Academic Service-Learning at St. John’s University

1. Academic Service-Learning at St. John’s University Office of Academic Service-Learning Vincentian Institute for Social Action (VISA)

2. Academic Service-Learning at St. John’s Is: Academic Service-Learning at St. John’s University is a classroom/experiential site- based program that involves students in some form of required community service activity and uses that activity as a means of understanding course concepts. Areas of Service: • Hunger/Homelessness • Healthcare • Education/Youth Services • Civic Engagement

3. St. John’s Mission • St. John’s University is Catholic, Vincentian and Metropolitan • St. Vincent de Paul • The Vincentian Institute for Social Action (VISA)

4. Reflection Reflection is the key to making the connection between service and learning As you participate in AS-L, pay attention to: • The concrete experience • What did you do when you served? • The affective experience • How did serving make you feel? • The relationship between service and course content and concepts • How has serving reinforced what you learned in the classroom? Modes of reflection include: • Group discussions • Journals • Papers/presentations • Electronic forums/portfolios/blogs

5. How You Can Benefit from Academic Service-Learning • Academic / Learning Development • Gain critical thinking skills • Engagement in the learning process • Improves ability to apply what you learned in the “real world” • Personal Development • Sense of achievement • Spiritual growth and moral development • Social Development • Foster a sense of civic responsibility • Long term commitment to service • Career Development • Resume builder • Career opportunities “Introduction to Service-Learning Toolkit.” Campus Compact Second Edition, (2003): 15 -19.

6. Steps to Getting Started • Find out the AS-L requirements for your course Refer to your syllabus or ask your professor for guidelines about the type of service activity and number of service hours required for your course. Sample Syllabus Information:

7. Steps to Getting Started 2. Decide on a site or project Check your course page on St. John’s Central or review the packet distributed by your professor for the community agencies that have been reserved for your class and choose the agency where you would like to complete your service.

8. Steps to Getting Started 3. Contact the community site Call the site supervisor and introduce yourself as a St. John’s University student. Explain that you are using Academic Service-Learning in your course. Ask if you can assist with programs at the service site and set up a time to begin your service at the site.

9. Using the Student Service Reporting System in UIS **Students must schedule their first day of service before starting this process. 1. Log into UIS 2. Click on the Student tab 3. Click on Service Reporting from the student main menu 4. Click on Individual Service Entry 5.Select the courses and student organizations where the service hours will be recorded and applied.

10. Using the Student Service Reporting System in UIS 6. Use the drop down menu to select the site and fill in all information requested about the site. • If your site is not listed, please email STJservice@stjohns.edu to add it to the list. • If you do not have the email address of your site supervisor, please enter ASL@stjohns.edu. 7. Enter the first date of anticipated service and an estimated number of hours that you will serve at the site and click submit. Review the entered information and click submit again *For additional information on how to enter your hours, please visit www.stjohns.edu/asl to view the complete manual.

11. Using the Student Service Tracking System in UIS • Please return to the main menu to print your Academic Service- Learning timelog. Then, click on Academic Service-Learning Log Sheet and print the form. • Students should bring the log sheet to the service site each time they • serve to have it signed by the site supervisor • Once they have completed their service, they will need to go back • into the UIS system to enter the additional dates of service and click • submit • The students should then hand in their signed time log forms to • their professor’s in class

12. The Academic Service Learning Time Log Form

13. Tips for Successful Academic Service-Learning • Team up: Go with a classmate • Don’t wait until the last minute to contact the site to begin. Please be patient! It may take a few days for the site supervisor to return your phone call or email • Be prepared: Bring agency phone number and directions with you and always be aware of your surroundings when traveling to and from the site • Record all service hours. Do not falsify any signature or number of hours on the Service Log Sheet. From the STJ Student Code of Conduct: “Forgery/Fraud: Forgery, alteration or misuse of University documents, records or identification is prohibited.” • Take notes: Be observant and bring a journal with you to jot down your thoughts, ideas, and what you did while you served • If you have more than one course with an AS-L component, speak with your professor or contact the Office of AS-L • Be professional. Treat Academic Service-Learning as a job. Call the site supervisor if you are running late, sick or unable to go to the site when you are scheduled to serve

14. How to Contact Us If you have questions, speak to your professor, or contact us: Office of Academic Service-Learning Vincentian Institute for Social Action (VISA) Lourdes Hall (718) 990-8331 asl@stjohns.edu