Working with Students

Working with our students can be very rewarding. Our students are always learning and the service-learning experiences allow them to learn by doing, as well as, developing an understanding of community-based work and social responsibility.

You can help them be successful in their service-learning/volunteer placements by:

• Orienting students to the organization’s mission, goals, and structure.
• Provide an orientation that includes: site tour; staff introduction; description of risks/safety/emergency procedures associated with Site’s operations and/or clients; information on logging time/sign-in-out.
• Provide tasks that are significant and/or relevant.
• Provide students with written descriptions of tasks and responsibilities and appropriate training, materials, and work areas.
• Ensure a safe work environment and reasonable hours for students to perform service.
• Meet with the student regularly to provide support, review progress on assigned tasks, verify service hours and give feedback.
• Know who the faculty are and what courses the students are in.
• Contact the ICCE if the student fails to perform assigned tasks or engages in misconduct.
• Notify the ICCE as soon as is reasonably possible of any injury or illness to a student.

Please see the organization Orientation Orientation Checklist tab below for a more detailed list and ideas.

Providing Service-Learning Students with an Orientation

Service-learning students need an orientation including:

• An introduction to the organization, its Mission Statement as well as a historical background.
• A tour of the organization (ie. the physical layout)
• An explanation of the program (goals and objectives).
• A description of the client base, including numbers of clients served, socio-economic and other demographic data, and political subdivisions served.
• Community issues the program addresses and why there is a need for the service.
• A discussion of the students’ role, including specific tasks and specific benefits to the organization, specific importance to the population serviced, and to the community in general.
• Any specific policies and procedures.
• Will a background check be needed and how is this completed?
• An introduction to the staff. Although persons who will be supervising the students should attend, it is important the students be introduced to all organization personnel with whom contact will be made.
• Exchange contact information and discuss the best way to communicate with the organization and project supervisor.
• Discuss the amount of supervision the students should expect. Will they see the supervisor daily? Will they be expected to do an amount of work on their own?
• A handbook or other written materials should be distributed to the service learner during the orientation.
• Review confidentiality policies. Are pictures or videos allowed?
• Establishment of a start date for students to begin their service hours.
• Where do students park when at the organization? Is there a cost associated with parking? Emphasize the student’s responsibility in getting to and from the service site.
• Discuss risk and safety guidelines.  Training students in safety procedures, potential dangers, and the risk management policies of your organization.
• Explain what students should do if harassment occurs. Whom do they contact?
• Review accident procedures at the site and what to do if a student or client is hurt.
• If appropriate tell the students about yourself and how/why you work with the organization.  Share some of your positive experiences to engage the students and make a personal connection with each of them.

Adapted from Boise State Service-Learning.