First-Year Student Outreach Project (FYSOP)


FYSOP offers incoming Boston University students a unique opportunity to get settled in their new community by performing a week of service before classes begin. Volunteers participate in a program orientation, a full day of education, and three full days of direct service in one of eleven issue areas.

The goal of FYSOP is to orient freshman and transfer students to Boston University, the Boston area, and surrounding community, while educating about and encouraging volunteers to engage in community service.

About:

The First-Year Student Outreach Project was established in 1989 in order to help volunteers settle into Boston University, while fostering long-lasting friendships through community service across the greater Boston area. FYSOP is one of the thirteen programs that undergraduate students can participate in through the Community Service Center.

In order to incorporate education in regards to various issues, FYSOP volunteers participate in orientation, training, and three days of direct service associated with one of eleven issue areas.

This year, the dates for FYSOP are Monday, August 27, 2012 to Friday, August 31, 2012.

Registering for FYSOP: FYSOP Volunteer Applications will go up by June 1st, 2012

Mission Statement:

To orient freshman and transfer students to Boston University and the greater Boston area, while educating about and encouraging volunteers to engage in community service.

Issue Areas:

Volunteers are assigned to an issue area and a smaller FYSOP group, consisting of 10-15 first year students and led by 2-3 upperclassmen staff leaders. Issue areas are run by 2 coordinators. Participants make lasting friendships with their FYSOP group, learn about social issues in the greater Boston area, volunteer with non-profit organizations pertaining to their particular issue area and become acclimated to their new school. The issue areas are:

  • Animals
  • Children
  • Disabilities
  • Elders
  • Environment
  • Gender Focus
  • Public Health Awareness
  • Homelessness & Housing
  • Human Rights
  • Hunger
  • Urban Engagement

Registering for FYSOP: FYSOP Volunteer Applications will go up by June 1st, 2012

Volunteers will be able to register online at http://www.bu.edu/csc. This will be based on a rolling application basis, where applicants can complete registration as they come to learn about FYSOP through Orientation.

For more information, contact Program Managers Austin Bay and Sasha Beskrowni at fysop@bu.edu.