2009 ANNUAL REPORT OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Please add narrative text that responds to the questions in the four categories below.
Implementation of Student Development
What was the structure and content for the implementation of the developmental model this year? In particular, please share (no more than one page text needed):
- The Structure for training, courses, & meetings
- Cornerstone Activities including First Year Trip, Second Year Exchange, Third Year (and beyond) Leadership Roles, and Senior Capstone & Presentation of Learning
- Roles of Student Leaders in integration of the Serve 2.0 initiative (e.g., developing and using web-based tools for service)
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The Structure for training, courses and meetings: Our year started off with a week-long orientation program for our freshmen Bonners. Four upperclass Bonners assisted with training and leading various programs. We did cross-training with our Leadership Scholars during part of the week, conducted various initiative activities, participated in a low-level and high-level ropes course, freshmen took the spiritual gifts inventory test and participated in a tour of our community in which challenges and facts were shared. One day was devoted to service with Greene County Habitat for Humanity during orientation. Upperclass Bonners arrived later in the week to meet the freshmen and to participate in a day long leadership development conference for all student leaders. Over 125 students from various clubs and organizations attended this event. Freshmen participate in a semester-long, 1-credit hour, service-learning course that introduces them to the Bonner program. Meeting structure consisted of large group meetings, class meetings, four one-on-ones, reflection options and various committee meetings. Reflections consisted of attending keynote speakers for campus-wide reflections and leadership team led reflections. An all Bonner overnight retreat is held in the fall. Annie Pasqua did training for this. A weekend retreat in the spring was held on campus. Senior capstones were spread out over two days and all Bonner students were required to attend at least one day. First-year Bonners were required to attend the service fair held in September as they started to explore various service opportunities. One-on-one meetings are held twice in the fall and spring.
Cornerstone Activities: Our first-year trip was to Philadelphia in March 2009. We parterned with the Center for Student Missions (CSM) in North Philadelphia. CSM is located in 9 cities throughout the US and focuses on short-term urban mission experiences. One of the most meaningful and humbling events is when we interact with the homeless on the streets of Philadelphia. Reflection on this night is usually filled with tears and much emotion. Another highlight of the week is a prayer tour of the city. All mission service trips are open to all students and two non-Bonners participated in the trip to Philadelphia. Two upper-class students, one residence director and our Dean of Students were the leaders. Our second year exchange was with West Virginia Wesleyan College. We did a number of icebreaker activities on Friday. On Saturday, Wesleyan and Waynesburg sophomores served at the World Vision Warehouse which is located in Pittsburgh. During one-on-one meetings with juniors and seniors, their progression in the student developmental model is discussed and written about, in addition to how they perceive themselves being a leader at their service site and within the Bonner Program. Each junior and senior sets measurable goals and are challenged to do a 'big' project for their service site, on campus, or within the local community. Our senior intern was an important component of the Center for Service Leadership all year. She worked with our service learning program in addition to our Bonner program. Bonner Scholars served on the following committees: leadership, community fund, morale, and site coordinators. Students helped in organizing and leading our "Who's Your Neighbor?" week activities in the fall and spring. This week focuses on educating the campus community on poverty and related issues while asking the question who is our neighbor. Seniors presented their capstone projects and focused on personal growth over the last four years and did a research project on the most challenging issue facing their service site. Community partners, faculty and staff were all invited to attend Senior Capstone presentations.
Roles of Student Leaders with Serve 2.0: We have used Serve 2.0 in a limited fashion during the 2008-09 academic year.
Implementation of Community Partnerships
Please share a summary of your work with community partners, highlighting your work regarding (no more than one page text needed):
- Arrangement and management of community partnerships and placements (orientation, site visits, meetings, strategic planning)
- How partners were engaged as co-educators, including academic linkages, courses, and student advising
- Partnerships managed through site-based or issue-oriented teams, as well as other issue-based organizing undertaken
- Capacity building initiatives for community partners (such as workshops, policy research, or resource development)
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We have close working partnerships with approximately 15 community partners. These partners come and speak with students during large group meetings and during a service fair held in the fall and spring. Freshmen Bonners, through the service learning class, attend six various partners that focus on different issues and populations. Our service site coordinators hold regular meetings between community partners and University staff. We visit our main community partners annually to strengthen relationships, evaluate the past year and to discuss new objectives.
Community partners evaluate Bonner Scholars each semester through written feedback. The coordinator of the Bonner Program reviews all written evaluations with students during one-on-one meetings. Periodically, community partners will hold training sessions for Bonners and the general student body.
We are beginning to move towards issue-oriented teams. During the fall 2009 we will focus on education.
Campus-Wide Culture and Infrastructure
Please describe key activities and structures related to the development of campus-wide infrastructure and the role of the Bonner Program in enhancing (or being enhanced by) campus-wide culture and participation in service. In particular, share (no more than one page text needed):
- Key activities for faculty engagement and academic connections. In particular, note any connections to curricular offerings that are linked to the Bonner Program.
- Key relationships and activities involving other departments or divisions on campus (for example for recruitment, student wellness or retention, financial aid, and so on).
- Unique initiatives (such as events, assessment, or strategic planning) that have enhanced institutionalization of service and civic engagement on campus.
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Service and service learning continue to be a main focus for Waynesburg University and is woven throughout a Waynesburg University education. It is our hope and desire that all of our students become engaged not only in their own education, but in the needs of their local communities and assist in addressing real human and societal needs identified by members of the local community. Academically, four faculty members added a service learning project to a course in their discipline. An accounting professor continues to teach a special topics service learning course called, Volunteers in Tax Assistance (VITA) and accounting majors not enrolled in service learning continue to asssit with VITA. This program is helpful to low-income individuals and keeps more money in their hands.
The Center for Service Leadership serves as the hub for service activities. During the 2008-09 academic year seven service learning mini-grants were given to faculty in six different academic departments to develop service learning projects for courses in their disciplines. In addition, we have partnered with the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne Universtiy, Carolow University, Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh Cares, the Collegiate YMCA of Pittsburgh and PA Campus Compact to develop a service learning network for Southwestern PA. Steps continue to be taken to develop more discipline based service learning projects.
We continue to offer domestic and international mission service trips during all college breaks. These mission service trips are open to all students and are lead by faculty, staff and students. Each semester an event called Who's Your Neighbor? week is held on campus to heighten awareness around poverty and other social justice issues. The service leadership minor has asssited in educating the student body on service, civic engagement and how to tie the minor into your major.
Serve 2.0
Please highlight your key activities related to the integration of web-based tools as they are connected to the design, management, and outreach for service. In particular, share (no more than one page text needed):
- Link to your campus-wide service center or Bonner Program wiki ,web-site, or Ning site. Please explain how it’s most used and by whom.
- Your integration with other social media tools (such as the Bonner Network Forum/Ning, Twitter, YouTube, the Bonner Video Project, PolicyOptions Wiki, or others)
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More will be done in the future to implement Serve 2.0.
Campus Issue Profiles
Add links to your completed or draft campus issue profiles here:
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