Service-Learning and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Last updated 9/6/2022.
CCELL understands the unique circumstances our service-learning faculty, students, and community partners are experiencing amidst the changes COVID-19 has brought upon daily life. The CCELL team is here to support your work. We’ve also collected some of your most frequently asked questions and provided answers below.
Service, Service-Learning, and Community Engagement Guidelines
A list of CCELL recommendations to help faculty plan for service experiences, service-learning classes, and various forms of community engagement that can be done safely from home.
e-Service-Learning Resources
- Course-Specific Service-Learning Assignment: A straightforward assignment and rubric that helps students link class content to direct service and use their personal skillset to serve others safely.
- e-Service-Learning: Best Practices, Pitfalls to Avoid, and Recommendations Report: S-L faculty compiled this comprehensive review of extant literature, resources, and strategies to maintain S-L pedagogy in an online, hybrid, or hyflex academic environment.
- e-Service: A Guide for Students: A student manual that provides best practices for engaging in e-service, a link to service-opportunities, and an appendix of resources/book suggestions.
- e-Service Opportunities: A list of various safe-from-home volunteer options along with a guide to creating an e-service option with community-partners in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay for students to do in-person service?
Yes, as long as the community partner is okay with it, the student wants to and is
able to, and everyone abides by current state/federal social distancing and health
and safety guidelines. We strongly encourage vaccination for anyone who is eligible
and masking for the unvaccinated. Because this can/might change so rapidly, however,
it is best to advise students on a backup plan or to have a backup plan in place.
See our current service guidelines and our report on e-service-learning for tips and guidance.
I will be teaching online – can I still use S-L pedagogy?
Absolutely. See our current service guidelines and our report on e-service-learning for tips and guidance.
My question isn’t here/I’m confused.
Contact our Director, Dr. Sarah Becker (sbecker@lsu.edu) for support and answers.
Is it okay for me to do in-person service?
Yes, as long as the community partner allows it and you work within current federal
and state social distancing and health and safety guidelines. We strongly encourage
vaccination for anyone who is eligible and masking for the unvaccinated.
Can I do service remotely?
If you want to get some hours done while practicing social or physical distancing
or in self-quarantine, email us. We have simple ideas for how you can serve others while also protecting your own and your loved ones’
health.
My community partner closed – what should I do?
Reach out to us to troubleshoot your situation. We are here to advocate for you and
to help keep things as simple as possible in this time of crisis.
My question isn’t here/I’m confused.
Contact us at ccell@lsu.edu for more information.
We have virtual needs – are there volunteers available to work from home?
CCELL is collecting names of organizations who have work-from-home volunteer opportunities
and will work to link them up with people who would like to do service in this time
of crisis. Please email us with your needs and/or opportunities to get involved in
ways that abide by current state/federal social distancing guidelines.
My question isn’t here/I’m confused.
Contact CCELL at ccell@lsu.edu for information.