Frequently Asked Questions

If you have additional questions not answered here, please contact us at PACEku@gmail.com.


Questions Before Signing Up:

Q: Why should I volunteer with PACE?
A: PACE is a great way to get involved in the Lawrence community. You gain community service hours and volunteer experience. The students you work with gain the benefits of a positive role model and someone to help them with school work and social issues. PACE will be a rewarding experience for any volunteer. Also, KU's PACE program is currently the largest PACE program in America, so it is truly something significant to be involved in!

Q: What do I have to do to volunteer with PACE?
A: Getting involved with PACE is easy. First, sign up by clicking here. Then wait for a confirmation e-mail from PACE staff. You'll have to attend a short training session (less than 15 minutes) where you'll learn about your responsibilities and duties as a PACE volunteer. You'll also sign an information/agreement form. Then you are free to start going to your assigned school.

Q: Can I use this to get credit for my required volunteer hours?
A: Yes, volunteering with PACE can count towards required volunteer hours for classes, scholarships, Rock Chalk, etc. We are available to verify hours, so just let us know.

Q: Is this a paid position?
A: No, we are not able to pay our tutors and mentors. Tutors simply benefit from the rewarding experience (and an enhanced resume!)

Q: How big is the time commitment?
A: The time commitment can be as small as 30 minutes a week to several hours a week, all depending on the position you take.

Q: What if I do not have transportation?
A: If you do not have transportation there are a couple options. 1.) There are schools within walking distance to campus, 2.) You can always find a friend to volunteer with you that can provide transportation.

Q: Is this open to all KU students?
A: YES! - our tutoring positions are open to KU students of all majors. Only our staff members (school coordinators) must be members of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Q: Do you have to be a KU student?
A: PACE is designed for KU students. Depending on circumstances, other adults may be able to volunteer. Please contact us regarding this.

Q: Is there a certain number of hours I must be enrolled in?
A: No, we do not require a certain number of hours to be involved with PACE.

Q: How can I become a volunteer?
A: Click on the “Click here to volunteer” link on the home page. Eventually you must be trained by a PACE staff member before entering the schools as a PACE tutors.

Q: What if I want to volunteer at a specific school or work with a specific student?
A: Still click on the “Click here to volunteer” link on the home page, there will be the option to include that information. If you REALLY want to volunteer for a certain school and a specific subject, we might be able to e-mail area teachers and express your interest.

Q: Are there any requirements for volunteers?
A: The only requirements for volunteering are that you have an interest in helping students and will be able to attend at your assigned time almost every week. We do not require certain majors, career paths, or past class experience, but we do ask that our tutors have a set schedule that they will stick to and be dependable.

Q: Do I have to volunteer at the same time each week?
A: Yes, the schools and students appreciate the regularity.

Questions after signing up:

Q: How do I keep track of my hours?
A: In the past, tutors have recorded their hours in a PACE binder located in the office of their assigned school. Because students sometimes could not locate the binder and often forgot to sign in, you will be in charge of keeping track of your own hours. In an effort to become "green," we ask that you record your hours on an excel file and e-mail the file to us when we request your logs. This will help cut down on paper and carbon emissions because our school coordinators no longer have to drive all around town to collect the logs.

Q: Do I need to prepare lesson plans for our students?
A: No. You should not be creating lesson plans - that is the job of the teacher you work with.

Q: Is there a dress code?
A: No, there is no specific PACE dress code. However, all volunteers should wear appropriate clothes. Many men often forget that hats are NOT ALLOWED within the schools. Also, please do not wear dirty or torn clothes, short shirts, spaghetti strap tank tops, extremely short skirts/shorts, or clothing with drugs, alcohol, or profanity.

Q: Can I bring my friend?
A: We definitely want all of the volunteers we can get. However, each volunteer must be trained and be given permission by the school to volunteer. Please do not bring people who are not signed up with PACE into the schools.

Q: Can I exchange phone numbers, email addresses, or addresses with my student?
A: No out of school contact is allowed because of liability issues. Although it would be nice to talk with your student outside of the school, this is not a possibility with PACE, so please don’t do it! If you are interested in transitioning into the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program you will then be able to have contact with your student outside of the school.

Q: Can I bring my student presents?
A: No, please do not buy your student any gifts. If you are extremely interested in giving your student something please contact us.

Q: Can I work with the same student next semester?
A: We feel that students benefit immensely when staying with the same mentor and work to keep students and mentors together. However, we realize that most KU students' schedules are not extremely flexible. Schools can often do minor alterations in their student’s schedules. We will try to accommodate you if you are interested in working with the same student again.

Q: What if something comes up and I can't volunteer anymore?
A: Please contact us ASAP and we can notify your teacher of your extended absence.

Q: What if I go out of town for a short time and miss a day or two?
A: Please inform your school coordinator and your school/teacher immediately. We ask that you inform them before you miss your tutoring session, at least a week in advance if at all possible.

Q: What should I do if I'm very concerned for the safety or well being of my student?
A: Please alert the school staff (the guidance counselor or WRAP worker if possible) before leaving the school.

Q: Do I have to be trained?
A: Yes, it is required that all volunteers attend a training session before volunteering at the school. Follow the "Current Volunteers" link for more information about training.

Q: What do I do when I get to the school?
A: You must sign-in at your assigned school's office. Most schools have you wear some sort of "Visitor" sticker. Please use the main entrance to the school and make it a habit of signing in everday.

Problems when mentoring:

P: My student tells me that his/her teachers are treating him/her unfairly.
S: Students and teachers often do not see eye to eye. Students may dislike teachers, and therefore disobey in class. As a result teachers may punish students and lose hope in their abilities. Teachers often forget to give “at risk students” the benefit of the doubt. However, these issues are not for the mentor to deal with. If you believe that your student is being treated unfairly please talk with the guidance counselor, not the teacher.

P: My student has told me something of a serious nature, but I promised I would not tell.
S: Do not promise your student that you will not tell anyone what they tell you. If you have already done so, you still must report anything serious. If you have information that your student is being abused or hurt, your student has suicidal thoughts, your student thinks another student may hurt them, your student has an eating disorder, or that your student is doing heavy drugs, you must report it. If you have information about other students such as a fight that might occur, a student who is carrying a weapon, or another student that is suicidal, you must report it.

P: My student has asked me for my phone number and/or email address and has given me theirs.
S: Explain to your student that you cannot exchange contact information. Your only contact can be on school grounds. Please do not exchange any contact information. If you would like to be in contact with your student outside of school, please consider working through Big Brother Big Sister. If you are interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister to your student, please talk to us for more information.

P: My student keeps missing school on the days that I mentor. I go all the way to the school just to find out that they are not there.
S: If your student regularly misses school, you can call the attendance office before going. The school phone numbers can be found on this website or can be attained by emailing us at PACEku@gmail.com. Explain to the school that you are their mentor before asking if they are at school.