Student Bridges Community Service Learning Course: "Learning through Community Engagement"
Fall 2009 & Spring 2010
SRVC LRNG 293 - Gen Ed's: I(Interdisciplinary) & U (US Diversity)
4 credits/each semester - space limited so apply now!
Meeting Times: Tuesdays 7 PM – 9 PM: Plus participation in a community service learning team and day-long orientations to the city of Holyoke, on Saturday, September 19th, 2009 and Saturday, February 6th, 2010 or the city of Springfield (dates are all temporary and could change)
Description
This two-semester course examines how race, class and a variety of historical forces shape students' access to quality education. We look at issues of racism and inequality in educational systems, and explore how standardized testing, the dismantling of affirmative action, and rising costs have affected college access for many low-income, first-generation, and students of color. In the spring, students apply their understanding to an educational issue of choice to research for and develop a project or initiative. Students are required to participate in a community service learning (CSL) team, where you will work with students from Holyoke or Springfield programs or schools once or twice a week during one of the following times:
Mondays, 9am - 1:15pm (+additional events): Tutor-mentor middle school students at Peck Middle School in Holyoke to support their academic preparation and success.
Tuesdays 2:30pm - 6:30pm (+additional events): Help facilitate college awareness & preparation workshops for middle and high school youth from Holyoke. (time and day is subject to change)
Wednesdays, 9am -1:15pm (+additional events):Tutor-mentor students at Peck Middle School in Holyoke to support their academic preparation and success.
Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:30pm - 6:30pm: Tutor-mentor middle school students at the CHOICES-STEP after school program.
Mondays and Wednesday, 4pm - 8pm: Tutor-mentor middle school students and implement Science, Engineering and Techonology material to the South End Community Center afterschool program (Springfield). (Time subject to change)
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am - 12:45pm: Tutor-mentor middle school students at Peck Middle School in Holyoke to support their academic preparation and success.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:30pm - 6:30 pm: Tutor-mentor middle school students at the CHOICES-STEP after school program.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:30pm - 6:30 pm:Tutor-mentor middle school students and implement Science, Engineering and Techonology material to the New North Citizens Council after school program (Springfield).
Transportation is provided. Note that unless special arrangements are made, you must commit to this course for both the fall 2009 and the spring 2010 semesters.
This course is hosted in collaboration with the University Provost's Office.
Individualized For-Credit Opportunities & Paid Internships for 2009-2010:
In addition to the Student Bridges course, we offer individualized volunteer, internship or independent study opportunities, and we can help to place you with a range of programs in Holyoke, Springfield and the surrounding area.
Student Bridges also hires a team of programmatic staff each year. We are looking for dedicated student staff with an interest in social justice and college access/success to join our team. If you are interested in applying please download our:
Student Bridges is accepting
applications until May 4, 2010 for various part-time undergraduate positions.
To apply, please complete an application form and submit to
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Please specify which positions for which you are
applying. For more information, please email, call (413) 545-7676 or visit the
Student Bridges office at 306 Student Union. Selected students will be
contacted for an interview.
The following positions are available in the coming 2010-2011 year:
Undergraduate Programmatic
Coordinator and Assistant Undergraduate Programmatic Coordinator: This position provides overall
administrative support for the Student Bridges agency in accord with directives
from the Board. This position works closely with the Graduate Coordinator
and/or Director to manage the overall Student Bridges budget, supervise and
mentor site coordinators and interns, chair staff and advisory board meetings,
coordinate Student Bridges events and projects, and support the program’s
overall evaluation and sustainability.
Policy Advocacy Coordinator: The position works closely with the
Programmatic Coordinators and/or Director to develop and lead campaigns related
to the agency’s mission. Efforts may include college access, college
affordability, student voice in university decision-making, and inclusive
campus-community partnerships.
Assistant Community Outreach & College Awareness Coordinator (COCA): This position assistant the
Community Outreach and College Awareness Coordinator. He/she works closely with
Student Bridges staff, campus offices, student groups, and community
organizations to initiate and coordinate Student Bridges events, projects,
tours, workshops, trainings, and other events. In addition, this position
supervises and mentors any interns or volunteers working on Student Bridges’
programming.
