FAQ: LSU Service-Learning Designation
My students do service in my class. Is it service-learning?
Maybe. But, similar to CxC, classes must be approved by CCELL before they can be called service-learning.
CCELL is happy to discuss with you whether your class meets the requirements for service-learning. We can also assist you in course design and the incorporation of best practices.
Why should I designate my class as service-learning?
By identifying which classes are service-learning, LSU is able to track participation
in service-learning to ensure accurate information regarding campus wide community
engagement. Service-learning aligns with Goal 4 of the LSU Flagship Agenda 2020, to
“promote engagement of faculty, staff, and students in the transformation of communities.”
Number of service-learning classes is a performance indicator, but only classes designated
by CCELL can be included.
Also, CCELL offers resources to designated classes:
- Classes registered with CCELL are eligible for funding opportunities
- CCELL assesses each class’s service-learning outcomes at the end of each semester
- CCELL can assist in finding community partners...we have more than 450 established service-learning partners
Plus, you only have to submit the information once every five years.
The class I'm teaching is always taught using service-learning pedagogy, but I've never met or talked with CCELL. Do I need to apply for the designation?
Yes. Service-learning classes are approved when taught by a specific faculty member, so all faculty members must be approved. However, the new designation process allows you to select the option (on the application) for ALL sections of a class to be designated, meaning that new faculty won't need to be approved (see which classes have received the SL designation here).
My class was designated in the past by CCELL. Do I need to reapply for the designation?
Yes. You will need to apply for the designation during the year in which your college is under review. This process will be repeated every five years. If you missed your College's year, you will need to apply for the designation before you can teach the service-learning class again.
2014-2015: Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, Music & Dramatic Arts
2015-2016: Business, Art + Design, Honors College, Coast & Environment, Mass Communication
2016-2017: Human Sciences & Education
2017-2018: Humanities & Social Sciences
2018-2019: Science, Agriculture
What will happen once my class receives the service-learning designation?
The course, when taught by you, will appear on Course Offerings with the SVC LEARNING designation for the next five years (as long as the service-learning is required; see below if it is optional). If you decide not to do S-L one semester, you will just need to let us know so that we can remove the SL special enrollment code. Designated classes will receive assessments at the end of the semester to distribute to participating students and measure service-leaning outcomes.
My service-learning class is just one section of a class that has multiple sections taught by multiple faculty. The others aren’t teaching the class as service-learning, so should I apply for designation?
Yes. What the designation will do is automatically designate the class as service-learning whenever YOU teach it. It won't affect the class when it is taught by your colleagues.
My class has an optional service-learning component. Do I need to submit an application for a service-learning designation?
Yes. The class will be designated as “optional service-learning.” The class will not show on Course Offerings as SVC LEARNING, although “Special Remarks” can be added. CCELL is working with the Registrar’s office to develop technology which will allow students who participate in the optional S-L to receive credit on their transcript.
Do I need to submit an application for each service-learning class I teach?
No, not if your classes have similar projects and partners. There’s a place on the
application to list all of your different classes and attach multiple syllabi.