Student Life

Description: DoRAK is designed to increase volunteerism among Colgate students by encouraging their participation in short-term, community volunteer projects. These projects include acts that promote a positive atmosphere on the Colgate campus and in the greater Hamilton community. Participation in these projects provides outreach opportunities while enhancing social bonds among the Colgate students who volunteer.

In the past, DoRAK volunteers have provided free hot chocolate and coffee to students in the library during exam week, raked leaves for the elderly, written thank-you notes to the oft-forgotten custodians, and left small gifts for professors, among many other activities. Sometimes an activity of the week is to make a conscious effort to hold doors open for people or to carry someone's heavy load. The photos here are from DoRAK's "Bring Back the Colgate Hello" campaign, designed to enhance Colgate's tradition of saying "hello" to the people you walk by.

All of the activities are designed to brighten someone's day so that they might pass on the spirit in their daily interactions with people and create a positive atmosphere.

Community: DoRAK works with a variety of partners; they respond to whomever is in need.

Volunteers say: "I joined DoRAK because I wanted to find more of a way to give back to the Colgate community, and it has definitely helped me do so. But even more than that, it has introduced me to so many more students, both those who are involved in the club and by simply giving the 'Colgate Hello' to everyone I pass."