March 12 , 2001

In Georgia, students volunteered with Hands on Atlanta, a local organization that organizes up to 25 projects each month.

Students work for humanitarian causes during Spring Break

by Tara S. Donahue

During her first two years at Vanderbilt, Nicole Taylor participated in Alternative Spring Break. Last year, her junior year, she spent her vacation week more traditionally--at the beach. Last week, she was back on an ASB team, bringing support to Nashville prostitutes who are trying to leave the streets.

The Arts and Science senior was one of 300 Vanderbilt students who participated in Alternative Spring Break March 5-11. Working in groups of 12, the students visited 25 sites to address issues such as the environment, homelessness, women's issues and violence.

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Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center awarded highest government designation

The National Cancer Institute has designated the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest such ranking awarded by the federal government.

The VICC is the only center in Tennessee to join the top tier of cancer centers nationwide. This network of 39 institutions includes respected centers as Memorial Sloan-Kettering, M.D. Anderson and Johns Hopkins.

The announcement was made March 9 by U.S. Sen. Bill Frist in the Wedgewood Room of the University Club.

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Music, messages soon to break the silence for callers on hold

by Jessica Hathaway

Rather than experiencing silence when placed on hold, callers to and within Vanderbilt will soon hear music or customized messages.

"Sometimes, when callers hear complete silence, they are concerned that they have lost their connection," said Glen Miller, director of telecommunications. "Sometimes they hang up and call back, and sometimes they just get anxious. Either way, we don't want to cause that kind of frustration. What we wanted was a pleasant signal to let callers know their call was still engaged."

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