CESP Blog

Confronting Privilege in Community Work
This RAP session will consider how we deal with privilege in our personal lives as well as in our community work. Although different types of privilege will be considered, the session will focus on white privilege and class privilege.
We all deal with privilege and inequality in some way through our community work, so students doing all types of community work are encouraged to attend.

Time/Day: Thursday, March 13th 3-5 PM
Place: Armory 116

Public Health Care and Community Service
This session will focus on how individuals can make a lasting impact on the lives of an entire community through public health work. Participants will work on translating their knowledge of health care problems into a hands-on experiences that serves the specific needs of the community.
Students that have been involved in this type of work are strongly encouraged to attend and share their experiences with the group. For those who are interested in getting more involved, there will be a list provided of nonprofit agencies involved in public health along with other resources.

Time: Wednesday, April 2nd 4-6 PM
Place: Nicholson 120

Connecting to Justice Through Spirituality
Using circle processes and dialogue, we will learn about each others’ connection to social justice. How did we get “turned on� to justice work? Who were our mentors? And how does spirituality play into this connection? What can we do as individuals or communities to better support his work through spirituality? All are welcome- please bring readings, song, teachings or other things you’d like to share with the group.

Time: Friday, April 11th 11 AM -1 PM
Place: Appleby 219

Food Matters: Hunger, Culture, Access, Health, and Social Justice
At this RAP session we will reflect on Food and the many different roles it plays building communities. Community gardens, food shelves, restaurants, soup kitchens, grocery stores, and even our own kitchens and dinning rooms are all important pieces that make up the diverse communities in the Twin Cities. This will be an opportunity to discover the connections between your work and food justice. You will also learn more about organizations working against the inequalities around food.

Time: Wednesday April 23rd 12-2 PM
Place: FolH 116

Community Engagement? Service Learning in the Global South
What does it feel like to be a foreigner? To not know the language of the community you’re “serving?� How does this affect the way the community views you? This session will focus on the experiences of students who have or are planning to do community work in the “Global South,� or developing countries. Students who have participated in MSID, HECUA or other study abroad programs are particularly encouraged to attend.

Time: Thursday, May 1st 2-4 PM
Place: PeikH 155

Integrative Community Engagement Projects
This semester we have 22 students completing the Scholars Program final project, and they’d like to share their experiences with you! This session will consist of short presentations by some of this semester’s ICEP students, a discussion, and tips for getting started on your final project. This session is open to all but is especially recommended for students planning to complete their ICEP in the next year.

Time: Wednesday, May 7th 3-5 PM
Place: NichH 120

To register for RAP Sessions, click here.

Posted by cesp at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Scholars Program is open to all degree-seeking undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. To enroll, you must have at least four semesters (two years) left before graduating. We encourage you to enroll as early as possible.

Benefits
Official Recognition:

* A certificate of recognition from the University of Minnesota

* Community Engagement Scholar notation on your official academic transcript

* Acknowledgement of your accomplishment listed in the commencement program

* A cord of distinction to be worn at commencement

* A special recognition reception honoring Scholars Program participants

Additional Benefits:

* Structured approach to making a difference in the community

* Opportunities to connect with other students, community organizations, faculty, and staff

* Quality skills development including critical thinking, decision making, flexibility, and intercultural competency

* Opportunity to design and actively participate in your undergraduate course work

* Career exploration and development

Program Requirements

1. Meetings with Advisors - Meet with a Scholars Program advisor once per semester.

2. 400 community engagement hours - Perform 400 hours of community engagement addressing social issues and community needs throughout your undergraduate career at the University of Minnesota. Community engagement includes direct, indirect, research, and advocacy experiences. More about hours.

3. 6 reflections on community engagement experiences - Complete a total of six Reflections throughout fulfilling the 400 Community Engagement hour requirement. Scholars Program advisors are available to discuss the variety of ways that you can approach completing this requirement. Options include: written reflections, group reflection sessions (RAP sessions), creative projects, and presentations.

4. 8 credits of service-learning course work- Choose from a variety of designated service-learning courses or explore alternatives to designated courses.

5. Integrative Community Engagement Project (ICEP) and Seminar - Choose a project to be completed for a community organization. This project should be based on your academic interests and done in response to a community-identified need. The process of planning for and completing the ICEP requires you to participate in a one-credit ICEP Seminar, meet periodically with your ICEP Advisory Team, and complete a 5-page ICEP Summary paper.

You'll also be asked to participate in one of our regularly offered trainings.

To learn more about the Community Engagement Scholars Program or how to enroll, register for and attend a Scholars Program Info Session! Info Sessions are offered frequently throughout Fall and Spring semesters each school year. You'll learn all the details of the program, have plenty of time to ask questions, and can decide if it's a good fit for you. After attending, you'll be able to enroll.

Posted by cesp at 1:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)