SECOND-YEAR TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
SIGNATURE PROJECT GUIDELINES - SERVICE-LEARNING &
COMMUNITY SERVICE
The STEP Signature Project in Service-Learning and Community Service
The purpose of doing Service-Learning and Community Service at the collegiate level, and as a STEP project,
goes beyond simply doing direct service, something you might have experienced in high school. Your STEP
service project will put your own knowledge and academic goals into practice and allow you to critically explore
the underlying causes, challenges, and politics related to a particular societal issue.
STEP Signature Project in Service-Learning and Community Service Guidelines
Service-Learning and Community Service Signature Projects should allow you to:
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Apply your academic knowledge and goals in a real-world setting
Partner with a community, nonprofit, or other to address an identified need
Understand the issues, resources, assets, and cultures of a community
Reflect on and analyze the connection between your academic pursuits and the service
Evaluate the quality and impact of the service
Your proposal should include the following components:
1. A service project that addresses an identified need within a community and meets the expectations
listed above.
2. An academic component that will allow you to complete the reflection process detailed above. This can
take place in one of the following ways:
a. Participating in the STEP Reflection Series; three 90-minute workshops that will help you
explore and reflect on your STEP experience.
b. Taking a service-learning class that is explicitly related to the social issue or community that
your experience will involve. Visit http://service-learning.osu.edu to find a course, or email the
Service-Learning Initiative for assistance.
c. An independent study on a topic related to your STEP proposal as facilitated by a faculty
member
3. A plan to evaluate and share the results of your STEP project as outlined by the STEP Reflecting &
Reporting Back process mentioned at the end of this document.
A Completed STEP Signature Project Service-Learning and Community Service Proposal package will
include:
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Proposal
Budget
Service-Learning and Community Service Supplemental Document
Completed STEP CS/S-L MOU (if applicable – not needed for international experiences)
All of these documents should be combined into ONE PDF and uploaded to your dashboard on the STEP
website. Incomplete proposals will be returned to students for revision, so please make sure to follow the
checklist above!
Proposal and Budget
Your STEP Proposal should follow all established policies and guidelines detailed at http://step.osu.edu . If you
have questions about the proposal process, please ask your faculty mentor for guidance or contact the STEP
office.
Service-Learning and Community Service Supplemental Document
The Service-Learning and Community Service supplemental document is a series of six questions that help us
understand your proposal and how we can best support you throughout your STEP experience. It’s also an
easy way to make sure that the experience you’re planning meets the expectations for a STEP project. Please
be sure to fill this document out in full. If you have questions or need assistance in completing it, contact Claire
Sweigart at the Service-Learning Office (sweigart.10@osu.edu) or Vicki Pitstick, STEP Program Manager
(Pitstick.10@osu.edu).
STEP CS/S-L MOU
The STEP CS/S-L MOU is an important planning document to use when you are working with a partner from
outside of the university community. The purpose of the MOU is to make sure that both you and your
community partner have a clear idea of how your project will be completed, and what both of you will need in
order to be successful throughout the process. This MOU is a required document for any STEP student who
will be working with an outside partner that is not affiliated with the university, especially if you are planning
your own independent experience. University planned and facilitated experiences, such as Education Abroad
trips and Buck-I-Serv trips, will not require the MOU. If you are unsure if your experience requires the MOU,
please contact the STEP office. See the end of the document for the full MOU.
Service-Learning International Opportunities
STEP students who wish to undertake their STEP Signature Project (any category) in an international location
must do so via participation on one of the following Ohio State-managed international experiences:
Credit-bearing options
Approved Ohio State education abroad programming is carefully developed and/or selected by an academic
unit in consultation with the Offices of International Affairs and Global Business. Ohio State education abroad
programs yield graded credit, allow students to maintain enrollment, and retain access to use of their financial
aid. In addition to strong academic oversight, all Ohio State-approved education abroad programming is
administered with a high priority given to issues of student health and safety.
Office of International Affairs (OIA)-managed education abroad programs: http://oia.osu.edu/gettingstarted/search-programs.html
Fisher College of Business—Office of Global Business: http://fisher.osu.edu/international/undergraduate/
Non-credit bearing options
The Office of Student life develops and implements programs that foster student learning and development,
enhance the educational experience, and prepare students for their chosen professions and to be contributing
members of a diverse global society. Offerings are backed by research and supported by data in order to
respond to and anticipate evolving student needs. The Student Life staff is well-trained, and initiatives are
designed to help students transition into and through college and prepare them for a lifetime of learning and
contribution. Programming opportunities complement and enhance the academic curricula and help students
overcome obstacles.
