Hello All,

The San Quentin College program is once again recruiting volunteers for the Fall 2006 semester.  This is an volunteer-run college program for inmates at San Quentin Prison.  The program, sponsored by Patten University, offers an Associates of Arts degree to San Quentin inmates. 

We are currently looking for help the fall semester, which begins September 11th. The program needs volunteer teaching assistants and tutors for math classes, ranging from remedial pre-algebra to introductory calculus. Most of the volunteers are Berkeley graduate students, many from the physics, math, and astronomy departments although we also have volunteers from many other departments and the community at large. 

The time commitment is one evening per week for the fall semester, either Monday, Wednesday or Friday night.    The math help we are looking for is very basic (described as Pre-algebra) although there is also an opportunity to help out with up to calculus level courses as well.  

Jody Lewen, our program coordinator, will be holding an orientation/training session for new and prospective volunteers on Saturday, August 5, 1-5pm in Berkeley.  

I know if sounds a bit odd at first, but it really is one of the best teaching experiences I've ever had.  This is an excellent chance to interact with students that really have a vested interest in learning the material as well students with unique learning challenges.  

Transportation to the prison should not be an impediment to volunteering as a carpool leaves directly from campus at 5 pm.  

If you're interested in volunteering, please email me, Carmen Goodell,
(goodell@eps.berkeley.edu) or stop by my office (169 McCone), and I can answer any questions you may have.

More details on the college program are available at

Please feel free to forward this message on to anyone you feel may be interesting in volunteering.  One thing to keep in mind is that the institution does not allow anyone less than 21 years of age to be a volunteer.

Thank you,

Carmen Goodell
McCone 169
Department of Earth and Planetary Science
University of California,
Berkeley, CA 94720-4767

Phone: 510-642-9116
Cell: 510-847-9852
Fax: 510-643-9980

 

 

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