Service hours will now be given to students hosting school-sponsored foreign exchange students, according to Outreach Director Tony Martin.

Students will be given one hour for every twenty-four hours of hosting, said Martin. Those hosting for a whole semester or more will be given a maximum of 20 hours.

“It’s a big commitment; why shouldn’t students be rewarded?” said Martin.

However, he is currently unsure about the procedure for students who host multiple times throughout their time at JC. “We have not been faced with that,” said Martin.

Martin made the decision to allow this type of service after Foreign Language Department Chair Danica Zavodny approached him about the possibility.

According to Zavodny, the idea was brought to her by Spanish teacher and coordinator of the Spanish Exchange Jane Michael.

“I felt like compared with other activities, it was the least the school could do for someone to have someone for 24 hours at a time,” said Michael.

Zavodny agreed, saying, “People who don’t host don’t realize how much time it takes. It’s almost like you’re their parent.”

The service opportunity started with the Spanish exchange in the fall. Hosts of Spanish exchange students for 19 days received 17 hours.

According to Michael, most of the hosts took advantage of the opportunity. “If they didn’t, they were silly,” said Michael.

Senior Kristi Snyder, who hosted as part of the Spanish exchange, called the ability to earn service hours “a nice perk, especially since it was trying to coordinate schedules.”

German teacher and coordinator of the German Exchange Judith Potter recognizes the aid the service hours have in soliciting students and families to host. “When you mention that, it helps,” said Potter.

Potter recalls a time when service hours were given for hosting foreign exchange students. However, that was taken away when Sister Mary Gregory became Outreach Director in 1988 because she felt that it wasn’t service related, according to Potter.

“It was harder to get people [to host after the service incentive was taken away],” said Potter.

Sr. Maryanne Zakreski replaced Gregory, and was this year was replaced by Martin.

Zakreski calls the move “a good idea. It’s a service of presence, of friendship. It’s a nice new twist.,” said Zakreski.

Though Martin said he has not heard feedback from teachers about the decision, he is optimistic. “Our focus is getting students to do a variety of service,” said Martin.

“We talk about being global; this goes along with that,” said Zavodny.

Although the opportunity was made known to those hosting Spanish exchange students in the fall, no formal announcement has been made to the student body.

“That [making an announcement] is certainly something we need to do,” said Martin.

Collin Hoofnagle can be reached for comment at [email protected].