Recommendations for 2020-2021 Academic Year

As we plan for the upcoming academic year, we would like you to be aware of changes to the university’s instructional delivery model and guidelines on community engagement as it impacts your organization. We apologize for any inconveniences caused by the changes. We know that you are considering ways to continue to engage our students and hope the follow information is helpful to you.

• Continue to list volunteer experiences on Engage Rockhurst. There is a new feature to label opportunities as a virtual project. Virtual opportunities include ways that volunteers can support your organization from home or online, such as
  • Writing cards, sending letters, or doing craft projects (such as making toys for shelter animals, knitting hats and scarves for homeless individuals, or making blankets for seniors)
  • Becoming social media ambassadors, hosting online fundraisers or donation drives, or raising awareness of your organization and related social issues through advocacy
  • Offering a skilled service that they can do remotely, such as web development, graphic design, writing/editing, translation, or sewing
  • Offering online delivery of services such as financial coaching, tutoring and mentoring, enrichment activities or classes, or theater or musical performances
  • Recording theater or musical performances, audiobooks, or how-to videos
• Update your Engage Rockhurst page with any new COVID-19 related safety policies and procedures for volunteers

Connecting with Rockhurst

Rockhurst students give over 30,000 hours of service each year to approximately 150 organizations both in Kansas City and back in the students’ home communities. The Center for Service Learning provides clearinghouse services to nonprofit organizations and schools in Kansas City to market potential service opportunities to Rockhurst students and Rockhurst student organizations. The Center for Service Learning adheres to all University policies and procedures to ensure a nondiscriminatory learning environment.

Engage Rockhurst is the volunteer management site for students, faculty, and staff to view community partners and volunteer opportunities. To promote your community organization or volunteer opportunities on that site, please complete the registration form to become a Community Partner. 

Rockhurst University Community Center serves as a hub for community organizations to hold meetings, connect with Rockhurst University, and promote the well-being of the greater Kansas City community.

Interested in Participating in Service-Learning?

Service Learning is a teaching methodology that extends learning beyond the classroom and into the community through relevant and meaningful service. If you have community-based projects or semester-long opportunities for students, please contact the Center for Service Learning to see if there is a service-learning course that would benefit your project. 

Working with students and faculty for service-learning differs from working with volunteers. Here are some tips for planning effective service-learning projects. They are organized to provide a series of steps in working with the Center for Service Learning and faculty members to plan service-learning projects. Most of the steps can take place during one meeting with a commitment to follow-up on next steps.

• Begin with timing — what timetable of planning and projects works for you and with the academic calendar?
• Identify potential activities students could undertake for the organization
• Determine the amount of time students will spend on service-learning projects
• Identify objectives for student learning based on the service-learning
• Delineate responsibilities for supervising students while at the community organization
• Discuss the academic calendar and community organization’s timeline
• Determine how many students your organization can supervise — consider student availability and your organization’s hours of operation
• Talk about potential risks and how they might be managed
• Clearly articulate desired outcomes, roles and expectations of each partner --- community organization, faculty and students
• Identify appropriate contacts and communication modes for keeping partners informed of progress and for handling challenges that may arise
• Have orientation sessions specific to the service-learning project
• Put it in writing!