Strategies and challenges to institutionalising service-learning at a South African university

1. Strategies and challenges to institutionalising service-learning at a South African university Magda Fourie University of the Free State SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

2. Overview • Institutional review /audit of community engagement activities • Institutional policies and planning • Resource allocation • Institutional structures • Institutional support and development • Institutional practices • Partnerships and networks SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

3. Three core functions of the university: • Teaching • Research • Community engagement SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

4. Boyer A false contra-positioning or tension between the concepts of academic work (teaching and research) and community service – scholarship of engagement SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

5. Being responsive and responsible In a developing society many institutions need to broaden their scope and sharpen their focus in order to contribute to the development of a society. This demands a particular orientation and focus and commitment of our core business; a commitment to make a contribution towards a solution for the most pressing problems of that society. But always on the basis of the scientific knowledge and scholarship of a university. SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

6. Mainstreaming community engagement The most important service that a university can render to society and communities, is to be a really good university, a place of scholarship, of the pursuit of science, of generating and transferring knowledge. Community service can, and should be, an integral part of these functions of a university. SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

7. Mission of community engagement To foster an integrated, holistic, interdisciplinary and intersectoral approach to the generation, transfer and application of knowledge (teaching + research + service) SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

8. Strategy 1 • Review or audit of all current community engagement activities (volunteer programmes, service-learning programmes, service projects, internships, etc.) • Assessment of strengths and weaknesses • Make difficult choices SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

9. Two categories of community engagement • CS projects and programmes that are integrated in curricula of academic programmes, and linked to research: practicals, internships, learnerships, workplace learning, elective and foundational modules, problem-solving and developmental research • Extra-curricular community involvement: volunteerism, consultation, short courses, contract research, development projects SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

10. Integrated service-learning programmes imply: • the joint and mutual acquisition of abilities (knowledge, skills and attitudes/dispositions) • by all members of the community engagement partnership (students, lecturers, community, service sector) • in teaching, learning and research programmes • aimed at a better understanding, handling and resolution of community needs and challenges • through available expertise, resources and infrastructure SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

11. Service-learning Course-based, credit-bearing educational experiences in which students learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organised service experiences that meet actual community needs, that are integrated into the students’ academic curriculum and provide structured time for reflection in order to gain further understanding of course content, academic disciplines and civic responsibility. SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

12. Strategy 2: Institutional policies and planning • Does the institution have a clear commitment to CE and/or SL in its vision/mission statement? • Does top management visibly and actively encourage and support CE/SL? • Does service-learning form part of academic planning at the institution? • Does the institution have a clear and well-communicated policy for CE/SL? SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

13. Strategy 3:Resource allocation • Does the institution commit itself to allocating earmarked funds and other resources for service-learning initiatives? • Does the institution have explicit criteria and procedures to approve and allocate funds to service-learning initiatives? SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

14. Strategy 4: Institutional structures • Are there institution-wide structures that take responsibility for the policy development and planning for CE and SL? • Does the institution have a dedicated CE/SL office? • Are there institutional structures that manage the implementation of SL? SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

15. Strategy 5: Institutional support and development • What support and development are available for the design, development and implementation of SL? • What training opportunities are available for staff in the field of SL? (Formal and non-formal) SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

16. Strategy 6: Institutional practices • Are SL activities part of academic programme review? • Do SL feature in performance management systems? • Are CE/SL activities regularly communicated across the institution? SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

17. Strategy 7: Partnerships and networks • Are clear policy guidelines for partnerships in CE/SL in place? • Are facilitating and support mechanisms for establishing partnerships and networks in place? • Are both internal and external networks encouraged and supported? SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

18. The Partnership Model SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

19. Community service flagships • Urban: Mangaung University Community Partnership Programme (MUCPP) • Etsa Phapang Training Centre • Boyden Observatory • Rural: Free State Rural Development Partnership Programme (FSRDPP) • Qwaqwa SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

20. Etsa Phapang Training Centre SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

21. SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

24. Challenges • Paradigm shift • Advocacy • Communication • Programme quality • Research activities SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005

25. Thank you! SU/IU Service-Learning Symposium Nov 2005