“Service Learning is a teaching method, which combines community service with academic instruction as it focuses on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibility. Service Learning programs involve students in organized community service that addresses local needs, while developing their academic skills, sense of civic responsibility, and commitment to the community.” - Campus Compact National Center for Community Colleges

Students who complete any amount of Service Learning hours will receive a Service Learning certificate. Students who complete 15 Service Learning hours or more will receive a SL designation on their transcript.

Faculty First Step to Service Learning

Notify the Learning Signature Faculty Fellow of your class participation in Service Learning by filling out the Service Learning tracking sheet each semester.

Please note: Faculty are not required to submit a proposal for service learning. The tracking sheet is used to provide additional support and send reminders to report service learning hours at the end of the semester.

On-Campus Service Learning

• Find and select a non-profit agency or agencies that addresses a community need.
   
• Provide a statement in the syllabus informing students of the Service Learning project;
  Example: “As a class, you will organize a campus/community wide food drive for the Dr. Levy Food Pantry on campus. You will also help advertise the pantry and create awareness about food insecurity and poverty on campus. Details about the project will be provided in class and on D2L. We will have a mandatory orientation for the project on ________ during class time.”
   
• Set completion deadline at least two weeks before the end of the semester to allow time to report hours.
   
• Promote your Service Learning project on the first day of class.
   
• Plan an in-class orientation to explain the Service Learning project.
   
• Track students’ progress and service hours.
   
• Complete a reflection activity of the instructor’s choice, such as in-class presentations, reflective writings, in-class group discussion, or art work.
  Please note: The reflection activity does not count towards Service Learning hours.
   
• Prepare and send the Service Learning Reporting Form to report hours 2 weeks before final exams to Cy-Fair.LS@LoneStar.edu.

Off-Campus Service Learning

• Collaborate with a community partner of your choice. (See list of community partners)
  Please note: You may choose from the list of community partners or any non-profit community organization.
   
• Provide a statement in the syllabus informing students of the Service Learning project.
  Example: “You will be creating theme-based class projects for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities at Reach Unlimited in Cypress, Texas. A mandatory orientation will take place on ________ during class time.”
   
• Set completion deadline at least two weeks before the end of the semester to allow time to report hours.
   
• Promote your Service Learning project on the first day of class.
   
• Plan an in-class orientation to explain the Service Learning project.
   
• Collaborate with your community partner to plan a student orientation on-or-off-campus
  • Have students complete travel forms during orientation:
    Approval of College Sponsored Travel
    Trip Plan and Trip Roster
    Participant Release and Indemnification Agreement
    Student Code of Conduct
    Student Travel Waiver
     
  • Submit travel forms to your Dean.
     
• Collaborate with your community partner to track student progress and service hours.
   
• Complete a reflection activity of the instructor’s choice, such as in-class presentations, reflective writings, in-class group discussion, or art work.
  Please note: The reflection activity does not count towards Service Learning hours.
   
• Prepare and send the Service Learning Reporting Form to report hours 2 weeks before final exams to Cy-Fair.LS@LoneStar.edu.