Dr. Norm Page
Service Learning Liaison
College of Communications

Approximately 500 CSUF students will be involved in service learning this coming year. But, what is service learning? Service learning occurs when students, in connection with a course, become involved at community-based service sites where to help others while gaining insights about their subject matter. Students are expected to make connections between their classroom material and their service activities. Further, they are asked to reflect on their experiences and articulate insights gained about civic responsibility. Students in the College of Communications have performed service learning at the following places:

· The Boys & Girls Club
· Wilene's Children of the Village
· Youth and Family Resource Center
· Girls Incorporated
· Blind Children's Learning Center
· Salvation Army/Meals on Wheels
· Adopt-A-Beach
· America Reads & Counts

CSUF also facilitates community service apart from course work. Interested students may
contact the Volunteer and Service Center (TSU Room 2, lower level near Garden Café), at 278-7623.

As a professor, I have incorporated service learning in two courses (SPCH 324, Communication in Groups & Teams and SPCH 325 Interviewing: Principles & Practice). In Groups & Teams, each student is expected do his/her service as a member of a team at the community site. He/she then writes a short reflection paper that accounts for the team's experiences and how they illuminated classroom principles. Also, I ask students to evaluate their experiences. The following comments are typical of those extracted from Fall 2000 Groups & Teams class.

· "My service-learning involvement at the Boys and Girls Club in Fullerton showed me that children communicate and collaborate effectively during their involvement with groups and teams . . .Volunteering my time to service learning was a positive experience, and the knowledge I gained from my involvement will never leave me." [Dell Bender, Speech Communication]

· "This project helped me learn a lot about how rewarding volunteer work can be. I think that people tend to overlook what they might receive through volunteering . . . people become so accustomed to participating in activities they think will make them happy that they might pass over something that is very special . . . work like this makes the holidays seem a little bit more special and I plan to continue volunteering my time during the holiday season." [Emilio Arriola, Communications (Advertising)]

· "More teachers should require students to do service projects. The rewards one can gain by
volunteering his/her time are amazing." [Katie Marsalek, Speech Communication]

· "Today, I am choosing to remain working as a tutor for America Reads & Counts, and I'm even getting paid for it! My own learning and dissection of group processes have provided me with insights and abilities that I will continue to apply as a tutor. My overall experience as a tutor for America Reads has added positive things to my life, and my desire to impact the life of a child will persist." [Diane Hellmer, Communications (Journalism)]

· "I plan on continuing my participation in the Boys and Girls Club, not so much for my benefit, but for the benefit of those who are in need. I realize that great steps are achieved by first making the little ones. I am making a small step by doing my small part in the community." [Angela Ramirez, Psychology]

· "The bottom line is that via real-life experience, I got a better sense of class material." [Ryan Ross, Speech Communication]

Nearly 40 years ago, President John F. Kennedy urged us to think and act beyond ourselves for the benefit of others when he said,

"You live in the most privileged nation on earth. You are the most privileged citizens of that privileged nation; for you have been given the opportunity to study and learn . . .. You can use your enormous privilege and opportunity to seek purely pleasure and gain. But history will judge you, and as the years pass, you will ultimately judge yourself on the extent to which you have used your gifts to enlighten and enrich the lives of your fellow man. In your hands, not with the president's or leaders', is the future of your world and the fulfillment of the best qualities of your own spirit." [John F. Kennedy]

If you are inspired to become involved in service learning, seek out courses with a service-learning component. You might even encourage a professor to consider instituting a service-learning assignment in a course you plan to take.