As we begin another academic year, we want to thank you for your tireless work in supporting our community through the many challenges we have faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While undeniably difficult, the "new normal" we have been existing in over the past 18 months has brought rewarding opportunities for collaboration through virtual service and advocacy, innovative partnerships between campus and community, and more. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with you as the University of Kansas moves closer to supporting a more fully in-person campus experience for our students.

As you know, the University of Kansas has a reinstated a mask mandate for indoor spaces on campus, and is encouraging mask usage in crowded outdoor spaces as well. For more information about masks, testing, and vaccines at KU, visit the Protect KU website. We strongly recommend that these policies also be supported when representing KU off-campus, including with community partners.

The Center for Service Learning staff will be working in a hybrid capacity this fall, with some team members in the office each day to be available to students. We can still be reached during normal "office hours" by email, phone, and web chat.

We hope that the information we share in this communication is helpful in considering how you might connect with students, fellow faculty/staff, and other members of the KU community this year. As always, do not hesitate to reach out to us for support.

In Service,

Center for Service Learning
Strong Hall, Room 150
1450 Jayhawk Boulevard
University of Kansas

csl.ku.edu | csl@ku.edu | 785-864-0960

Welcome Back, Dr. Emily Eddins Rountree!
Please join us in welcoming back our Associate Director, who will return from parental leave next week.

Emily is excited to continue engaging with faculty and community partners to support service and community-engaged initiatives across campus!

with questions about community partnerships, service learning
courses, and more!
Upcoming Event: 2021 Volunteer Fair
Attend the *in person* 2021 Volunteer Fair on Thursday, September 2nd from 2PM-5PM! This event kicks off the school year by bringing KU students together with some amazing local organizations.

The Volunteer Fair is a great chance for you and your students to explore a variety of volunteer positions, visit with organizations about their needs, and start making some long-term service partnerships.

Check out the most up-to-date list of attending organizations by visiting Career Fair Plus.
Certificate in Service Learning
The Certificate in Service Learning recognizes undergraduate students' experiences in utilizing classroom skills to meet community-identified needs.
Earning the certificate involves taking classes, engaging in volunteer work, and reflection activities.

Once a student has earned the certificate, it is acknowledged on their official academic transcript.

Learn more about the Certificate in Service Learning.
Service Learning Course Designation
If your courses incorporate volunteer or service components, it may qualify for our Service Learning Course Designation! Designated courses count towards the service learning course requirement for the Certificate in Service Learning.

Submit your course for Service Learning Designation.
Helpful Resource: Service Project Agreement
Many community organizations utilize volunteer agreements to ensure that volunteers and the organization have a common understanding of their responsibilities to one another.

In an effort to support this process on campus, we have created a service project agreement that can be used in service learning courses, co-curricular service opportunities, and more.

Once completed, students can download a PDF copy of the form to be kept for their own records as well as yours.
Upcoming Conferences: ESC + IARSLCE
The Engaged Scholarship Consortium 2021 Conference will take place from September 13-15. The deadline to register for this virtual meeting is September 3. Topics of this conference include:

  • Assessment of Engagement
  • Methods for Engagement
  • Collaborative Engagement
  • Technologies of Engagement
  • Leadership and Engagement
  • NEW: Engagement in a Time of Crisis
  • NEW: Engagement for Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism
The IARSLCE 2021 Virtual Gathering will take place from November 15-17. The goals of this gathering include:

  • Provide a forum for scholar-practitioners to present and get feedback about their current SLCE research
  • Build individual and collective capacity to enact engaged scholarship that responds to pressing and enduring issues around the world and supports ongoing movements for equity, justice, and sustainability
Anyone interested in attending
these virtual conferences may contact the CSL to learn how to obtain free or discounted registration rates.
Student Presentation Opportunity: Kansas Service +Civic Engagement Conference
The Kansas Service and Civic Engagement Conference will be held online on November 3 and 4. This conference is a great opportunity for students to share service projects and initiatives with the broader Kansas community while learning from other students across the state.

Check out deadlines and presentation guidance for the Kansas Service and Civic Engagement Conference.
CSL Ambassador Program
The CSL Ambassador Program connects faculty, staff, students, and community partners who are interested in promoting service-learning, and civic and community engagement.

Ambassadors serve as liaisons to their department, unit, organization, and network to champion the integration of community and civic engagement.

Learn more about how you
can represent your office or department through the CSL Ambassadors Program.
Check Out Our New Website!
This spring, the Center for Service Learning completely overhauled our website to create a shiny new csl.ku.edu.

Links you may have bookmarked or shared on your webpages in the past have likely changed, so be sure to peruse our new site to make sure the information you have from the CSL is up to date!
Upcoming Events + Activities
September 2, 2-5pm: 2021 Volunteer Fair
University Career Center | Check Out the Organizations Attending

September 13-15: ESC 2021 Conference
Engaged Scholarship Consortium | Contact the CSL for free/discounted registration rate information *Registration Deadline: 9/3

November 3-4: Kansas Service and Civic Engagement Conference
Johnson County Community College | Learn More About Student Presentation Proposals

November 15-17: IARSLCE 2021 Virtual Gathering
International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement | Contact the CSL for free/discounted registration rate information

Center for Service Learning
The University of Kansas
Strong Hall, Room 150
1450 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66046

csl.ku.edu | csl@.ku.edu | 785-864-0960
Through community and campus partnerships, the Center for Service Learning advances service-learning, community-engaged scholarship, and civic engagement that fosters a commitment to participation for a diverse, just, and global society.