The Coverdell Institute is lodged in academic affairs and we serve to promote civic engagement and help students, faculty and staff be active citizens by not only voting but making a difference in our communities.

After a lot of helpful conversation among faculty and students in the School of Health Sciences and with community people, we came to the conclusion that the first survey should be something basic and ask questions about access to healthcare, and we are specifically interested in adults ranging from 18-65 years old.

Our students, from the first year of medical school, look for ways in which they can help provide community service, so many of them are already working at homeless shelters or clinics for the disadvantaged. This just brings it closer.

Data is very helpful in writing grant proposals to get funding for subsequent surveys. We certainly hope that this basic survey will provide a channel for future surveys based on the findings of this survey.

Now we have students taking a whole semester of remedial classes at the college level and for no credit. Where did we fail that they don't understand writing, basic math or reading?

We always need more tutors, because there are students who are waiting for a tutor to help them improve their reading, writing, math, or basic computer skills.