Center for Community Engagement
Center for Community Engagement
Students applying for the USM CItizen Scholars designation should ensure they complete 100 hours SEPARATELY from their community-engaged learning experience.
Community Service | Not Community Service |
Volunteering with a community organization (e.g. coaching, tutoring, mentoring, food pantries, nursing homes, etc.) | Volunteering, job shadowing, or internship that benefits a for-profit business |
Service hours undertaken with a faith-based organization that benefits the community without faith requirement | Service only benefiting a specific church, congregation, creed, or evangelism |
Volunteering as part of an event (e.g. washing cars at a car wash) to raise money for charity | Selling items for a fundraiser, asking people for money, or making donations |
Volunteering at a charity event organized by a campus department | Volunteering for a campus department activity that only benefits the University |
Activities that benefit the health or well-being of the entire campus community | Student organizational tabling or activities with no benefit to community well-being |
Citizenship activities (i.e. voter registration) | Campaigning for a specific candidate or political party |
Not all experiences count as community service. Typically, traditional internships, practicums, or student teaching experiences do not count because the benefit is almost entirely for the student. There are exceptions, however.
Characteristics | Service-Learning | Community Service | Traditional Internship/Practicums/Student Teaching |
|
Student and recipient(s) | Recipient(s) | Student |
Primary Focus | Providing meaningful service & enhancing classroom learning |
Providing meaningful service | Learning by doing |
Intended Educational Purpose/Benefits |
Academic learning, enhanced intellectual and civic engagement | Moral, personal and social growth and development | Career development and professional preparation |
Curricular Integration |
Full integration within the curriculum | None | Co-curricular and supplemental |
Reflection | Includes structured reflections |
Generally not included | May include reflection |
Nature of Service Activity |
Based on course topic or discipline | Based on student interest or motivation | Based on industry or career |
Duration of Activity |
Semester | Agency decision | A semester or longer |
Time Commitment |
Prescribed by class instructor | Variable | Prescribed by program |