What Is Community Service?

Community Service is defined as “services which are defined by an institution of higher education, through formal or informal consultation with local nonprofit, governmental, and community-based organizations, designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to solve particular problems related to their needs.”

Community service fosters civic responsibility for the benefit of the community or college community. Service is performed to meet a need: social, physical, educational or environmental. Community service is not performed for a financial reward. This is unpaid service that benefits the recipients of a non-profit agency or organization and not a family member.

These services may be provided directly or indirectly through a student-initiated project sponsored by the non-profit or government agency

-Taken from the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, and the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1993

Why Is Community Service Encouraged?

MUW has been in this community since 1884, we are a community resource. Community service improves civic and social attitudes. Community Service will promote positive views of the college and the students while meeting real community needs. Community Service can be described as building a bridge between the college and the community for greater communication and understanding. The University’s best resources are the students who with varied knowledge and skills can give to the community and in return learn new skills. This is a win-win exchange.

How Can I Sign-Up For Community Service?

Procedure

• Call or visit the Community Service Office
• Ask about the collaborating service agencies
• Decide which agency/group you would most like to volunteer your time
• The coordinator will contact the agency on your behalf and set-up an appointment
• You must know your schedule and complete an information form
• Review the Calendar of Community Events if you cannot commit to a regular weekly volunteer schedule
• Sign-up for the community event of your choice (Record keeping)
• Be on time for the event
• Always sign-in and sign-out at the time of the event