Community Service and Learning Center puts on annual MLK Day of Service and Solidarity

As a part of a national day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Grand Valley State University Community Service and Learning Center (CSLC) put on an event from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Cook-DeWitt chapel on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale Campus.

The goal of the event is to educate participants about the Civil Rights movement, as well as inspire them to engage in their communities by listening, learning, and advocating for social change on campus and beyond. The event’s itinerary includes: check-in, welcome/keynote speaker, pre-service questions and discussion, service project, reflection and arrival back at GVSU. This event is apart of GVSU’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration week, and included over 2oo student volunteers.

GVPD Capt. Jeff Stoll warns about scams

Scams among college students are very common. Grand Valley Police Department Capt. Jeff Stoll said there are a few things that students should look out for. Scammers often prey on students that are in bad financial situations. For example, one scheme they use is asking a student to send them $500 in exchange for a check of $2,000. The check will bounce and they will rob the student of $500.

“It’s all about quantity for scammers,” Stoll said. “If they get two people to fall for it, then they’re having a pretty good day.”

Another scheme they will use is a little bit more elaborate. Scammers will do some research online about real GVSU professors, whom they will name in an email to students. They will often say that they are a teaching assistant for that professor and students will fall prey and send them money because they are desperate for money and the story reasonable checks out.

With this in mind, Stoll urges students to not trust any emails that you aren’t familiar with. He added that you should never click on a link from an unfamiliar email address.

“Common sense is key with these scams,” Stoll said. “If someone is emailing you and offering a job that pays $18/hr, that’s probably cause for concern. Talk to your friends if you’re unsure about anything and the IT Helpdesk is always available to help you as well.”