Selecting a Service Site

For each course that the Service Learning Program works with, there is an identified list of agencies that are willing and able to give students specific, course-related, meaningful service opportunities. The staff at the Service Learning Program spends a great deal of time each semester identifying and setting up specific placements for each course. Therefore, we encourage you to use the placements listed for your course. This list, along with a brief description of each site is available online and in the Service Learning Program Office. Due to student demand and placement spots available, some sites fill up fairly quickly. Therefore, it is important to come to Sign-up Night with at least 3 different sites that you are interested in.

Here are some helpful hints when trying to select a site:

• Attend the Agency Fair in order to meet with the different agencies Service Learning works with and to get a better feel of what you might be interested in - Be sure to focus your search on the options that have already been identified for your course.
• Check out the WEB page, under Placements and Courses to see what your options are for your course. It is a good idea to do this before the Agency Fair.
• It is important that you keep in mind the times and days that service opportunities are available, and how those times will fit into your personal schedule. In most cases, agencies will come to depend upon you every week at your scheduled time. You should also be sure to figure in your travel time. Will you be able to be on time, and stay for your whole shift?
• On each site description, you will also find travel directions, approximate travel times, and recommended modes of transportation. Take note of these details when making your decision.
• Safety Concerns: If you are traveling at night, or a far distance, is there someone else that can do Service Learning with you at that time? Do you have a friend that you can carpool with, or take the bus with? Talk to the other students in your class to see if you can figure out a buddy-system. Sometimes agencies will take more than one student at a time.
• Can you make the scheduled orientation time? At Sign-Up Night the Student Coordinator will tell you when the scheduled orientation is for that site. Most agencies ask that if you cannot make the scheduled orientation time, that you do not sign up for their sites. This is another reason to have a few different options in mind when signing up for a placement.
• Call the Service Learning Office if you have any questions or concerns, before you sign up for your placement. Getting your concerns and questions taken care of before you sign up will eliminate problems down the road.