Service Programs

Overview 

Since its inception in 2019, the purpose of the Center for Service Learning and Volunteerism (CSLV) has been to serve as a liaison between students, faculty, staff, and community agencies. We offer support, resources, and placement opportunities to enable students to experience a culture of learning in a real-world setting, in addition to their university classrooms. During these learning experiences, there is a focus on civic engagement and social responsibility. The Center for Service Learning and Volunteerism offers a variety of community service opportunities programs designed to complement students’ academic experiences.

Definitions

Community service is an unpaid, voluntary act performed by a student or group of students with an approved nonprofit agency that benefits the local community. The University of Memphis puts special emphasis on the relational aspect of community service, and therefore asks students to partner with nonprofit organizations. 

Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. 
For the University of Memphis, service learning is a form of experiential education where students engage in activities with community partners that address human and community needs through structured opportunities intentionally designed to promote student learning and development. Reflection and reciprocity are key concepts of service-learning.

Philanthropy involves raising money through an activity or fundraising that supports a charitable cause. Raising money for a cause can be logged through Money/Goods, but will not count towards service hours. 

Guidelines for Acceptable Hours

Students are encouraged to make a more substantial commitment to at least one organization rather than a series of one-time events. Examples of these commitments include tutoring at an elementary or high school, facilitating a reading group at a library, volunteering at a botanical garden, leading activities for elderly residents at a nursing home or hospital, and serving meals at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.

Hours must be turned in within 14 business days after completion and must include a review/reflection to receive credit. This alleviates stress on non-profit and University staff to properly vet and verify hours especially at high-volume times (beginning and end of semesters). 

 
Please note that the decision to count or not count an opportunity for service hours ultimately rests with the Center for Service Learning and Volunteerism. If you have questions about if an opportunity will count as service, please contact us at service@memphis.edu or 901.678.5575. 

Service Medallions

Throughout their time at the University of Memphis, students who complete 150+ approved and verified hours through the Center for Service Learning and Volunteerism can receive a service medallion to wear at graduation.

Find community service opportunities on Volunteer Odyssey at serve.volunteerodyssey.com/