Partner Site Coordinators: This position coordinates a team of
UMass student tutor-mentors to work at their designated partner site. The
position acts as a liaison between staff from their designated partner site and
the Student Bridges coordinators. This position additionally supports the
Graduate and Undergraduate Programmatic Coordinators to develop and implement
trainings and related activities.
Sites include Peck school-day
support in a 1:4 mentor: student ratio; after-school club support through the
CHOICES program; college workshops with high school youth; and,
science/engineering/technology-based tutor-mentoring for Springfield middle
school students.
Retention Coordinator: This position collaborates with, and
builds relationships between, the agency, student organizations and various
campus offices and resources to advocate for and provide greater support for
underrepresented students currently attending the University. This position
works closely with other Student Bridges staff to further expand the program’s
support for retaining first-generation students, ALANA students, transfer
students, non-traditional students, and other underrepresented students.
Student Bridges Accountant: This position provides overall
financial documentation for the Student Bridges agency. Specifically, the
position works closely with the Undergraduate, Graduate Coordinator and/or
Director to manage staff office hours and payroll; provide day-to-day management
of Student Bridges purchasing and paperwork, support logistics for Student
Bridges operations, events and projects, and support systems for program
organization and sustainability.
Office and Transportation Coordinator: This position provides overall administrative
support for the Student Bridges agency. Specifically, the position works
closely with the Undergraduate, Graduate Coordinator and/or Director to
maintain the office and van, manage staff office hours and payroll, support
daily management of Student Bridges purchasing and paperwork, support logistics
for Student Bridges operations, events and projects, and devise systems to
support program organization and sustainability.
Development & Evaluation Assistant: This position provides support with
program development and assessment. Specifically, the position works closely
with the Programmatic Coordinators and/or Director to support the program’s
overall evaluation and sustainability.
Student Bridges Drivers:This position ensures the safe and
compliant use of the Student Bridges vehicle(s). S/he will use sound judgment
when using the Student Bridges’ vehicle, and s/he is further responsible for
fueling the vehicle as needed and maintaining the cleanliness of the vehicle’s interior.
S/he must fill out the “Application to Serve as a Student Bridges Certified
Driver”, and s/he must adhere to the Student Bridges “Driver Agreement to
Terms, Conditions, Rule and Regulations.” Candidates must be at least 21 years
old and have a valid driver’s license.
The following unpaid, credit-bearing opportunities for the following internships:
Student Bridges PR Intern: The position provides the opportunity to coordinate outreach and promotional efforts for the Student Bridges Program. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to; writing press releases to promote events on campus and in local communities, attending and providing thorough write-ups on Student Bridges sponsored events, working collaboratively with Student Bridges senior staff members to coordinate promotion for the program. 1 Credit Internship (2-3 hours per week) offered through Career Services, applicants are responsible for finding a faculty sponsor for the internship.
Additional Advocacy, Volunteer and Internship Opportunities:
Advocacy and Organizing Internships: Student Bridges can provide selective for-credit and paid internships for UMass students who use organizing and multi-media skills to advocate for increased access to higher education for underrepresented students.
Student Bridges "Ambassador" Program: Student Bridges works with a variety of "ambassadors:" UMass students who volunteer for the program several times a semester. These ambassadors help at Student Bridges events, accompany youth groups during campus tours, visit schools and community groups to discuss their experiences as college students, and generally serve as role models for potential college students.
Student Organization Resource Referral & Partnership Opportunities: Student Bridges acts as a liaison between youth groups, community organizations and schools in the Holyoke area and UMass student organizations. If your sorority, fraternity or Registered Student Organization (RSO) is planning an on-campus event and would like to invite local youth to attend, Student Bridges can help your organization outreach to local youth groups and schools. Student Bridges also provides limited co-sponsorship funds for events and programming related to the program's mission.
Students 
