Student FAQ

1. How do I enroll in Service Learning?

Students enroll into Service Learning through an NMSU Course where an instructor is offering it as an option to a course assignment or as extra credit. (Service Learning Courses are marked with a star in the NMSU Grants Class Schedule)
Attend a Service Learning orientation BEFORE contacting an agency site. Students may NOT enroll in Service Learning before attending an orientation. Orientations are done at the beginning of your scheduled class within the first two weeks of the semester. Make-up orientations may be offered, with times to be announced.
Students decide (if the instructor hasn't required service to a specific agency site) which agency site they wish to perform service at and contact the agency for an interview. If the student is accepted at their selected site, arrangements are then made between the student and the agency supervisor to begin their service learning.
Students must provide a copy of their course syllabus to their agency supervisor.
Students must complete the NMSU Grants Service Learning Official Letter of Agreement and Enrollment Form, have both the agency supervisor and instructor sign the form, sign it themselves, and submit the enrollment form to their instructor by the deadline as indicated.

2. What forms should I (the student) bring to the interview?

Each service learning student should bring the following forms to their interview:
A copy of your course syllabus, which will allow you an opportunity to plan your work at your selected agency site. It is important that the work you do at the agency site corresponds with what you are learning in your class, or you may not get credit.
The Student Service Learning Letter of Agreement and Enrollment. If a student has been accepted for placement at his or her selected agency site, both the agency supervisor and the student must sign the Enrollment Agreement. The student then takes their form to their instructor for a signature. The form is then routed to the Service Learning Office for data entry. A student is not enrolled in service learning until the forms have been processed.
The Student Time Sheet. The Timesheet is the documentation that records the student's work at the agency site. It needs to be signed by the agency supervisor each time the student serves hours at the agency site, and should remain on the agency premises until the required service learning hours are fulfilled by the student. (The number of service learning hours required may vary between instructors and agency sites.) It is important that the timesheet be returned to the student before the term ends so that he or she can receive credit for their Service Learning experience.

3. Can I do Service Learning anywhere I want?

NO. Service Learning can only be performed at a NMSU Grants approved agency site.

4. What happens if I perform Service Learning at an unapproved site?

No approval will be given for enrollment from the Service Learning Office.
Your placement will be strictly voluntary, and will not qualify as Service Learning.

5. What is the difference between Service Learning and Volunteerism?

Service Learning is the combination of community service and classroom instruction, with a focus on critical reflective thinking as well as personal and civic responsibility. (AACC2002) Service learning programs involve students in organized activities that address local needs while developing their academic skills and commitment to their community. Service Learning is related to but does not include volunteerism, cooperative education, practicum's or internships.
Volunteers serve in whatever capacity they are needed to help an agency meet its needs. Volunteers may not be associated with an academic program.
For additional understanding of the differences between Service Learning and Volunteerism, please contact:
Genevieve Humenay, Program Coordinator, Service Learning
(505) 287-6634 (office) or by e-mail at ghumenay@nmsu.edu

6. Do I get credit for the service I provide to the agency?

No, credit is given for the learning that takes place during the service work that has been provided to the agency. The service learning work must be related to the course content of the class.
When a student performs service learning for a course, the instructor will request that they write a paper, present to the class, or take a test on what was learned through the service learning experience. It is the learning that is graded. The agency site acts as a living classroom for the learning to take place.
The Service Learning Office does not give credit to the student. The instructor gives credit to the student, once the student has completed the course and service learning requirements.

7. What happens if I cannot complete my Service Learning at an agency site?

A written explanation including a valid reason must be presented for failure to complete the Service Learning Agreement. It must be filed with the Service Learning Office, located in the Main Office on NMSU Grants Campus.
Contact your agency site so that your agency knows not to depend on you being there.
Speak with your instructor. Usually Service Learning is an option, in which case you must still complete the other course work to gain course credit. Ultimately, your course instructor decides what must be done to complete course requirements.

8. How do I contact the Service Learning Office?

IF YOUR INSTRUCTOR OFFERS SERVICE LEARNIG, YOU MUST ATTEND AN ORIENTATION SESSION IN ORDER TO ENROLL IN SERVICE LEARNING.

"This information has been adapted with permission from the Center for Community Programs and Partnerships, Central New Mexico Community College."