The Daily Bulletin Archive

The new College Senate–approved service-learning course designation is off to a great start this semester, and students are reporting being able to identify the 25 service-learning designated courses in Banner during registration. 

Service-learning designation requests are now being accepted for fall 2012 courses and must be submitted by Friday, February 10. 

The College Senate–approved service-learning criteria are as follows:

1. Students meet an identified community need through service in partnership with organizations, schools, or other community groups. The course requires a minimum of 10 hours of service for designation (for a 3-credit course); however the VSLC recommends at least 15 hours of community-based work.
2. The service experience relates to the subject matter of the course and is clearly described in the syllabus.
3. Students are provided structured opportunities to reflect critically on their service experience through writing, discussion, presentation, artistic endeavors, or similar means. 
4. At least 15 percent of the final grade for the course must be based on academic assignments that explicitly link the community service to the academic content of the course.

We strongly encourage faculty members to discuss their plans with their chairs since there is no formal department chair approval needed. Participation in the Service-Learning Faculty Fellowship Program is also strongly encouraged to learn successful strategies and pedagogy. 

The designation process is as follows:

1. Faculty submit a Service-Learning Designation Request Form and syllabus demonstrating the criteria outlined above.
2. Members of the Buffalo State Service-Learning Oversight Committee will review the form and syllabus.
3. If approved, faculty members and department chairs will be notified.
4. Once a course is approved, a syllabus must be kept on file in the VSLC each semester the course is taught as service learning.

Approved service-learning courses will be reflected as service learning in the Notes section of electronic and paper course listings only for the sections submitted as service learning. Service-learning participation will also be recorded on student transcripts.

Additional information and designation request materials are available on the VSLC website. Feel free to contact Laura Hill Rao, VSLC coordinator, ext. 5811, or Gary Welborn, chair and associate professor of sociology and faculty coordinator for service learning, ext. 6428, with any questions.