Praxis Application
Praxis: Theory Into Action
Trinity's Residence Based Community Service Program
Program Group Coordinator
Nivia Nieves(06)
Program Group Advisor
Joe Barber, Assistant Director of Community Service
Mission & Goals
Praxis is a residence-based community service program established by and for
students with the purpose of creating an environment that actively promotes and
engages students in community involvement and building within the residence
hall, on campus, and with the Hartford community.
Praxis means "theory into action" which is very much in concert with the purpose
of a liberal arts education. Trinity College’s mission statement puts forth the
notion that its "paramount purpose is to foster critical thinking, free the mind
of parochialism and prejudice, and prepare students to lead examined lives that
are personally satisfying, civically responsible and socially useful." Realizing
such a grand vision requires that all aspects of Trinity College connect thought
to practice and concept to reality, both inside and outside of the classroom.
The following goals will be used to guide the program in the right direction
towards bringing its mission to full fruition:
A. Create a community of civically engaged individuals
Part of the reason for a residence-based program is to foster a community of
people dedicated to service. In a society too many times characterized by a lack
of connection among people, Praxis believes that service should and can act as a
"tie that binds" people together in a community. This will serve as an example
to the rest of Trinity about the importance of community.
It is the belief of the Praxis program that students (and people in general)
should not engage in volunteer work without being imbued with a sense of
community. There is an ironic twist of circumstances when the community is taken
out of "community service". The purpose of Praxis is to avoid this "bowling
alone" phenomenon and view service as a way not only to contribute to, but also
create community.
B. Develop sustainable and reciprocal campus/community partnerships
Praxis participants realize that the importance of community service must be
coupled with foremost attention paid to reciprocity so as to avoid the trap
developing a paternalistic relationship between campus and community. In this
way, everyone involved is server and served. With so much attention paid
recently to the significance campus/community exchange, Praxis can use this
opportunity to take the lead in demonstrating how campus and community can and
should work together on an equal basis for a greater common good.
C. Development of student leaders
While it is important for Praxis participants to be involved with community
service project work, it is of greater importance for members to learn to run
their own projects and teach others to do the same. Ultimately, the long-term
success of any project depends on investing others in the project work so that
they themselves can progressively and independently take on more responsibility.
In doing so, these new leaders will be better able to carry on and realize the
mission and goals of Praxis.
Application Guidelines
The application process involves interested individuals submitting a proposal
rather than merely filling out an application. The purpose of doing as such is
to engage you, the potential participant, in a more thoughtful examination of
why you want to be a part of Praxis and in what manner do you believe that you
would like to and could contribute to the program. The application may be
structured in a manner that best suits you but shall consist of the following
elements:
For New Applicants: (example)
PRAXIS Application
2005-2006
Name: Class Year:
Semester(s) applying for:
Once your application has been submitted you will be contacted by a PRAXIS member for a brief interview. Applications are due by April 1st 2005 and are to be submitted as an email attachment to PRAXIS Coordinator Nivia Nieves via email at Nivia.Nieves@trincoll.edu. If you have any questions please contact Nivia by email or at x2912.
1) Briefly explain your community service experiences and/or on campus activities.
2) What are your reasons for wishing to be involved with PRAXIS?
3) In your opinion how can a program like PRAXIS contribute to Hartford and the Trinity community?
4) Why is a residentially based community service program appealing to you? How can you contribute and help foster a sense of community within this type of residential environment?
For Re-applicants:
Current Praxis participants must also reapply to the program each year. However,
your application guidelines are a little different. You should address the above
questions but within the context of a brief narrative consisting of:
Your impressions of Praxis.
Why you want to continue your involvement in the program.
Given your experiences, where would you like to see Praxis move in the future?
How do you envision yourself participating in this process?
Interview
Upon submitting your application, you will sign up for an interview and be
interviewed by one or more of the following people: the Praxis Advisor, the
Praxis Coordinator, and/or current participants in the Praxis Program.
Contract
If admitted to the program, you are required to sign a contract in which you
will commit yourself to furthering the mission of the program by, at a minimum,
undertaking the following activities:
Organize/run or actively participate in a community service project.
Participate in all aspects of at least one all-campus program.
Attend all Praxis all-campus programs.
Regularly attend Praxis meetings.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact either Jeff Green or Joe Barber
at x4256. Thanks for your interest in the program!