Buck-I-SERV: http://buckiserv.osu.edu/
Buckeye Leadership Fellows Program: http://blf.osu.edu/
Office of Student Life—Outdoor Adventure Center: https://recsports.osu.edu/facilities/outdoor-adventurecenter-oac
STEP fellowship funds may not be used for international experiences sponsored by student
organizations.
Next Steps
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Talk to your STEP Faculty Member about how Service Learning and Community Service fits with your
academic, career and life goals
Decide what your Service-Learning and Community Service project is going to look like. Students can
find examples of possible STEP Service-Learning and Community Service Projects in the list of
examples found at https://u.osu.edu/slstep/.
Complete your STEP proposal, budget and other required documentation found on the following
pages. If you are unsure of what is required, contact the STEP office.
Consult with an OSU faculty/staff member who is versed in transformative, community service projects
and/or service-learning pedagogy – Possible contacts: The Service Learning Office, Claire Sweigart
(sweigart.10@osu.edu); the Keith B. Key Center for Student Leadership & Service (CSLS@osu.edu) ;
or STEP Office, Vicki Pitstick (Pitstick.10@osu.edu).
Fellowship Disbursement
For experiences occurring in May of 2016, the approved fellowship amount will post to your university statement
of account approximately May 11th and be applied toward the balance due. If your balance is less than the
amount of your STEP fellowship and any other loans, grants, and/or scholarships you may receive for that term,
you will be able to receive the excess balance (or “refund”). In order to access your refund, you will need to set
up a direct deposit into your personal bank account otherwise the Bursar’s Office will mail you a check. You do
not have to establish a bank account locally to use direct deposit; refunds may be electronically transferred to
any bank in the United States. To set up direct deposit, go to buckeyelink.osu.edu. Once enrolled, the direct
deposit service will continue every semester.
For experiences occurring during a later term, your fellowship will be disbursed approximately 45 days prior to
the start of the experience.
Please note: Prior to disbursement of the fellowship, STEP administration will verify faculty certification of
completion for all STEP program requirements.
Project Reflection and Reporting Back
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Students will be asked to reflect on their project through a reflective essay they will post on
U.OSU.EDU
Students will also be required to report back to the university by presenting at the STEP Expo or
another approved public demonstration.
STEP Service-Learning and Community Service Supplemental Document
Before you begin your STEP project, please answer these questions with the help of your community partner
and your faculty mentor. If you need additional help with any of the questions below, please contact Vicki
Pitstick (Pitstick.10@osu.edu) or Claire Sweigart (sweigart.10@osu.edu).
Please answer the following questions regarding your intended project:
1. Please describe the planned service activities to be performed in this project.
Community Service/Service-Learning activities are based on an arrangement with specific goals, expectations
and responsibilities for students and community partners. Service-learning and community service should be
mutually beneficial; in other words, while you are helping a community partner fulfill their mission, you should
also be gaining skills, knowledge and experience that will be beneficial for you. Before the project begins, you
should take some time to outline what you hope to gain from the experience as well as what your community
partner hopes to gain, and make sure those goals can align and support each other.
2. Please describe at least 2 - 3 goals or expectations that you have for your experience:
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Please describe 2 -3 goals/expectations that your community partner has for your experience:
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2.
3.
3. How do you plan to complete the academic component of your project? Will you attend the STEP
Reflection Series, take a service-learning course, or create an independent study component with the
guidance of your faculty mentor? Detail your plans below:
4. How will you ensure that you are sufficiently prepared for the service and to learn about the issues,
resources, assets, and cultures of the community in which you will be working? Will you receive
training and orientation from your community partner, support from your faculty mentor, or will you look
to other sources?
5. As a part of your proposal, you will need to plan to reflect on your experience and report back to the
university on what you have accomplished. Your plan needs to include the tasks included in the Project
Reflection and Reporting Back section in the STEP CS/S-L guidelines. How do you plan to evaluate
your project and report back to the campus community?
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Signature of STEP Student
Date
STEP Community Service/Service-Learning MOU
I.
Purpose
This written agreement will provide specific terms and guidance for the participation of [STEP Student
Name] (hereafter referred to as “Student”), [STEP Service Site] (hereafter referred to as “Service Site”),
and the Ohio State University’s STEP faculty and staff support system. This MOU is not a binding legal
contract and no party has signed it on behalf of the Ohio State University; however, it will provide terms
and expectations in service of creating a mutually beneficial partnership that supports students, service
sites, and the STEP program.
II.
Terms of The Project
A. The project will take place in a period of [x] weeks, beginning [x] and concluding [x]. In accordance
with STEP guidelines, the activity must be completed by the conclusion of academic year 20[xx]20[xx]. The Student and Service Site affirm that activities can be completed within that time period.
