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Service-Learning Designation
 



How to Apply for a SL Designation:

Submit the SL Designation Application Form and the SL designation course questionnaire with your syllabus to the University Service Learning Committee by the appropriate deadline. Complete applications should be sent to: Jessica Gagne Cloutier, 1604 Old Cafeteria Complex, or to gagnej@ecu.edu.
The committee will review your proposal/syllabus/assignments to make sure they meet the criteria listed below. The criteria have been adapted from the national standards that have been established by Campus Compact.

Information about the Service-Learning Designation

Faculty members interested in obtaining a service learning designation for their courses are invited to submit a service learning course proposal form and syllabus for review by the University Service Learning Advisory Committee. Courses approved for the “SL” designation will be listed as such in the university catalogs.


Why get an SL Designation?

  1. Many students consider service learning a transformative way to learn and grow while others may want the credits to satisfy requirements proposed for a leadership or service certificate or portfolio, or the honors program. Students find that this documentation also helps when they seek employment and/or apply to graduate school. The SL designation will be recorded on student transcripts.
  2. Faculty members who are familiar with service learning serve as a peer review committee for service learning course submissions. The committee reviews proposals and syllabi to ensure they meet the five criteria listed below, and also offers suggestions and constructive input as needed to make the service-learning experience a positive one for all involved.
  3. The SL designation helps ECU collect information, report, and recognize the important contributions that our faculty and students make to the community.

Support for Faculty Who Incorporate Service Learning:

  1. The Volunteer and Service-Learning Center is available to assist faculty with identifying community partners and projects, and then maintaining positive partner relationships. The Center works with several non-profit agencies and maintains a database of current community needs and requests.
  2. VSLC staff provide orientation sessions for your students at the beginning of each semester to introduce your students to service learning and to answer their questions about community partners, logistics, and safety.
  3. Free liability insurance is available for your students. This insurance provides liability insurance if students damage people or property while performing service at the agency. The policy also provides limited coverage for motor-vehicle accidents and personal injury. Students must complete a registration form to be eligible for insurance coverage.
  4. The Volunteer and Service Learning Center also offers workshops and a conference on service learning. The Center arranges for faculty with experience and expertise to offer workshops and to serve as mentors, and also hosts nationally recognized experts in the field of service learning.
  5. Assessment opportunities for the service learning component of your course by the Volunteer and Service Learning Center. The Center provides you a summary of the data collected from your students. This provides valuable information about what worked and what did not and how you can introduce changes you think will be beneficial. These assessments also help the Center better serve ECU service-learning courses.