Connecting the Community with the University: Tips for Partnering with UVM through the Office of Community-University Partnerships and Service-Learning

Community Partner Guide To Service-Learning

Have you or your organization ever wanted to collaborate with the University of Vermont on a project but had difficulty getting started? An important place to begin is the Office of Community-University Partnerships and Service-Learning (CUPS).

Our office exists to foster meaningful partnerships between UVM and community organizations that address real community needs with an emphasis on academic coursework and research projects. We help community organizations and university affiliates find each other and work together to achieve complementary goals-- students and faculty want to gain or apply practical knowledge, while community organizations want to accomplish projects or find information that furthers their mission. Students engage in community service activities that are integrated into their coursework with the goal of equally benefiting community partners -- a process called "Service-Learning." For example, students in a landscape mapping class can apply their skills by working with a local land trust to create a map of their trails.

However, A successful service-learning project doesn't happen on its own; it takes conscious effort by all parties. Listed here are a few steps that will help make your partnership with UVM a success.

Proposing a Project Decide on a project. Choose improtant projects with a flexible timeline. Be patient. Getting Started Schedule a project meeting. Tailor the project to the students' skills and interests. Specify a timeframe. Create a 'Memorandum of Understanding.' Participating in the Process Stay involved. Help students learn. Evaluate the partnership. Building a Longer-Term Partnership

RSENR senior Roger Masse led a series of birdwalks for several northwestern Vermont towns as part of his senior Service-Learning project in Spring 2007.

Last modified March 09 2011 04:14 PM