Spring Break
Service Learning proposal completed
New list of specific guidelines included to end religion debate
Brian Reisinger
Issue date: 4/7/05 Section: Campus News
The Service Learning Ad-Hoc Committee Friday approved its recommendation to University Senate, completing a proposal that includes a new mission statement, a chart of goals and objectives and a list of specific guidelines for service-learning projects.
After more than two months of deliberation, the committee came to what member Tom Hilton said is a compromise that "reflects the spirit of a university or academic community such as our own."
Additions proposed by the committee include the prohibition of partisan political activity, similar to the ban on religious proselytization, as well as a statement on non-discrimination.
Committee member and former Student Senate President Chad Wade said the approval of the recommendation by University Senate would not necessarily mean dramatic change to the Service Learning Program.
"I don't know that there are a lot of changes in the way that Service Learning (would be) implemented," Wade said. "It (would be) providing much more structure to the director when he is making decisions."
The proposal does not prohibit all activities related to politics or religion - it defines in greater detail what sort of activities are and are not acceptable.
According to guidelines suggested to University Senate by the committee, political activity that consists of "partisan advocacy, member recruitment, lobbying, or electioneering," would not be accepted for service-learning projects.
The stipulations are similar to those concerning religious activities. Any activity that involves "promoting religious doctrine, proselyting, or worship," cannot be counted for service-learning hours, according to the proposed guidelines.
The committee's approach serves two basic purposes of Service Learning - assuring that students are learning while also promoting the common good, said Donald Mowry, committee chair and director of Service Learning.
"What do you learn if you're out there, and you're already convinced that you are right?" Mowry asked.
After more than two months of deliberation, the committee came to what member Tom Hilton said is a compromise that "reflects the spirit of a university or academic community such as our own."
Additions proposed by the committee include the prohibition of partisan political activity, similar to the ban on religious proselytization, as well as a statement on non-discrimination.
Committee member and former Student Senate President Chad Wade said the approval of the recommendation by University Senate would not necessarily mean dramatic change to the Service Learning Program.
"I don't know that there are a lot of changes in the way that Service Learning (would be) implemented," Wade said. "It (would be) providing much more structure to the director when he is making decisions."
The proposal does not prohibit all activities related to politics or religion - it defines in greater detail what sort of activities are and are not acceptable.
According to guidelines suggested to University Senate by the committee, political activity that consists of "partisan advocacy, member recruitment, lobbying, or electioneering," would not be accepted for service-learning projects.
The stipulations are similar to those concerning religious activities. Any activity that involves "promoting religious doctrine, proselyting, or worship," cannot be counted for service-learning hours, according to the proposed guidelines.
The committee's approach serves two basic purposes of Service Learning - assuring that students are learning while also promoting the common good, said Donald Mowry, committee chair and director of Service Learning.
"What do you learn if you're out there, and you're already convinced that you are right?" Mowry asked.
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