A national movement urging graduating seniors to think proactively about their personal, social and environmental values relating to future employment has arrived at UNCW.

The Graduation Pledge Alliance (GPA) is committed to bringing social and environmental issues to the forefront of those making the transition from school to work force, according to UNCW Leadership Center literature.

The alliance asks seniors nearing graduation to voluntarily participate by taking a pledge that reads: “I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work.”

GPA was founded at Humbolt State University in California. Notable schools among the 27 that participate include Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Kansas. This is the first year UNCW has participated, and so far it is the only school in North Carolina to participate.

Elizabeth Ervin, an English professor who also volunteers her time in the Leadership Center, came up with the idea of bringing GPA to UNCW. Ervin said she saw a story highlighting GPA in the Morning Star a couple of years ago and thought it would be a good thing for the university to be affiliated with.

She said she thinks it is important for students to recognize that social and environmental issues are always going to be a part of their personal as well as their professional lives.

Ervin said that last year, former UNCW student James Cooper and the Leadership Center conducted a survey to see what seniors thought of the idea and if they would participate. According to the survey, seniors said they would support a graduation pledge. Cooper has since graduated and Jessica Maher, a UNCW senior and lead fellow of the Activities and Leadership Center, continued promoting the idea of GPA.

“I think this is a logical step for the leadership center in terms of the social change model we follow – the social change model of leadership,” Maher said.

According to Maher, an important component of the graduation pledge is for seniors to put into practice what they have learned about themselves and about dealing with groups. She said the seniors should put all that together and then into practice and “actually go out there and make a difference in your own community.”

“I think this [pledge] makes people consciously think about the impact of their actions, or lack thereof, could have on the community,” Maher said.

At press time, 168 seniors have volunteered to take the pledge. Maher set a personal goal of at least 200 seniors she would like to see take the pledge.

Thom Rakes, UNCW career services director, said students’ individual values are always taken into account when they enter the job market.

“If that’s part of the value system they bring into the job search, then absolutely, we would support that,” Rakes said.

He added that whoever the students want to work for is ultimately up to them.

“Our job is to help you find an environment that fits you,” Rakes said.

According to Rakes, the pledge would actually help career services get a better idea of the direction a particular student is headed.

Maher said she is proud that UNCW’s seniors are participating in with the GPA.

“In my opinion, what better legacy can the class of 2001 leave than committing to being passionate about making a difference in the world?” she said.

Seniors have until April 10 to volunteer. Information about the Graduation Pledge can be found in the Leadership Center office, University Union room 212.

More information about the Graduation Pledge Alliance can be found on the Web: http://www.manchester.edu/Academic/Programs/Departments/Peace_Studies/files/gpa.html.