About Us

Our organization functions in association with and with support from Cornell’s Public Service Center and the George Junior Republic High School (GJR). Our objectives are: 1. To centralize the needs and interests of the GJR students in the development and maintenance of quality after-school programming 2. To serve as an umbrella organization for the Poetic Justice and computer science clubs, as well as any other organizations that the high school students seek to initiate through a partnership with Cornell 3. To critically reflect on off-campus civic engagement and the larger systems in which we enact such engagement 4. To nourish a reciprocal partnership in which Cornell students both provide resources for and learn from GJR students 5. To provide support and opportunities for personal reflection to all Compass members 6. To serve as a gatekeeper to the GJR after-school programs and provide support for other students, classes or professors who may wish to engage with Compass organizations 7. To coordinate and maintain strong communication channels with with GJR teachers program co-facilitators (i.e. the Math and Literacy Coaches) 8. To provide educational opportunities for the Cornell community, and especially Compass members, on broader systems of oppression – such as socioeconomic status, racial identity, gender identity, sexuality, ability status, etc. – that contribute to the disenfranchisement of many of the GJR students 9. To counteract that disenfranchisement and empower GJR students by providing them a platform for creativity, learning, and leadership