Eighteen student organizations and 102 students joined together Tuesday to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in service projects within the Nashville community.
Donna Rizzo, president of the MLK Day of Service, and Samora Legros, secretary/treasurer of the MLK Day of Service said although they had support from Chancellor Gordon Gee and the administration, not having the day off combined with student apathy hindered participation.
"At the end of the day we still helped people out," Legros said. "We got to know people better that we wouldn't necessarily be put in the same scenario with because we have different cliques and different forms of separation.
The fact that those who participated were able to unite says a lot about the character of some of the individuals here at Vanderbilt."
Legros and Rizzo said while they were pleased with the overall outcome of the day, they were disappointed several groups decided to withdraw their commitment at the last minute.
According to Rizzo and Legros, 138 participants dropped out during the two days prior to the event, forcing organizers to cancel service projects at several organizations.
Groups that were not able to participate included the National Black Law Students Association, Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Recycling, Collegians Helping to Educate and Encourage Responsible Socializing, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Every Campus Ministries, Alpha Phi Alpha, Students for Kenya, Are You M.A.D.?, and Zeta Phi Beta. The largest loss of participants came from Delta Delta Delta.
The group had originally planned to send approximately 120 of its members; however, that number dropped to 15 early Sunday morning.
Palmer Harston, philanthropy special event co-chair for Delta Delta Delta, said the organization apologizes for their withdrawal of so many participants.
"We really, really wanted to participate because of the diversity of the event and what it means for Vanderbilt," Hartson said. "Being able to join with other organizations is really important to us as well. Because of timing and classes starting, we were unable to have as many members as we had originally hoped."
"I hope it is not a reflection of our house's commitment to service, because it is a high priority," Harston said.
The 15 members of Delta Delta Delta who volunteered at the Junior Achievement site have decided to return there next weekend to finish the tasks they begun Tuesday.
Rizzo said that a complacent attitude contributed to the decrease in participants.
"People are so comfortable with their place right now that nobody wants to do anything that is going to set them out to make it look like they are doing something totally different," she said.
Despite the participants that dropped out, Rizzo and Legros said the day was a success.
This is the first year Vanderbilt students have taken part in the day, but Rizzo said it would not be the last. They plan on making the day of service an annual event.
"To all have types of students come together and help and fight for a cause they believe in and make a change in their community - I think that is something King would definitely support, and it is something he fought for," Rizzo said.
