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| II.
Institutional Infrastructure |
B. Creating a Coordinating Entity
In developing and sustaining service-learning opportunities, complex
as they can become, the truism, “if everyone is in charge, no one
is in charge,” could not be more applicable. As in all other aspects
of experiential learning, the need for some clearly identifiable entity
to provide predictable and reliable cohesiveness is apparent.
- Allegheny College - Center for Economic
and Environmental Development
This Center created a college/community partnership for economic development
and environmental improvement purposes.
- Bates College - The Harward Center for
Community Partnerships
The Center was designed to incorporate and centralize a variety of related
initiatives as well as to serve as a liaison to coalitions of community
leaders. It places civic engagement as a core value of liberal learning;
it ensures the legitimacy and longevity of existing partnership values
and programs.
- Berry College - Hunger and Homelessness
Outreach, Programs and Education
HHOPE is the coordinating entity that supports the Saturday Community
Kitchen and other hunger-related programs.
- College Misericordia - The Service
Leadership Center
To advance service leadership, an academically based service-learning
office was created. Through it, many students participated in offering
services to a substantial number of agencies via credit-bearing courses.
This Center reports to the VP for academic affairs. It is staffed to
offer a broad array of related services.
- Columbia College, Chicago - Office
of Community Arts Partnership
The College formed OCAP in order to develop effective and sustainable
partnerships with the local community. The Partnership's founders included
four community-based organizations and six College departments.
- Emory & Henry College - Communities
Allied to Uplift Success in Education
The Appalachian Center for Community Service sought to use the project
to close gaps between ideals and practice.
- Gettysburg College - Nicaragua as
a Template
A faculty liaison position has specified responsibilities.
- Greensboro College - The Village
401 Project
Two college administrators chosen as co-coordinators are reporting to
the President's Council.
- Heritage College - Exemplary Multicultural
Practices in Rural Education
The College's EMPIRE director organized a retreat to foster communication
among participants, as well as a conference with speakers and workshops
that promote the sharing of ideas and strategies.
- Loyola University New Orleans
- The Office of Service Learning
This entity was created to compliment existing community engagement
initiatives and enhance academic instruction. By developing new service-learning
opportunities for students while also addressing community needs, two
sets of objectives could be met. Functions performed by the office director
are outlined.
- Messiah College - The Harrisburg Plan
The Institute—working through the School of Education and Social
Sciences and located at the foot of the State Capitol building—offers
students significant urban experiential-learning opportunties. It helps
academic departments engage teams of faculty members and students in
long-term research projects. Meetings among deans, department chairs,
and key faculty members help integrate efforts that require coordination.
- New England College - Project
Pericles
The Project Pericles Center was designated as the coordinating body
for various aspects of service-learning. The assistant to the president
was appointed director and a professor with expertise in this area was
appointed program director. Two graduate assistants are assisting the
program director.
- Otterbein College - The Community
Service Learning Center
Program coordinators are assisted by a dozen students who facilitate
the work of service-learning for hundreds of peers who are engaged in
various programs. They assist a staff coordinator of community service/residence
hall director.
- Saint Joseph's College of Maine -
The Rural Service Initiative
An office of service-learning was funded by the vice president for academic
affairs; it conducted a workshop for faculty and community partners.
- St. Edward's University - The HEB
Community Internship Project
The University's internship coordinator requests proposals from area
nonprofits which, in return, indicate the need for interns to work on
special projects as well as to develop requirements for training supervisors
and evaluation methods to be utilized. Mutual partnership expectations
are clearly articulated in their meetings. The internship coordinator
also works out other logistical arrangements.
- St. Thomas University - The Campus
and Community Alliance for North Dade
The director of campus ministry and community outreach collects and
analyzes information from evaluations of faculty-community projects.
- Tougaloo College - The Partnership
in Excellence
The Center for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, which provides
the infrastructure that centralizes civic engagement and community outreach
programs and activities, oversees: (1) community service programs, (2)
service-learning, (3) internships and externships, (4) the Leadership
Institute, and (5) classroom civic engagement initiatives designed to
impact social policy.
- University of Indianapolis - Parish
Nursing
Students are mentored and encouraged to explore the vocation of parish
nursing.
- University of the Incarnate
Word - Ministerio de Salud
A health council was formed to evaluate community needs and talents.
It serves as a planning and coordinating body for creating and implementing
health promotion programs. The Council's work results from a letter
of agreement between the University and Archdiocese.
- Wartburg College - Community Builders:
Fostering Intergenerational Civic Engagement
A coordinator for civic engagement (a professional staff position) has
primary responsibility for coordinating logistical requirements needed
to facilitate effective, efficient neighborhood interactions.
- Wesley College - Boys and Girls Club
of Delaware
A graduate student serves as a service coordinator for the campus charter
school and the Club.
- Wesleyan College, Macon - Aunt Maggie's
Kitchen Table
The Aunt Maggie's/Wesleyan Partnership is a cornerstone for the College's
creation of a Center for Community Engagement and Services.
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