Monday, September 10, 2007
Students who want to become more involved in the community can earn college credit for their efforts. In correlation with the Center for Service Learning, faculty and students participate in group activities that examine problems in communities.
Students then work to help solve those problems by doing a variety of tasks, going on alternative breaks or becoming a volunteer. Students can also become certified in service learning.
To become certified, students must complete four tasks. First, they must enroll in a corresponding service learning class from a variety of subjects, including history and sociology. Students must then complete a series of directed readings of articles or book chapters. Third, they must complete an independent project, which could range from taking another service learning class to being a volunteer in the community or going on an alternative break. The students must then submit a reflection piece that explains what they learned about the problems in the community and how those findings might apply to other community problems.
Students who are looking for ways to become more involved in the community and earn college credit at the same time can do so with the help of the University.
At the Center for Service Learning, students participate in group activities that examine various problems in communities. Students work to help solve those problems by doing a variety of tasks, including going on alternative breaks or becoming a volunteer. Students can also become certified in service learning.
To become certified, students must enroll in a corresponding service learning class, complete a series of directed readings, complete an independent project and submit a reflection that explains what they learned.
Danielle Strauber, Centennial, Colo., senior, is certified in service learning. She has done volunteer work for the Humane Society and United Way. Strauber went to the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind in Spartanburg, S.C., and worked one-on-one with children, helping them learn Braille.
“It was really great,” she said.
T.J. Trum, Stillwell senior, is also certified in service learning. A double major in political science and psychology, Trum became interested in the program following his internship in Washington D.C. Strum later incorporated some of the things he learned back home. In Stillwell, he worked in a therapeutic writing center and helped teach religious studies.
“I think that’s when the most learning occurs, when people interact,” Trum said.
Trum said that one benefit of being certified was that he learned from the experiences of others.
“I can take the messages that they learned and taught me, and then apply that to my own work, and I hope I can do the same for them,” he said. “It’s like the old ethic: You can take what you learn and apply it in all fields.”
Ryan Casey works at the CSL and is a volunteer in the AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America, or VISTA, program. VISTA is a one-year commitment where members work to address community needs, like improving health care services and creating new businesses.
Casey, a native of North Attleboro, Mass., is in his third week in the program. Prior to joining AmeriCorps, he worked as a research associate for a health care investment bank in Boston.
“While I greatly enjoyed my time there, I wanted to live and serve outside of the Northeast for a while.” He said.
Casey said this year’s goal was to have 200 students certified in service learning, which would be 50 more than last year.
“Students not only gain an enhanced appreciation for their course material and civic involvement, they also gain a valuable addition to their transcript, useful during the all-important first job interview and/or graduate school application,” Casey said.
For more information, go to www.servicelearning.ku.edu/.
— Edited by Kaitlyn Syring
Transitional care
Making the switch from college student to a paid volunteer.
Student senator profile: Aaron Jacobs
Jacobs left school to volunteer with AmeriCorps VISTA, and is back at ...
Grants reward student volunteers
Careers for the Common Good will pay 200 University students who serve ...
Volunteers encourage service over corporate life
Alumnae to share experiences on CNN
University graduate Ashley Stone will discuss her time helping Hurricane Katrina victims ...
Programs certifying more students
More students are involved in University programs dealing with service, research and ...
Editorial: Turning away victims unacceptable
Additional certification for nurses could help sexual assault victims.
From foster system to independent living
StopGap is a developing organization that will help teens in foster care ...
Volunteer Fair shares alternative break options
Students can find out information about volunteering in places like New Orleans ...
Center for Service Learning finds new home
Transitional program for foster children in the ...
StopGap Inc. hopes to open within the calendar year.
Cohen: Serve America Act rewards goodwill
It is important to value volunteering and give back to our communities ...
Free: New Congress, same story for the ...
The middle and lower classes are being punished for the excesses and ...
Editorial: Certified nurses important
Lawrence Memorial Hospital is certifying more nurses to care for rape victims.
Handshy: Getting an A in the real ...
Student should take opportunities at the University to take their learning off ...
Alternative Breaks to offer more weekend programs
The organization wants to give students more affordable opportunities to be involved.
Some students take longer to finish degrees
Study abroad, multiple majors and extracurricular involvement can postpone graduation.
Care for rape victims inadequate, says DA
Short-staffed Lawrence Memorial Hospital is criticized by Branson for turning away victims ...
Where do CLAS graduates go from here?
Rough job markets take bigger toll on liberal arts majors.
Students continue to volunteer in tornado relief ...
Volunteers are helping to rebuild Joplin, Mo., after a devastating tornado hit ...
Students volunteer to help visually impaired
Students read and record news articles, stories and books for those who ...
Students use summer trips to give back
Some students choose to give back rather than to lay out for ...
Thornbrugh: Brother, can you spare some credit ...
Help a sister out.
New group creates volunteer opportunities
KU Advocacy Corps seeks to generate connections University and community-based service organizations
Holidays bring volunteering opportunities
Students can give a little by helping with programs at the Center ...
Local junior highs looking for basketball coaches
Coaches must be available to hold one or two practices a week ...
Athlete stands out off the court
Caitlin Mahoney was named to the Big 12 Fall Sports Good Works ...
New map helps volunteers and aid seekers
Several local authorities collaborated to make the list of 91 aid resources ...
Into the Streets with community service
Humanitarian event will feature a speech Nobel Prize winner Jody Williams on ...
Homeless rate in Lawrence increases
Experts encourage students to get involve and help solve the problem.
Students decide to make break special
Alternative Breaks program offers volunteer experience to make student breaks count.
Working To Serve
Graduates opt for alternative jobs instead of joing the corporate world.
From foster child to college grad
Former foster children face a difficult road in college.
Veterans’ transition not always smooth
Everything from receiving educational benefits to socializing with civilians can be a ...
Chancellor’s inauguration date announced
Gray-Little will emphasize community service in her April 11, 2010, inauguration.
Business students gain real-life experience
Those enrolled in ‘Tax Research’ class present new form guidelines to community ...
Merge between bus systems in the works
New Lawrence Transit Administrator, Robert Nugent, works to merge Transit System with ...
Students defy statistics, give back to community
Three KU students split their time between studying and volunteering.
Students lend hand throughout community
Organizers hope the event will help students connect with their community. Students ...
Certified students provide free tax services
Business and law students volunteer to offer tax assistance to KU students ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID