Pre-Service Orientation
It is our hope that by completing this orientation you will:
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Understand the role of service in the mission and
vision of the University of Saint Francis.
Recognize what service is, and how service can help
you grow intellectually, personally and spiritually.
Be aware of your role and responsibilities as a
servant participant in the community.
Learn how to create your personal profile so you can
register for service activities on the CSE website.
Learn how to register for service activities on the
CSE website.
Founded in 1890, the University of
Saint Francis is committed to the
following Franciscan values:
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Reverence the unique dignity of each person.
Encourage a trustful, prayerful community of
learners.
Serve one another, society, and the Church.
Foster peace and justice.
Respect creation.
Connecting campus and community resources, the
Center serves community needs and meets
educational goals by:
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Assisting students, faculty and staff in the creation of
diverse learning experiences through curricular and
co-curricular service learning, community service,
and volunteerism.
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Facilitating the service and leadership goals of the
university’s mission, values, and strategic plan.
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Preparing students for lives of compassionate service
as socially responsible citizens of the world.
The CSE seeks to provide
service and engagement
opportunities which meet
social action goals and
needs at over 45 different
community agencies.
When you serve, you help
many of our partner
agencies to maintain or
expand the programs and
services they offer.
USF Feeds the Fort
While the primary intent of service at an agency
may be the support of agency programs and
needs, or the fulfillment of a class requirement,
many who serve find that they benefit from their
service experience as much as those they serve.
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Increased understanding, sensitivity and passion for
addressing social action issues
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Increased civic responsibility
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Increased awareness and commitment to an underserved or
marginalized group in society
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Enhanced critical thinking and problem solving skills
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Increased awareness, appreciation and sensitivity to cultural
differences
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The ability to apply course-related instruction in real-world
settings
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Service which is either ongoing or long-term, provided by you
to make a positive impact in the community.
Service which is not attached to a class; service may occur as
an extra-curricular or co-curricular (campus club or
organization-related) activity.
Service which has a primary focus of meeting the needs of
others through a project, or a role served ( Examples include:
building a house with Habitat for Humanity or serving as a
mentor at Boys and Girls Club).
Service which is not necessarily related to your academic
discipline or major.
Service which may foster your understanding and
appreciation of your civic responsibility and increase your
compassion for others.
Community Service - MLK Day of Service, 2011
USF students and faculty clean the kitchen at the Mad
Anthony Children’s Hope House
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Service to a community agency or organization which is
tied to a specific academic course.
Skill or values-based outcomes of the Service-learning
experience are detailed in the course syllabus (applying
course content in real-world settings).
Service learning experiences are the result of intentional
partnerships between the faculty/CSE and the
community agency where the student serves.
Structured opportunities for student reflection are
provided via class discussion and/or assignments.
Student’s SL experience is evaluated and assessed by
student, faculty and the agency where student serves.
Service-learning experience fosters civic responsibility
and understanding of Franciscan values.
When using the registration system for service
required in a service-learning class:
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You select the course name (rather than an
interest area) from a pull down menu.
Specific service site options may be indicated by
your professor.
Your professor will be able to see where you have
completed your service, how many hours you
have completed, and any comments agency staff
might have about your service
School of
Creative Arts,
Photography
Students
practice
family
photography
at Vincent
Village
Whether you are registering for service related to a servicelearning class, or service with a campus club or organization, or
just because you enjoy serving others, please consider the
following important questions:
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Can I be there as scheduled? (don’t forget to include
transportation time)
Is this service a good “fit” for me?
Can I go at the day and time that the service is
scheduled?
Can I complete the entire service commitment (expected
service hours each time, expected length of service
commitment)?
Have I completed the appropriate pre-service
forms/paperwork?
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Know the name of your contact person at the
agency.
Know the address of the agency and where you
should park.
Know the phone number of the agency (in case of
unexpected delays).
Inquire ahead of time about storage for personal
items, or lock in car trunk.
CALL CSE STAFF IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO SERVE
DUE TO A LAST MINUTE EMERGENCY OR ILLNESS;
REMEMBER, THEY ARE COUNTING ON YOU!
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Expect a brief orientation to the agency your first time
serving.
Dress accordingly (No tank tops, sleeveless shirts, or Tshirts with controversial graphics or language no matter
where you serve).
Wear closed toe shoes (required at many agencies).
Show up prepared and ready to serve.
Use “professional” language; no profanity.
Maintain confidentiality (don’t discuss private
information you learned during your service work with
anyone outside of the agency).
Don’t loan or give personal possessions to agency clients
or staff.
Don’t share personal information that you may regret
later.
Don’t make promises you are not able to keep.
Take time to reflect on your service, both before and
after you serve.
Now it is time to take the Pre Service
Orientation quiz. You will only need to take
and pass this quiz one time during your
entire time at USF. Passing quiz score is 80%.
You may retake the quiz until you gain a
passing quiz score.
Take the orientation quiz here