Service Learning Associate (SLA) Program
FACULTY FORM
Fall 2011
Purposes of the Service Learning Associate Program
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To provide students with enhanced leadership and skill training in service learning
To provide students with opportunities for deeper engagement with service learning
To provide faculty with increased level of support to engage in service learning
To enhance university-community partnership development
What will the Office of Service Learning (OSL) provide?
 Professional development training pre, during, and post experience for Service Learning
Associates
 $750 stipend for SLAs
 Recruit SLAs
 Recruit faculty participants
 Facilitate matches between faculty and SLAs
Who is eligible to apply to become/receive a Service Learning Associate?
 Students: any current, enrolled undergraduate or graduate student who has taken a
service-learning course at Fairfield University or at another institution of higher
education
 Faculty: any faculty member with a service learning designated course
*What is expected of students?
 An average of 5 hours a week to fulfill the SLA responsibilities. This may be weighted
more heavily towards the beginning/end of the semester, depending on your needs and
the nature of your course
 Attend professional development and reflection meetings with other SLAs and servicelearning professionals once a month
 Attend one ½ day SLA training workshop (Late August or early September 2011)
 Attend check-in meetings with his/her faculty match (as determined by you)
 Attend the Service Learning Appreciation Event
*This is a leadership development program for students. It is also a job with important
responsibilities that have real impact on teaching and learning and community partnership
development. Students will be expected to fulfill responsibilities in a timely and professional
manner. Students unable to do so may be terminated from the program at the discretion of the
faculty member and Office of Service Learning
What is expected of faculty?
 Develop a work plan for your SLA that includes the specific responsibilities that you
would like him/her to fulfill
 Facilitate check-in meetings with your SLA (as determined by you) and provide adequate
supervision and mentorship
 Maintain open communication with the Office of Service Learning about the experience
of the program
Timeline
 Student and Faculty applications due by April 1st
 Service Learning Associate Interviews April 11th- April 15th (conducted by Office of
Service Learning)
 Notification of award/hire by April 29th
 Student and Faculty meet-and-greet TBA First week of May
 Training Workshop late August or early September
 Service Learning Associate monthly meetings, September, October, November 2011
 Service Learning Appreciation Event TBA April/May 2012
Service Learning Associate Application
FACULTY FORM
Fall 2011
NAME_________________________________________________________________________
EMAIL ADDRESS __________________________________________________________________
Please list the service learning course you will be teaching in the spring. Make a note if you are
teaching multiple sections. Courses must be designated as service learning to apply for an SLA:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Would you be willing to work with a Service Learning Associate (SLA) that has NOT taken your
course before? Note, all SLAs are required to have taken a service learning class to be eligible
for a position.
YES/ NO
Do you have a preference for a certain student to serve as an SLA for your course?
YES/ NO
*If you have circled yes, please list the name(s) of the student(s) that you would like to work
with, in the order of your preference (Only one SLA will be assigned per course):
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Please place a checkmark next to each of the responsibilities that you would feel comfortable
allowing a Service Learning Associate to help you with:
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Serving as a liaison with the community partner organization(s), facilitating communication of
important information between community, instructor and students; coordinating volunteer
responsibilities/projects for your class;
Facilitating group discussions/reflections
Communicating scheduling information to students and relaying other pertinent information
about a community partner to the students in your course
Assist students with making connections between their service learning experiences and other
events/programs on campus and in the community
How do you imagine engaging an SLA in your course (planning, implementation, etc.)? If you have
had an SLA before, how was he/she most effective? What would you do differently, if anything?
PLEASE SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION TO: servicelearning@fairfield.edu or drop off a hard copy
to CNS 200. To send an electronic copy, applications can be downloaded at:
http://www.fairfield.edu/osl/osl_faculty.html
Questions? Contact Danielle Corea at DCorea1@fairfield.edu or X 3059