I love this time of year! A new academic year is beginning and with that comes the wonderful sense of new beginnings, possibility and adventure, accompanied by the normal concerns of time, workload and fatigue. Although my life centers around an acadmemic schedule, I haven't been an official student for many years. However, that exciting sense of a "new year beginning" never fades. 

As we all enter the 2016-2017 year, choices must be made about how and where we spend our time outside of our work and studies. There are myriad possibilities on campus: clubs, sororities and fraternities, groups, sports teams, art classes, book clubs, and...volunteering! We may think that time is too precious to add that to our list, however there are plenty of options available to us, as both students and non-students, to give back in some small way. The Priscilla King Gray Public Service Center is an incredible resource for anyone interested in getting involved in community service--both locally and globally and there are many other ways to get involved.

Currently, the Priscilla King Gray Public Service Center is accepting applications for their ReachOut Tim Tutors program. The ReachOut Tim Tutors program recruits, trains, and matches MIT students, faculty, staff, spouses and partners with children at a local community center to engage and challenge them with reading and math activities. There will be an information session on Tuesday, September 13 at 7:30 pm, room 5-134. For more information go to here.

On September 15, the Choose to Reuse initiative launches their academic year events. Choose to Reuse is a collaboration between the Recycling Office and the Working Green Committee. Volunteers range from graduate students and postdocs to staff, alumni and even retirees! The volunteers sort the items as they come in and so get first pick (that's quite a perk!). They monitor the areas during the event and clean up at the end. For more information, go to Choose to Reuse.

Radius will be offering many programs and activities throughout the year to help the MIT community discern how to create the space and thoughtfulness necessary to make the best choices--not only regarding volunteer activities but how to make ethical choices in all areas of your life. Please join us as we begin the semester. Happy New Year!