dean of UCCPS Rob Hollister said.

Hollister hopes alumni ties will help to improve "community leadership," and assist the Omidyar Scholar program. UCCPS has already taken steps to encourage projects which connect students with graduates and faculty.

An internal memo addressed to President Bacow last year said that the Omidyar Foundation was bringing increased pressure on UCCPS to diversify and improve the level of its funding, so that it is not as dependant on the Foundation financially.

The Faculty Fellows program, which was introduced this year by UCCPS, provides the means for faculty members to conduct projects to further active citizenship. Mary Smith and Matan Chorev have been working with Faculty Fellow Richard Lerner to design a course of study in positive youth development, a theory which emphasizes improving children's lives by encouraging them to perform service.

Spinali is encouraged by the changes to UCCPS. The Omidyar Foundation, she

said, is pleased with the "bold leaps forward and big improvements" UCCPS has made in the last year.