The Team conducted a study through nine sections of University Seminar in Fall 2003 and observed significant increases in civic engagement preferences by students participating in SL. The study continues in Fall 2004 with additional sections of University Seminar offering SL opportunities. Texas State faculty were surveyed and results indicate that 8 colleges, 35 departments and 124 faculty are currently involved in SL. In addition, 206 faculty responded that they were not involved in SL, but this high response rate suggests extensive faculty interest and a need for training and support. These findings and other Team accomplishments were recently presented at an American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) national conference.

General finding

Considering all reporting faculty, Texas State is serving or has served nearly 200 agencies, organizations or individuals in the Greater San Marcos area.

Are you involved in service learning?

Yes: 129 (97 directly linked and 32 with potential for linking to curriculum)
No: 220
Total respondents: 349

Eight Colleges and 35 departments are represented in the yes responses. Of the yes responses, 124 were considered valid. See chart below for breakdown.

College	Department	Valid Yes Responses
Applied Arts	Agriculture Career & Tech Ed. Criminal Justice Family & Consumer Science	4 5 4 8 Total - 21
Business	Accounting CIS & Quantitative Methods Finance & Economics Management Marketing	2 1 1 2 3 Total - 9
Education	Curriculum & Instruction Education Admin & Psych Services Health, P. E. & Recreation	11 7 14 Total - 32
Fine Arts & Communication	Art & Design Communication Studies Mass Communications Music Theatre & Dance	1 1 2 5 1 Total - 10
Health Professions	Communication Disorders Health Administration Heath Service Research Respiratory Care Social Work	1 2 3 3 4 Total - 13
Liberal Arts	Anthropology English Geography History Modern Language Philosophy Political Science Psychology Sociology	1 2 2 Total - 5
Science	Biology Chemistry Physics	1 2 2 Total - 5
University College 8	University Seminar 35	5 124

How is service learning integrated into your curriculum?

 

Requirement in a course	26
Internship, practicum, or independent study course	19
Optional or extra credit opportunity	15

What Community needs are best addressed by this/these services?

 

Health and Social Services	38
Education	29
Community Organizations & Agencies	25
Environment, Preservation, Geographic Information Systems	14
Art, Music, Dance, Reading, Media	12
Legal Services

Briefly describe each service activity.

Teaching, Mentoring, Tutoring	31
Volunteering	26
Assessment, Therapy, Clinical	23
Internships, Administration	18
Community Programs & Events	8
Pro Bono	7
Performance, Productions	6
Project, Studies & Internships

Survey Report

The Service-Learning Team (Team), appointed by VPAA Gratz in late 2002, was charged to implement a pilot study of Service-Learning (SL) and to develop an integrated, systematic program to provide all Texas State undergraduate students an opportunity to participate in SL as part of their academic experience. The Team, composed of faculty, staff, students, administrators and alumni adopted a mission, vision, and definition for SL at Texas State. SL is defined as “a teaching and learning approach that integrates community service and academic study to enrich learning, promote civic and personal responsibility and strengthen communities.”

The Team conducted a study through nine sections of University Seminar in Fall 2003 and observed significant increases in civic engagement preferences by students participating in SL. The study continues in Fall 2004 with additional sections of University Seminar offering SL opportunities. Texas State faculty were surveyed and results indicate that 8 colleges, 35 departments and 124 faculty are currently involved in SL. In addition, 206 faculty responded that they were not involved in SL, but this high response rate suggests extensive faculty interest and a need for training and support. These findings and other Team accomplishments were recently presented at an American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) national conference.

Other Team accomplishments include the following:

• facilitated the award of Merrick funds for incorporating SL in courses;
• helped reestablish the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) national service chapter;
• gained the support of Associated Student Government (ASG) for SL;
• developing a Freshman Interest Group (FIG) for SL;
• developed a SL website; and
• created a synergistic alliance among Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and University Advancement.

Further, the Team has been the primary entree for the Democracy through Diversity project’s access to the Texas State community. Team members have actively participated in Bobcat Build and the development of the American Democracy Project at Texas State.

Over the next few months the Team will meet to consider next steps. For example, we will determine if there are others who wish to participate in Team planning and development. We will also consider ways to better catalogue and coordinate existing SL activity.

As many faculty, staff, students and administrators have stepped up to participate in the SL initiative, a grassroots opportunity has emerged to help mobilize the Texas State mission. Through SL, Texas State can create an exceptional educational experience, develop a sense of community, enrich character, offer more engaged teaching and learning opportunities, strengthen scholarly activities, produce a commitment to public service, and systematically and continuously improve the program of SL.

Service Learning Team Members
Oren Renick, Chair, Health Administration, Team Chair
Judy Allen, Professor, Family & Consumer Sciences
Rebecca Bell-Metereau, Professor, English
Sue Biederman, Program Chair, Health Information Management
Ron Brown, Dean, University College
Jane Butters, Graduate Assistant for School Improvement
Stan Carpenter, Chair, Educational Admin. & Psych. Services
Dainon Deviney, Student Volunteer Connection
Ellen Ermis, University Honors Program
Amanda Estrada, Graduate Student, PRAXIS Director
Carl Glickman, Mitte Chair for School Improvement
Mike Hamilton, Instructor, Curriculum & Instruction
Lisa Hellmer, Coordinator, Student Volunteer Connection
Charles Johnson, Chair, Health Services Research
Karen Julian, Assistant Director, Career Services
Sonya Lopez, Center for Children & Families, Casa Esperanza
Vincent Luizzi, Chair, Philosophy
Diann McCabe, Interim Director, University Honors Program
Michael Miller, Director, Campus Christian Community
Bob Mooney, Health Administration
Billy Moore, Retired, Regional & Economic Development
Randall Osborne, Chair, Psychology
Kim Porterfield, Coordinator, Community Relations
Rodney Rohde, Assistant Professor, Clinical Laboratory Science
Jonathan Sample, Center for Children & Families, Casa Esperanza
Tommy Sanchez, Graduate Student, Residential College
Shannon Williams, Lecturer, Physical Therapy
Sandy Ransom, Director, Texas Long Term Care Institute
Bob Smallwood, Associate VPAA, Academic Assessment
Paula Williamson, Professor, Biology