From Grass Roots to Mountain Tops

From Grass Roots to Mountain Tops…. . . Initiating and Expanding a Service-Learning Program Boise State University Maureen Sigler & Kara Hartmann

Background Maureen… n n n Kara… Planted the seed that took root! Advising and administrative responsibilities for program 1991 -1999 22 years in student activities NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 2 n n n Pulled together the resources and tools to climb to the mountain tops! S-L Coordinator 2000 - present University of Utah S-L Staff Member 4 years Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Session Objectives n n n To focus on goals, risks, budget & resources, infrastructure, political strategies, lessons learned To focus on the components of the timeline that most meet your needs To provide tangible information and resources n n Curriculum proposal Faculty development ideas Budgets Reference sources NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 3 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Inspiration & Preparation Goals n To build a case for service programs n To understand the costs involved in establishing service programs n To provide additional growth opportunities for students beyond the classroom NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 4 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Inspiration & Preparation Risks n Low risks n n Personal reputation with 4 -5 colleagues Extra time involved to gather information Extra time to learn about Service-Learning Philosophical tie to student involvement n n Individual as well as group-oriented Liability issues NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 5 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Inspiration & Preparation Budget & Resources n None! That was the point! n n (that was the motivation too!) Multiple attempts to add a staff person to Student Activities budget NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 6 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Inspiration & Preparation Infrastructure (staff & office) n Existing Student Activities Staff n n 2 professional staff & 1 clerical support 2 -3 student employees Enrollment estimate 13, 000 No designated office space for service programs on campus NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 7 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Inspiration & Preparation Political Strategies n Researched peer institutions service programs structure n n n Did telephone interviews with specific questions Requested & received job descriptions, budgets, charters, promotional materials, partner contracts, and much more UW-Stevens Point “Green Dean” U of Utah Bennion Center with $$$ Weber State U. student organization w/commissions Idaho State with 1 staff person & classes NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 8 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Inspiration & Preparation Lessons Learned n Understanding of Service-Learning n About as many structures used as there are campuses with service programs! n Job descriptions were VERY helpful in understanding the role of S-L and competitive salary NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 9 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Opportunity “Luck = Preparation + Opportunity” Oprah Goals n Encourage & support ASBSU’s president’s interest n Participate in brainstorming meetings n Synthesize what was expressed in beginning planning meetings NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 10 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Opportunity Risks n n n First planning group might implode Potentially no follow up after the meetings Planning meetings were late in the school year ASBSU President’s term was almost over Personally, if I become involved, I may be expected to take on further responsibilities without any additional staff. NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 11 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Opportunity Budget & Resources n ASBSU President paid for 2 students to attend COOL conference from her existing budget NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 12 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Opportunity Infrastructure (staff & office) n No office n S-L responsibilities not included in any staff person’s job description n Staff person’s involvement was voluntary NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 13 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Opportunity Political Strategies n n Let the ASBSU and students take ownership of the service programs Modeled VSB organization structure after programs board Challenge and support individual group members outside of meetings Brief the new ASBSU President & seek additional ASBSU support NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 14 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Opportunity Lessons Learned n Can’t design an organization and write a charter by committee! n Inspired students can ‘climb mountains’ NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 15 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Momentum Goals n Gain visibility for service programs n Seek funding for staff and programs n Build upon past successes – do more than the year before n Record & monitor participation progress n Incorporate research, further develop advisory board NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 16 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Momentum Risks n Need to produce quality programs and promotion n New University President n Knowing that we want a S-L program but not having the S-L expertise NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 17 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Momentum Budget & Resources n $11, 000 budget n In kind services provided by ASBSU and Student Union n n Graphic Artists, space, computers Accounting support, service-award for Director Gained a graduate assistant position dedicated to service programs University president joined Campus Compact NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 18 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Momentum Infrastructure (staff & office) n Office space provided in Student Union n Graduate assistant for service programs n Associate Director of Student Activities still facilitating advisory board NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 19 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Momentum Political Strategies n n n Report frequently to ASBSU Brief new University President early in his tenure Involve one faculty member from each academic college on advisory board Pursue a grant with other Idaho universities Utilize the S-L List. Serv NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 20 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Momentum Lessons Learned n NASPA national conference provided insight in establishing S-L program n Secure funding from University required for matching grants n University is ripe for S-L program NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 21 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Expansion & Conception Goals n n Submit an outstanding request for a dedicated fee Establish a full-time S-L Coordinator position Hire, train and incorporate new S-L Coordinator in existing University structure Strategically develop steps for initiating S-L and the 4 th Credit Option NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 22 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Expansion & Conception Risks n The months invested in developing fee proposal may not pay off n Person hired for S-L program could make or break the program NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 23 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Expansion & Conception Budget & Resources n $14, 000 from ASBSU, Union, President n Still receiving in kind support from ASBSU and Student Union NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 24 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Expansion & Conception Infrastructure (staff & office) n One graduate assistant n Two offices for service programs NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 25 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Expansion & Conception Political Strategies n n n Strategically lobby multiple entities to support fee proposal Alert key people early on of intent to submit fee proposal Keep students in the forefront of the fee proposal Closely relate proposal to University mission and strategic plan Orchestrate the testimony at fee hearing NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 26 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Expansion & Conception Lessons Learned n n It pays to invest time planning More knowledge about S-L would have helped in proposed budget Focus on the programs and services needed rather than the staff needed It is not easy getting a new position approved and established at a state university NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 27 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