B. The Student will complete the activities outlined in the STEP proposal (see attached). The Service
Site has reviewed the proposal with the Student and affirms that the project is feasible and
beneficial to their mission. The Student has planned this proposal in cooperation with the Service
Site and is committing to complete this work in partnership with the Service Site.
C. The Student is responsible for working with STEP to ensure that the proposal is approved and that
they have access to any and all support needed to complete their project. If through the course of
the project it is no longer feasible for the activities in the STEP Proposal to be completed, the
Proposal can be revised by the Student and the Service Site and approved by appropriate STEP
faculty and staff supports. Any activities undertaken by the Student must comply with STEP CS/S-L
guidelines and provide a “transformational” educational experience. More information is available
here: http://step.osu.edu/the-six-step-experiences/service-learning-and-community-service/
D. The Student/Service Site partnership is voluntary for both parties, and either party may choose to
end that partnership with appropriate cause. Before the partnership is severed, Students and
Service Sites should work to resolve any issues and investigate alternatives to ending the
partnership. Should the Student or Service Site need to end their partnership at any point, this
severance must be accompanied by appropriately documented cause and both parties must be
given at least one month advance notice before such a severance takes place. STEP supporting
staff should be notified to assist with proposal revisions and any other necessary transition events.
III.
STEP Fellowship Guidelines
A. The Student’s proposal will be supported by a STEP Fellowship, which will not exceed $2,000 and
will be paid upon the receipt of an approved proposal. This funding will be disbursed directly to the
Student, who is responsible for using it in compliance with the submitted budget. This fellowship is
meant to support the Student in completing the proposed STEP project and for no other purpose.
B. The Student is responsible for working with the Service Site to create a budget that uses funds
appropriately and having that budget approved before the project begins. The Student may not give
their fellowship to the Service Site directly; however, they are permitted to purchase agreed-upon
materials and supplies on the Service Site’s behalf. These purchases should allow the Student or
Service Site to further the Student’s participation in service activities that are directly related to the
STEP proposal. This must be documented and financial processes that are appropriate to the
Service Site and the Ohio State University must be followed.
C. The Student and Service Site understand that retaining STEP Fellowship funds is contingent upon
the successful completion of the activities outlined in the STEP proposal and compliance with the
guidelines outlined in this MOU. As the recipient of the STEP funding, the Student assumes full
responsibility for how it is used. The Service Site will not be held liable for any return of funds used
in support of STEP programming.
IV.
Obligations
The Student will assume the following responsibilities with respect to the Service Site and the STEP program:
1. Observe all applicable rules, regulations, procedures and directives of the Service Site;
2. Follow the Ohio State Code of Student Conduct and behave in a manner appropriate to
representing the Ohio State University at all times;
3. Work hard and diligently throughout the STEP project;
4. Complete the required academic and programmatic aspects of the STEP project while also
meeting the established service commitments as outlined in the STEP proposal and the
STEP CS/S-L guidelines;
5. Complete the projects and assignments assigned in a timely and accurate manner;
6. Provide immediate notification to the Service Site of any illness or circumstance that will
mean missing any scheduled on-site hours or other activities;
7. Immediately alert Ohio State STEP staff should issues arise during the proposed STEP
project and allow for conflict resolution or other assistance as necessary;
8. Address any conflicts between themselves and their site in a constructive manner;
9. Prepare to report outcomes and successes to the Service Site as well as the STEP program
upon the completion of their project.
The Service Site will assume the following responsibilities with respect to the Student and the STEP program:
1. Provide one staff member, experienced volunteer, or other appropriate supportive personnel
to participate in the STEP planning process and supervise Student activities on site;
2. Ensure that the Student has adequate equipment, materials, and training to complete the
work outlined in the STEP proposal;
3. Whenever possible, provide Students with additional training and development opportunities
appropriate to the work outlined in the STEP proposal;
4. Resolve conflicts between the Student and the Service Site appropriately;
5. Immediately alert Ohio State STEP staff should issues arise during the proposed STEP
project and allow for conflict resolution or other support as necessary;
6. Provide feedback and materials for the Student’s final report of outcomes and successes to
the STEP community.
STEP support staff will assume the following responsibilities with respect to the Student and the Service Site:
7. Provide one-on-one consultation and feedback on the proposal and logistics of the project,
including any changes and revisions made throughout the project year;
8. Provide supportive materials and programming for Students and Service Sites, as outlined
in the STEP CS/S-L guidelines;
9. Provide general consultation and other support services as requested.
V. Amendments to This Agreement
This agreement may be changed or revised with written consent by both parties.
VII. Acknowledgment
The Student and the Service Site hereby acknowledge by their signatures that they have read,
understand, and agree to all terms and conditions of this agreement.
_______________________________________________
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STEP Student
Date
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Service Site Representative
Date