Service-Learning and Civic Engagement (SLCE) Program at USAO
SLCE is an interdisciplinary program that includes a broad range of service-oriented activities beyond the classroom, including: undergraduate research, internships, independent studies, tutorials, senior seminars, fieldwork and other community-based activities. The SLCE website is a resource to facilitate collaboration between USAO faculty, students, service-providers and members of the community by promoting student volunteerism and service-learning and undergraduate research. We maintain a database of Community Partners, as well as a current list of volunteer opportunities. Members of the community are encouraged to contact us to learn more about becoming a Community Partner and posting a profile. The website also includes descriptions of past, current, upcoming and ongoing service projects and initiatives, as well as resources for students and faculty interested in developing new service-oriented projects.
A New Approach: The current generation of students have more service experience entering college than any in three decades. In addition to facilitating service-learning course components, the SLCE office actively encourages students to develop their own SLCE Independent Projects. Just as faculty introduce SLCE into their courses, students have the opportunity to create a service-learning program of study related to most any service-oriented activity they are involved in. The flexibility of the Independent Project option for students to earn SLCE credit opens the possibility of earning SLCE credit for student clubs' activities in the community.
Looking for a volunteer opportunity right away?
Check our webpage of current and ongoing volunteer opportunities!
New SLCE Courses:
Race and Ethnic Relations (SOC 4103; PSCI 4883 Edmondson) Students will be working with the US Census Bureau (see Active Partnerships below) to promote and facilitate participation on campus and in the community. Students will study the ways in which ethnic and racial groups are constructed through the census program, the ways in which these groups are (mis)counted, and the real-world impacts of the census.
Advanced Accounting (MGMT 4353 Elder) Students will be developing a business model for distribution and sales of Drover Salsa and other products of the USAO campus garden.
Public Finance (ECON 3783 Guzik) Students will be developing public policy and business models in a range of areas, such as education, health care, and economic development. In some cases, students will be implementing local policy recommendations.
New SLCE Independent Projects
USAO Campus Garden Projects
Projects involving the USAO campus garden include working with students from Chickasha schools through the Botany Buddies program. A compost demonstration facility under construction adjacent to the garden will demonstrate five composting designs, providing learning opportunities for both school children and members of the community. Students in SLCE previous projects have established the facility designs and created a campus-wide compost collection and production program.
2010 Living Science Clubs
Living Science clubs are elementary and high school curricula and events organized by teams of USAO students through independent SLCE projects. In the Spring 2010 term, projects will be recorded under the Science Education SLCE section.
The Spring 2009 Botany Buddies program with fourth-grade students at Lincoln Elementary was a great success. A team of SLCE students will be further developing the program by including additional in-class resources, a compost activity, and a botany “product” for the students to grow and enjoy: Drover Salsa. As outlined above, the SLCE students in MGMT 4353 will be developing a model for sales and distribution where a certain amount of profit and product are reserved for participating students.
An astronomy club is being developed by a USAO student, also under the SLCE independent Science Education course.
Grant Writing: “Going Green”
Students involved in this SLCE independent project will be identifying and pursuing grants related to, among other things, environmental sustainability. Such grants may focus on supporting current initiatives related to established projects, or develop new initiatives.
Active SLCE Program Partnerships
AmeriCorps*VISTA
With the completion of VISTA Member Jessica Anthony’s term at USAO, the SLCE office is now recruiting a VISTA Member to begin a one-year term of service. I have conducted a second interview with a potential candidate and begun the formal application process. With the huge increase in interest, VISTA training may not be available until March 2010. Because the VISTA applicant (USAO graduate Lisa Snow) does not require housing or other additional costs from USAO, I continue to seek applicants to fill the positions made available to Oklahoma through Campus Compact.
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity
After completing a community needs assessment (an SLCE project led by Dr. Elder) we have determined that USAO should affiliate with the Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity chapter rather than establish an independent chapter. We are taking the first steps to establish this partnership and expect to complete the formal affiliation by Summer 2010. We will be able to begin our first build project in Chickasha in Fall 2010, using the funds gifted to USAO by Delta Faucet.
Chickasha Department of Community Development
The SLCE office is working with Chickasha Community Development director Justin LeBeau to explore the possibility of converting the abandoned tennis courts into a community garden (see Campus Garden Project below.) A second project, adopted as the term initiative of the USAO Sociology Club, will explore the possibilities of community beautification.
Chickasha Public Schools (Lincoln elem.)
(See description of the Living Science Clubs above.)
City of Minco
Building on a partnership established through a previous SLCE course, SLCE students in Science Education are organizing an event in Minco demonstrating various methods composting. Further, SLCE students hope to partner with Minco public schools to demonstrate compost systems as well as explore the possibility of establishing school gardens.
US Census Bureau
USAO established a partnership with the 2010 census project to promote participation among students, as well as set up census help centers for members of the community. As part of their service-learning requirements, students in Race and Ethnic Relations will take the lead on USAO participation.
