2007-2008 Awards for Outstanding Community Service and Engagement

The UMass Office of Community Service Learning at Commonwealth College calls for nominations for the 2008 Awards for Outstanding Community Service and Engagement.  These awards were established to recognize individuals' positive contributions to communities outside of the university and to appreciate collaborative efforts to meet community needs while advancing student learning.  With these awards, UMass students, faculty and staff will be recognized for their meaningful involvement with communities on and off campus, whether it occur within the context of the curriculum, community-based research, a student organization, dorm life or active citizenship.  Staff at community-based organizations will also be honored for effectively engaging UMass faculty, staff and students in community efforts.  Award recipients will have demonstrated exemplary efforts in support of OCSL's mission and used their time, innovative thinking, energy and resources to make positive contributions either on campus or to an external community during the 2007-2008 academic year.  Those who received an Award for the Campus, for the Community are not eligible to receive an award in 2008.

Please note that these awards replace the Awards for the Campus, for the Community; the awards and nomination process has changed significantly.  Please review this packet carefully.

The Office of Community Service Learning will present four types of awards in 2008:

Curricular Service-Learning Award
This award will honor up to ten UMass Amherst students (undergraduate or graduate), faculty or staff for either the breadth or depth of their community involvement or service experience(s) through community service learning. This award recognizes community engagement that is directly and intentionally connected to a course and that helps students gain a better understanding of the course content.

Co-Curricular Service-Learning Award
This award will honor up to five UMass Amherst students (undergraduate or graduate) who have made service an integral part of their UMass experience, as demonstrated by significant community engagement through direct service, activism, advocacy, public policy or work to create institutional change. This award recognizes students whose service experiences fit into their overall learning goals, but are not part of a course.

Community-Based Colleague Award
This award recognizes up to three staff members at community-based organizations who have made an outstanding commitment to working with and supporting UMass Amherst volunteers and have complemented these volunteers' learning and growth. Please note that nominations for this award must originate from UMass faculty, staff or students.

Commonwealth Essay in Community Service Award
This award recognizes up to three UMass Amherst students (undergraduate or graduate) with $250 for essays that aptly describe their community service experience, its impact on someone other than themselves and how the service has led to important academic, personal and civic learning.

To submit a nomination for someone else or to apply for an award yourself, please complete the Nomination/Application form and submit all supplemental information. To be considered, all nominations must be received in the Office of Community Service Learning by Friday, April 11, 2008. For more information, please contact Sarah Martineau at (413) 545-2015 or CSLevents@comcol.umass.edu.