Two UF students will attempt to collect student signatures as part of a national campaign to influence the 2008 presidential candidates' platforms to include increased funding for public service organizations.
The Student Campaign for Public Service's goal is to present the petition with 50,000 student signatures to the candidates in April, according to the petition.
It addresses the increased number of students interested in public service and the insufficient funds that are preventing them from participating in these programs.
The nonprofit group took on the feat of collecting signatures to spread awareness and interest among college students in public service organizations and make them a higher priority for lawmakers.
So far, more than 20 universities have pledged to collect signatures to show the concern for government-sponsored programs, Nathalie Sosa said.
Sosa, a psychology senior, and Leah Dietterle, an English senior, both serve as communication personnel for the organization and hope their signature-collecting at UF will significantly impact the campaign.
The standard political platforms are of concern to voters, but Sosa questions candidates' positions and policies in service-oriented programs.
"People pay attention to where candidates stand on other issues, but how do they support public service?" Sosa said.
Sosa and Dietterle recently began their quest for signatures on campus by targeting larger groups such as Greek chapters, multicultural organizations and other community service organizations, Sosa said.
The petition encourages 1,000 signatures from each university. Students have been very receptive to the cause and are willing to help, Sosa said, and she's confident they'll have a high number of signatures.
After graduation, Dietterle and Sosa will enter Teach For America, a program included in the petition that sends recent college graduates to teach in lower-performing schools.
"You don't have to go very far to see poverty," Sosa said. "Students are great sources to make an impact."
Amy Panikowski, UF's campus Peace Corps recruiter, said she's seen an increase in the number of students interested in serving in the Peace Corps, and the student body has become much more concerned with serving internationally. UF ranks first in Florida for the amount of volunteers it produces and 17th nationally, Panikowski said.
Sara K. Hartmann, a history senior, hopes this petition is a success. She was also selected for the Teach For America program, and she's anxious for the end results, she said.
"If nothing else, it gets people talking about these organizations," Hartmann said.
During the next few weeks, they will be collecting signatures on Turlington Plaza and talking to members of large, on-campus organizations until the end of the semester.
