Why Should Students Get Involved?

You and your fellow students are finding out that completing traditional college course work is just not enough to ensure transfer to the college or university of your choice – or to be guaranteed scholarship money.

When you participate in service-learning you will:

• build transferable skills;
• explore your community;
• understand your course work in a hands-on environment;
• become engaged in your community and your college;
• build leadership skills;
• develop communication and teaching skills;
• make contacts in the community;
• explore career opportunities or possible majors; and
• have vital skills and experience to describe on your financial aid/scholarship applications.

To learn more about how you and your community benefit from service-learning, take a look at the Dallas County Community College District's service-learning newsletter and visit the student section of Campus Compact at www.compact.org.

Your rights and responsibilities as a volunteer:

• Give a minimum of 15 hours of volunteer service during the semester at a placement site listed in the service-learning newspaper. If your instructor or placement site has a different minimum you must complete their requirement for credit.
• Follow through with the volunteer schedule to which you commit. People will be counting on you and it is extremely important that you take your commitment seriously. If for any reason you are unable to complete your commitment, you must notify your site supervisor, instructor and campus service-learning coordinator as soon as possible.
• Contact your service-learning coordinator if you experience any problems or difficulties with your site. Most problems can be easily resolved, but they must be communicated for someone to take action.
• Be an active volunteer, and when appropriate, ask for permission to add to your responsibilities and projects.

Your next step!