General Information about:
The Community Service Requirement's History
Overview of Community Service Requirement
More Information about the Community Service Requirement (CMSV 100):
CMSV 100 Rights and Resposibilities
Completing Community Service 100 during the Summer of 2009
In 1986, then President William Kinnison joined Campus Compact in order to promote public service on college campuses. A volunteer program, called “Doing Our Share” was established and by November boasted 200 participants. In the spring of 1988, Wittenberg established a community service graduation requirement. “One of the aims of Community Service is to create an awareness of the needs of others and to develop more compassionate human beings who are able to respond to these needs. In order to help students achieve these goals, Wittenberg will place them in an environment that will develop their awareness of social responsibilities.” (Faculty Minutes, 2/4/89). Through the years, refining changes improved Wittenberg’s service effort. Significant among these was the faculty vote in the Fall of 2000 to create the course Community Service 100 (CMSV 100).
Students register for the course Community Service 100 (CMSV 100) in one semester before they graduate. They attend a mandatory Orientation and Service Fair to prepare them for the service experience, to find out what paperwork is required, and what type of service is appropriate. They participate in 27 hours of direct service (see guidelines for CMSV 100) and 20 hours minimum must be completed at one service site. They must also notify the Community Service Office of their service placement using the Placement Confirmation form. In addition, they participate in a Reflection session to discuss what they are learning from the experience and to engage in dialogues related to service and community. They turn in a Service Log, Site Evaluation and Self-Evaluation as well as a Reflection Essay.
The CMSV 100 experience provides students the opportunity to:
• Interact with people from various cultures and life situations and address societal issues that challenges the community.
• Engage with non-profit organizations that are in partnership with the Community Service Office.
• Participate in alternative service immersion experiences offered during break times that are sponsored by a Wittenberg organization/department. An approved alternative spring break trip counts for 20 hours of 27 service hours needed to complete CMSV 100. The final 7 hours of service must be completed in the Springfield community.
•Connect with Springfield/Clark County by completing service hours in this community. If a service opportunity is not available on the partner list or cannot be arranged by the Community Service Office, then a student can submit a self-design proposal to the Director of Community Service for approval.
The CMSV 100 experience:
• Is separate from service required by internship or another course.
• Is not compensated.
• Does not allow students to count hours spent sleeping or traveling towards the total hours needed to complete the requirement.
• Does not involve direct religious persuasion or political campaigning.
• Does not include participating in events such as fundraisers where the student does not interact directly with the non-profit organization.
• Must be completed during the semester registered for CMSV 100 to successfully pass and to receive possible Dean’s List recognition.
• Acquire skills in learning from experience (to observe, ask questions, synthesize, problem solve)
• Recognize and address the needs of the community.
• Add a positive value to your college experience.
• Develop personally.
• Build meaningful relationships with individuals in the community.
• Believe that you have the ability to make a difference.
• Develop an understanding and compassion for people from various cultures and life situations
• Experience the satisfaction of doing something worthwhile for a community.
• Learn to use your skills, talents, and knowledge to benefit others.
• Better understand an organization’s structure, goals and importance to the community.
CMSV 100 Rights and Responsibilities
For Students:
RIGHTS:
• Expect clear and appropriate assignments
• Experience fulfilling work
• Receive orientation and training
• Expect informed involvement with agency
• Encounter safe and healthy working conditions
• Have access to individuals to go to for help
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Set up a service experience in a timely manner
• Be persistent in your communication
• Be honest about goals, skills, limitations and motivations
• Fulfill your commitment
• Maintain confidentiality
• Cooperate with staff
• Be flexible and open-minded
• Stay informed
• Ask for help when needed
• Understand your role
For Community Service Partners:
RIGHTS:
• Expect support for your site and its personnel
• Expect students to be responsible, flexible, cooperative, and to fulfill their commitment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide fulfilling and challenging tasks
• Require students to attend orientation and training
• Provide safe and healthy working conditions
• Offer adequate supervision and help when needed
• Complete paperwork (service log and evaluation)
• Inform Community Service Office of concerns or issues
• Expose students to issues related to your site
• Reflect with students on what they are learning from their service experience.
Placement Confimation - students are asked to submit this form by the end of the 6th week of the semester to inform the Community Service Office of their service placement. It asks the students to describe and determine goals for the service experience. It must be signed by the student and the site manager.
Service Log - students use this form to record hours served (20 hrs minimum) and specific activities each visit. Form is typically kept on-site. If a site requires a separate sign-in, the student should ask who will fill out the Service Log.
Site Manager Evaluation - the site manager completes one form for each student at the site. Site-Managers complete the form for students completing 20+ service hours.
Self-Evaluation - student comments are solicited at the end of the semester regarding the service, service site and the Community Service Office.
Reflection Essay - an assigned 3-4 page essay asking students to share service experiences and what they have learned. This essay fulfills 1 hour of reflection.
Self-Design Proposal - students must submit this proposal if they want to create a self-designed experience, but it must meet the guidelines for CMSV 100 and be approved. Students must complete their service at a partner site and/or in Springfield, unless the opportunity is not available or cannot be arranged by the Community Service Office. In reviewing the proposal, the Director will consider the student’s previous level of engagement with the Springfield/Clark County community, if the type of experience proposed could be provided at one of the partner sites and if the gifts, skills, or knowledge the students would be using could benefit to one of the partner sites.
Special Project Log - used for pre-approved service not completed at the student’s primary site. A maximum of 7 hours total may be submitted as Special Project hours.
All forms are available on the Forms Page.
Completing Community Service 100 during the Summer of 2009