S-L Program Born Goals n n n Train new S-L coordinator Incorporate her into existing University structure Develop very specific plan for establishing S-L and 4 th credit option Closely monitor progress on strategic plan Make S-L extremely visible on campus NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 28 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

S-L Program Born Risks n n n Program may grow faster than manageable Challenge getting faculty buy-in S-L program understaffed S-L program part of student activities Tempting to provide multiple S-L options beyond 4 th credit option Philosophy and procedures need academic credibility NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 29 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

S-L Program Born Budget & Resources n $70, 000 split between VSB & SL programs n In kind services from ASBSU & Student Union still provided NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 30 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

S-L Program Born Infrastructure (staff & office) n Full time SL coordinator advises VSB & develops SL program n One graduate assistant n One work-study office assistant n Three total offices n Computers and other equipment purchased NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 31 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

S-L Program Born Political Strategies n n n Met with each academic college dean Professional promotional campaign implemented First faculty partners selected need credibility with peer faculty Conduct faculty in-service workshops SL Coordinator a facilitator at President’s retreat NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 32 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

S-L Program Born Lessons Learned n n n SL confused with internships 4 th Credit Option interpreted literally Assessment important at each stage Support of University President beneficial Detail implementation plan keeps program development on track Combination of action-oriented SL coordinator and methodical supervisor beneficial NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 33 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Institutionalization Goals n Approval of curriculum proposal with faculty senate & State Board of Ed n Increase faculty and student participation in S-L Credit Option n Define fee split between SL and VSB n Organize 1 st Alternative Spring Break NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 34 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Institutionalization Risks n n Limited use of temporary course number Results of first curriculum proposal determines faculty members first impression Anticipating structure of new University student records, course numbers Fee split may be perceived unreasonable by students on VSB NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 35 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Institutionalization Budget & Resources n $75, 000 n In kind support from ASBSU and Student Union NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 36 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Institutionalization Infrastructure (staff & office) n 1 full time SL coordinator. Dualresponsibilities n 1 grad assistant n 1 work-study student n Three offices NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 37 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Institutionalization Political Strategies n n Use first SL faculty partners for in service workshops and program promotion Involved former faculty senate president in writing curriculum proposal Meet regularly with senate sub committees about upcoming proposal Sustain involvement of faculty from each college on Advisory Board NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 38 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Institutionalization Lessons Learned n Campus ripe for SL program n Feedback from Advisory Board critical in curriculum proposal and SL program development NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 39 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Setback Goals n Maintain prior program until new S-L Coordinator hired n Examine organizational structure that can best support and build S-L program NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 40 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Setback Risks n n n University to program may lose momentum SL reporting lines in Student Affairs restructuring major issue Implications if SL reports to Career Center Top candidate had no student development experience Top candidate had no teaching experience NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 41 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Setback Budget & Resources NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 42 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Setback Infrastructure (staff & office) n 1 graduate assistant n 1 faculty partner contributes as coordinator n 1 work-study student NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 43 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Setback Political Strategies n Move SL outside Student Activities n Closer reporting to VP of Student Affairs n Keep SL program where there is close supervision NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 44 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler

Setback Lessons Learned n SL program can survive setbacks n Campus wide support of SL program creates ownership of program n Graduate assistant key factor in bridging program form old to new SL coordinator NSEE/ICEL Conference October 2003 45 Kara Hartmann & Maureen Sigler