Student Service Advisory Committee members bring student input and concerns about community service opportunities to the table of WVU Center for Service and Learning.
Since its establishment in early 2019, the Student Service Advisory Committee has become a group of students who are interested in the support and facilitation of community service opportunities for the students of West Virginia University (WVU).
These students “guide the administration on what service should look like and give a valid, generational perspective,” said Eric Murphy, assistant director of the Center for Service and Learning.
This input allows the CSL to recognize and appreciate student interests, needs, and talents to better the “retention and grounding of students,” Murphy said.
Last spring, the committee volunteered at the WVU Student-Athlete Day of Service. Athletes from WVU football, tennis, volleyball, basketball, swimming and diving teams - among others - worked on a variety of community service projects.
“At that moment in time, [the athletes and other volunteers, alike] became students working toward the betterment of the community,” Murphy said.
Unlike days of service, social action projects are done with little recognition, but have the same impact on the community.
“The social action projects provide a vehicle for the students to be passionate and speak out to say, ‘I don't want that’ and hold people accountable,” Murphy said.
These projects allow a diverse group of students to join forces for a greater purpose, but not all students recognize the benefits of serving their community.
“I think a good [number] of students are volunteering their time and those who are not do not understand the benefit of it,” Murphy said. “They see it as transactional. They see it as ‘I do this, I get a grade.’ They do not see it as transformative.”
Service-learning courses allow students to follow course objectives through participation with a nonprofit organization in the area. This participation is counted as a grade regarding the work done in class. On the other hand, social action projects give students the opportunity to get involved outside of the classroom while having their voices heard.
The Student Service Advisory Committee recognizes the need of a deep connection with students in order to make changes in community service opportunities on the WVU campus. Communication, advocacy, appreciation and the opportunity of having a safe place for students to give their opinions have a home at the Center for Service and Learning.
Students interested in being involved with the Center for Service and Learning Student Service Advisory Committee can contact Eric Murphy by email Eric.Murphy@mail.wvu.edu.