Tusculum College’s commitment to nurturing good citizenship in its graduates is one of the factors that differentiates the College. Service-learning is an integral part of this commitment and campus life as can be seen in other articles in this newsletter – Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day and Boazin Katina’s trip to Belize.
As part of the Commons curriculum, all students have the opportunity to get practical experience outside the classroom and a chance to serve the community. Students acquire valuable skills in areas such as leadership, collective decision-making, communication, working in groups and public problem-solving. Most importantly students gain knowledge of their ability to work with others to make a difference.
The College has established the Center for Civic Advancement with a full-time staff in order to support faculty and students in planning and undertaking service placements and projects and to coordinate service and volunteer activities of all kinds. Examples of volunteer work in which students have participated include river cleanup, Habitat for Humanity construction, recycling programs, theatrical outreach programs, tutoring, Boys & Girls Club programs, highway litter pickup and many others.
Service-learning has been a graduation requirement since the mid-1990s. The service-learning graduation requirement may be fulfilled through a Service-Learning course (each 4 semester credits), a Service-Learning Practicum (for 2 semester credits), an approved internship or through an approved course with a significant service-learning component.
Students may choose from several Service-Learning classes which are offered each year. Immersion classes involve travel and possibly a stay in another location, sometimes in another culture. Trips have been taken to the Central American nation of Belize in recent years. Other classes remain in the Greeneville-Greene County area to carry out their service activities. Community issues such as social justice, economic opportunity, environmental protection or restoration, education or health and wellness may be the focus of these classes. The student who chooses a summer Service–Learning Practicum will take on a role working with a community organization and will gain practical experience providing service through that role.
To help prepare students for the challenges of service learning, the course Theory and Practice of Citizenship is included in the Commons curriculum (or other course options approved for this category). Students may also participate, individually or through various campus organizations, in a wide range of smaller-scale, voluntary service projects.
Students who have an deep interest and commitment to volunteer service can join the Bonner Leaders student organization. Bonner Leaders is a student-led service learning opportunity that requires its members to fulfill 100 hours of volunteer work a semester. Members are selected through an application and interview process and a grant of $1,000 per semester may be available.
Other student organizations are also involved in service to others. For example, the President’s Society volunteered earlier this year to help beautify campus and the Women’s Basketball Team has been involved in service activities.