The Department of Service Learning is located in Duns Scotus 226, on the °®½´ÊÓƵ Campus. Staffed by a Director and work study student assistants, the Department provides guidance and assistance year-round to hundreds of students who engage in short- and long-term service-learning projects in one of °®½´ÊÓƵ’s three partner communities (Seneca Babcock, the West Side, Broadway Fillmore) or at other °®½´ÊÓƵ sponsored service placements. Within these urban, disadvantaged neighborhoods, students serve, learn, and gain the leadership, cross-cultural, and communication skills necessary to become civic-minded individuals prepared to contribute and participate in a democratic society.
Our Mission
To provide opportunities and resources for students to become engaged learners and informed, caring citizens while fulfilling °®½´ÊÓƵ's 'Civic Engagement' competency. This is accomplished by connecting students with their local and global communities through experiences that integrate academic course objectives, active service participation, and thoughtful reflection on these experiences.
The 5 W’s of Service Learning
What is Service Learning?
Service-learning is a form of experiential learning that goes beyond traditional community service. Service-learning connects students to the community by linking academic curricula with active participation in service and provides in-class opportunities for students to reflect on their experiences. The Service Learning Director strives to ensure that all service placements are mutually beneficial for students, the University, and the community partners being served (°®½´ÊÓƵ has over 50 community partners).
Who Participates in Service Learning?
The °®½´ÊÓƵ Core curriculum requires every undergraduate student complete a minimum of one three-credit hour academic service learning course prior to graduation. This requirement is fulfilled through a combination of academic course assignments such as text readings, journaling, reflection papers, and in-class discussions and presentations AND 20 hours of service in a selected community agency for each credit hour of the service learning course – i.e., 20 service hours X 3 credit hours = 60 service hours total. Another option is the completion of three separate one-credit add-ons to existing courses with 20 hours of service for each course.
When are your Service Placements Offered?
Service opportunities are offered Monday through Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Typically, a student will complete four hours per week during the semester in which they are enrolled in the service-learning course.
Where are Students Placed?
The majority of students are placed in one of °®½´ÊÓƵ’s three partner neighborhoods in the City of Buffalo - the Seneca Babcock community, the West Side, or Broadway-Fillmore. A complete list of placements within these communities as well as other °®½´ÊÓƵ sponsored service placements can be found on this website.
Why Service Learning?
Relevant and meaningful service:
- allows faculty to address multiple and varied student learning needs
- enhances students’ academic and personal learning and growth, and heightens their civic responsibility
- benefits youth, seniors, and families in local and global communities
For more information or questions contact
Adriane Z. Williams, Director
Paul A Saffrin Center for Sustainability and Civic Engagement
awilliam@daemen.edu
(716) 566-7877