Student Agreement for Academic Service-Learning (AS-L) Project

Student Name: ______Course: ______

Community Partner (if known): ______

As you begin your Academic Service-Learning project, please remember that you will be a representative of the University of Wisconsin-Superior in the community. As such, we ask you to carefully read and abide by the following guidelines created to assist you in having the most productive Academic Service-Learning experience possible.

Dependability

  • Be punctual and responsible. You are participating in the organization as a reliable, trustworthy and contributing member of the team. Both the administrators and the people whom you serve rely on your punctuality and commitment to completing your service project throughout your partnership.
  • Call if you anticipate lateness or absence. You must let your agency supervisor know of your absence as far in advance as possible. Call if you are running late to let your agency supervisor know. Be mindful of your commitment; people are counting on you. Listen for site cancellations in case of bad weather; if in doubt, call your agency supervisor.

Discipline

  • Most placement sites have detailed discipline plans, and the responsibility for discipline rests with the professional staff. Make sure that your agency supervisor is aware of any discipline problems that arise while working with a student/client. You should NOT discipline students/clients.

Confidentiality

  • Information of a confidential nature may be shared with you during your AS-L project. You should never discuss this information with anyone who does not have a professional right or need to know. Additionally, if confidential information (i.e. organizational files, diagnostics, personal stories, names, ect.) is needed for course assignments, you should use pseudonyms.

Mandatory Reporting

  • If a child/client discloses information to you that causes you to suspect physical/sexual abuse, you must report this information to your agency supervisor, course instructor or CAS-L staff immediately. Remain claim and collected while you are working with the child/client. Do not do or say anything that would make the child/client feel as if they said or did something wrong.

Professionalism

  • Appropriate appearance. Dress neatly, comfortably and appropriately for the work you are doing. Check with you agency supervisor for proper attire and/or dress code for their specific agency. Hats should not be worn inside the agencies, unless they require it.
  • Appropriate attitude and manners.
  • Swearing, verbally abusive or any other type of inappropriate language should never be used at your community agency or when working with students/clients.
  • Treat your supervisor and others with courtesy and kindness.
  • Use formal names unless instructed otherwise.
  • Do not use your cell phone (answering or texting) and/or use the agency computer or phones for personal use while you are completing your hours.
  • Show respect for agency. Placement within the community is an educational opportunity and a privilege. Remember, not only are you serving the community, but the community is serving you by investing valuable resources in your learning. If you are having a bad experience or problems with an agency employee, please tell your agency supervisor, course instructor and/or CAS-L staff.
  • Ask for help when in doubt. Your agency supervisor understands the issues at your agency and you are encouraged to approach him/her with questions or problems as they arise. They can assist you in determining the best way to respond in difficult or uncomfortable situations. You may also consult your course instructor and/or CAS-L staff.
  • Be flexible. The level or intensity at your community agency is not always predictable. Your flexibility to changing situations can assist the partnership in working smoothly and in producing positive outcomes for everyone involved.
  • Follow all agency policies. Illegal chemicals and alcohol are not permitted on any agency property. If you smoke, you must ask your agency where it is allowed. Always ask your agency supervisor about the agency’s policies and be certain to follow them or you will be asked to discontinue your AS-L project.
  • Speak up. If you have a suggestion or idea you think would benefit the community agency, speak up. Remember, even though if you have a great suggestion or idea, it is the professional staff that are held responsible for the decisions made on behalf of the agency.
  • Accepting Differences. Accept students/clients as they are. Be sensitive to difference in background, cultures, religions, values, vocabulary, and aspirations.

Evaluations: This information will assist CAS-L in improving the AS-L experience for students, instructors and community agencies.

  • Community Agency. The Center for Academic Service-Learning will send an evaluation to your community agency to see how your agency supervisor thought you did and how the experience was from their perspective.
  • Students. The Center for Academic Service-Learning would also like to get the students evaluations of their academic service-learning project. Evaluation forms of your community agency and your experience will be provided for you at the end of the semester.

In addition to the above expectations, as a participant in an Academic Service-Learning project,

you are also responsible for the following limitations.

NEVER:

  • Report to your agency under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Give or loan money or other personal belongings to a client.
  • Make promises or commitments to a client that neither you nor the organization can keep.
  • Give a client or organizational representative a ride in a personal vehicle, unless the person is authorized for transport. DO NOT transport a child by yourself.
  • Tolerate verbal exchange of a sexual nature or engage in behavior that might be perceived as sexual with a client or agency representative.
  • Tolerate verbal exchange or engage in behavior that might be perceived as discriminating against an individual on the basis of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.

OTHER SAFETY ISSUES:

  • Keep your automobile a non-attraction. Do not leave items visible in the car’s interior. Place valuable articles in the trunk prior to arrival.
  • If you take the bus, be sure to know the route and bus fare.
  • In case of a breakdown or transportation problem, carry enough money to get home.
  • Develop a community safety net or resources in your placement area.
  • Get to know your supervisor at the agency. Ask him/her questions about the area and get suggestions on what you should do if you find yourself in trouble.
  • Familiarize yourself with people, places and things in the area that can be of assistance in times of emergency (e.g. location of phones, 24-hour stores, police station, etc.).

The Academic Service-Learner Agrees To:

  1. Notify agency supervisor in advance if he/she must miss work and make up the missed work time
  2. Follow all agency policies and guidelines including, but not limited to, discipline, confidentiality and mandatory reporting.
  3. Be professional at all times including, but not limited to, dress, speech, accepting differences, showing respect and being flexible.
  4. Establish a set work schedule with agency supervisor and fulfill this schedule
  5. Communicate openly and honestly with the assigned agency supervisor, course instructor and CAS-L staff
  6. Attend all required and project related trainings and in-service sessions

The undersigned agrees to, and will uphold, the terms and conditions of this Program Memorandum.

Academic Service-Learning Student: ______Date: ______

AS-L Coordinator: ______Date: ______

Center for Academic Service-Learning

University of Wisconsin – Superior

Belknap & Catlin, PO Box 2000, Swenson Hall 2047

Superior, WI 54880

(715) 394-8518

www.uwsuper.edu/casl

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