Institutionalization: Institutionalization: Service Learning at the Service Learning at the

University of Central University of Central OklahomaOklahoma

Josh KrawczykJosh KrawczykDirector, Volunteer and Director, Volunteer and

Service Learning Center (VSLC)Service Learning Center (VSLC)

April 2007April 2007

UCO DemographicsUCO Demographics

16,000+ undergraduate students16,000+ undergraduate students

• Approximately 10% live on campusApproximately 10% live on campus• High international student populationHigh international student population• Racially and ethnically diverseRacially and ethnically diverse• High % of nontraditional studentsHigh % of nontraditional students

Know Your StudentsKnow Your Students

Service Learning and students don’t Service Learning and students don’t exist in a vacuumexist in a vacuum

Service Learning must fit within the Service Learning must fit within the context of their careers at UCOcontext of their careers at UCO

““Meet them where they are” Meet them where they are”

Administrative StructureAdministrative Structure

Housed in Division of Student AffairsHoused in Division of Student Affairs• Director reports to VP Student AffairsDirector reports to VP Student Affairs

VSLC has two full-time staff, Director VSLC has two full-time staff, Director and Volunteer Coordinatorand Volunteer Coordinator• Duties divided: Volunteer Coordinator Duties divided: Volunteer Coordinator

handles all extra curricular service handles all extra curricular service activities, Director handles all curricular activities, Director handles all curricular serviceservice

Constituent GroupsConstituent Groups

The VSLC addresses the needs of The VSLC addresses the needs of three groups:three groups:

• StudentsStudents• FacultyFaculty• Community PartnersCommunity Partners

““Meet them where they are…”Meet them where they are…”

Campus AlliesCampus Allies

PresidentPresident ProvostProvost VP, Student AffairsVP, Student Affairs

• Entire Division of Student AffairsEntire Division of Student Affairs DeansDeans FacultyFaculty Student Government Student Government

VisionVision

VSLC MissionVSLC Mission

The Volunteer and Service Learning Center at The Volunteer and Service Learning Center at UCO will provide diverse opportunities for UCO will provide diverse opportunities for students to perform meaningful service in the students to perform meaningful service in the Edmond and Oklahoma City communities.  The Edmond and Oklahoma City communities.  The Center will act as a partner and resource for Center will act as a partner and resource for students, faculty and community members in students, faculty and community members in developing and implementing volunteer and developing and implementing volunteer and service learning projects.   These efforts will service learning projects.   These efforts will promote civic engagement by instilling a promote civic engagement by instilling a commitment to public life through communities of commitment to public life through communities of practice.practice.

Student Affairs MissionStudent Affairs Mission

The Division of Student Affairs will The Division of Student Affairs will provide a challenging and supportive provide a challenging and supportive community for students by fostering community for students by fostering their understanding of self, their understanding of self, appreciation of diversity and appreciation of diversity and commitment to servicecommitment to service. These . These goals are achieved by providing goals are achieved by providing progressive and inclusive progressive and inclusive programs programs andand services that enhance services that enhance student learning and well being.student learning and well being.

Academic Affairs ValuesAcademic Affairs Values IntegrityIntegrity

We earn trust through honesty and ethical leadership.We earn trust through honesty and ethical leadership. Student CenteredStudent Centered

We offer an integrated, relevant educational experience.We offer an integrated, relevant educational experience. Academic ExcellenceAcademic Excellence

We foster critical thinking, communication, and a passion We foster critical thinking, communication, and a passion for life-long learning.for life-long learning.

Continuous ImprovementContinuous ImprovementWe achieve excellence through decisionsWe achieve excellence through decisionsbased on information and analysis.based on information and analysis.

CollegialityCollegialityWe uphold an atmosphere of mutual respect,We uphold an atmosphere of mutual respect,professional behavior and academic freedom.professional behavior and academic freedom.

CommunityCommunityWe cultivate community involvement and civic We cultivate community involvement and civic engagement.engagement.

IntegrityIntegrityWe earn trust through honesty and ethical leadership.We earn trust through honesty and ethical leadership.

Student CenteredStudent CenteredWe offer an integrated, relevant educational experience.We offer an integrated, relevant educational experience.

Academic ExcellenceAcademic ExcellenceWe foster critical thinking, communication, and a passion We foster critical thinking, communication, and a passion for life-long learning.for life-long learning.

Continuous ImprovementContinuous ImprovementWe achieve excellence through decisionsWe achieve excellence through decisionsbased on information and analysis.based on information and analysis.

CollegialityCollegialityWe uphold an atmosphere of mutual respect,We uphold an atmosphere of mutual respect,professional behavior and academic freedom.professional behavior and academic freedom.

CommunityCommunityWe cultivate community involvement and civic We cultivate community involvement and civic engagement.engagement.

UCO Long Term GoalsUCO Long Term Goals

1)1) Engage all students in:Engage all students in:a)a) Leadership,Leadership,b)b) Research and creative activities, andResearch and creative activities, andc)c) SERVICE LEARNING ACTIVITIES.SERVICE LEARNING ACTIVITIES.

1)1) Engage all students in:Engage all students in:a)a) Leadership,Leadership,b)b) Research and creative activities, andResearch and creative activities, andc)c) SERVICE LEARNING ACTIVITIES.SERVICE LEARNING ACTIVITIES.

3) Increase collaborations:3) Increase collaborations:a)a) on the UCO campus,on the UCO campus,b)b) among institutions, andamong institutions, andc)c) WITH THE OUTSIDE COMMUNITYWITH THE OUTSIDE COMMUNITY

3) Increase collaborations:3) Increase collaborations:a)a) on the UCO campus,on the UCO campus,b)b) among institutions, andamong institutions, andc)c) WITH THE OUTSIDE COMMUNITYWITH THE OUTSIDE COMMUNITY

$$$ Talks$$$ Talks

Scholarship incentives for studentsScholarship incentives for students Release time for facultyRelease time for faculty Departmental grantsDepartmental grants

Hard funding critical for sustainabilityHard funding critical for sustainability

Not Reinventing the WheelNot Reinventing the Wheel

Identify existing SL, or versions of itIdentify existing SL, or versions of it Understand existing culture of Understand existing culture of

service service Establish measurable goals, clear Establish measurable goals, clear

vision for futurevision for future Best practices at Best practices at peer institutionspeer institutions Resource groups: Campus Compact, Resource groups: Campus Compact,

National SL Clearinghouse, listservsNational SL Clearinghouse, listservs

QuestionsQuestions

Josh KrawczykJosh Krawczyk

Director, VSLCDirector, VSLC

University of Central OklahomaUniversity of Central Oklahoma

(405)974-2622(405)974-2622

JKrawczyk@ucok.eduJKrawczyk@ucok.edu

www.ucok.edu/volunteerwww.ucok.edu/volunteer