NEW: ARW 2010 is on its way!
Ever been involved in your community? A lot? Never? Community service-learning could be for you! Get involved in meaningful ways, enrich your education, and gain an edge in the career market. Explore this website and feel welcome to contact us for more information.
"What if I've never done something like this before?"
No worries; no experience is needed. Just sign up and we'll guide you through the rest.
"What is this kind of programming about?"
Community Service-Learning is a model of programming where students can:
- make a difference through service to the community
- gain a better understanding of community issues
- expand awareness of leadership and citizenship roles
- build experience for future career
- meet great people :)
"Yeah, but what is community service-learning?"
Community service-learning, or CSL, expands our university focus in our wider community. Through partnership with community-based organizations, students are placed with these organizations to work (unpaid ;)) to address community-identified needs, while also learning from the front-lines knowledge of the organizations. As a model of experiential learning, CSL is based on a knowledge-action-reflection cycle that links the placement experiences to (for example) courses, personal goals, or future career paths.
It’s a great way to learn hands-on, to get to know our community, and build valuable experience.
More of our programming
Alternative Reading Week
Alternative Reading Week is held annually during the February break. Starting in 2006, ARW has taken students into our core neighbourhoods, with placements in organizations like the Saskatoon Friendship Inn and Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon.
The application process for Alternative Reading Week 2010 is now open. Check our Alternative Reading Week page to learn more.
Did you know... every year since the beginning, we have had professors involved in this as well? In the pilot year (2006), Professor Paul Bidwell, who was head of the English Department at the time, had this to say in his viewpoint article published in On Campus News in May 2006. There are quotes from student participants, too.
One-Day Community Service-Learning Events
These events bring community partners and university students together to make a difference, learn a little, meet great people, and have some fun - all in just one day!
Our next one-day event is Saturday, September 12th - Project Serve 2009!
Some past events: Project Serve 2008 - Saturday, September 20, 2008 (presented through Volunteer Saskatoon, St.Thomas More College, and the University Learning Centre); Winter One-day - Saturday, February 23rd; United Way Lantern-Making - Saturday, October 27th, and the pilot Project Serve, September 2007 (This program was presented in partnership with the College of Kinesiology, St. Thomas More College, the University Learning Centre,and Volunteer Saskatoon). These programs were great successes. Thank you to all participants and partners.
Want to see other examples?
This isn't run through the ULC or the University itself, but the student-run program SWITCH is a great example of how students can get involved and make a difference. Learn more at www.switch.usask.ca
Where did this all start?
Well, the U of S has CSL programs across campus, but the University Learning Centre's CSL program was initiated and developed within the Student and Enrolment Services Division, in partnership with the College of Arts and Science, through funding from the Provost's Committee on Integrated Planning. Centralized support for community service-learning has shifted to the University Learning Centre.