1. Civic Engagement Activities
Scholars will select one of two options to complete civic engagement hours:
- 25 hours track – A great option for students who want to commit to civic engagement but have more limited time or do not wish to fulfill the Local and Global Perspective requirement.
- 45 hours track – A great option for students who want to demonstrate their strong commitment to civic engagement. For those interested, successful completion of the 45-hour Scholars track satisfies the Local and Global Perspective requirement, which is part of CWRU’s Unified General Education Requirements (UGER).
- Scholars can change the track they are completing at any time.
Scholars are required to complete civic engagement activities that occur between August 5, 2024, and May 8, 2025. These hours must be logged through the Hours Submission Form individually by date completed, rather than in a single entry at the end of the year.
CCEL believes there are many ways to work toward Social Change and the Civic Engagement Activities outlined below are eligible to count towards a Scholar’s hours. Please use these as examples of activities, not required activities. Scholars can complete all of their hours within just one of these forms OR through a combination of forms; there is no minimum or maximum requirement for how many hours should be completed within each form or with a specific organization.
If you are unsure if an activity can count towards your civic engagement activity hours, please contact Erin Corwin, with questions.
Addressing immediate needs by providing assistance, often through nonprofits, schools, and public agencies.
- Completing an in-person or remote/virtual volunteer project (paid or unpaid) with a nonprofit, school, or public agency.
- Participating in a service activity coordinated by CCEL. Stay tuned to CCEL’s CampusGroups page for upcoming dates.
- Time spent volunteering through a student organization or CWRU sponsored program that has a direct benefit on a nonprofit, school, or public agency.
- Course-related required service-learning or clinical hours with a nonprofit, school, or public agency.
- Within reason, local transportation time to get to and from your service site.
Supporting an idea or cause through public and private communications and collecting evidence to support one’s position. Raising public awareness of civic causes and issues.
- Time spent planning, prepping for, publicizing, and carrying out an educational event about a community/civic cause to raise awareness.
- Participating in a task force, advisory group, or student organization that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion to make CWRU or other local communities in which you live more welcoming and equitable.
- Time spent meeting with and/or outreaching to stakeholders to talk with them about a civic cause of concern to you to raise awareness and build a coalition.
- Writing and submitting letters to the editor or op-eds about a civic issue of concern to you.
- Calling, writing, emailing, or meeting with your elected official or other decision makers concerning a civic cause you care about.
- Signing and/or promoting a petition for a civic cause.
- Participating in a protest/demonstration about a civic cause.
Donating money to increase the well-being of humankind, advance another social good, or support nonprofit or community organizations.
- Time spent personally donating or raising funds for a cause you care about that benefits a nonprofit, school, or community organization.
- Promoting a fundraiser for a nonprofit, school, or community organization on social media.
- Time spent participating in a fundraising event for a nonprofit, school, or community organization.
- Time spent calling/writing family to solicit donations for a nonprofit, school, or community organization.
- Organizing, promoting, and/or soliciting donations for a supply drive.
- Preparing and dropping off personal donations for a supply drive.
Mobilizing others to participate in and influence public policy through formal political channels – and participating yourself.
- Serving as a poll worker.
- Organizing get-out-the-vote activities.
- Registering others to vote. *While time spent registering yourself to vote and voting is not eligible to be counted towards civic engagement hours, CCEL is happy to support students with election and voter resources to help you engage in this important way.
- Collecting signatures to get a candidate or issue on the ballot, campaigning on behalf of a candidate or issue.
- Time spent planning, prepping for, publicizing, and carrying out a political education event.
- Internships or volunteering in an elected official’s office.
*While holding an elected position in a CWRU student organization is a valuable leadership opportunity, “political engagement” in Civic Engagement Scholars refers to off-campus, community positions and elections.
Strengthening the capacity of local residents and associations to work together by supporting opportunities for interpersonal connection. Bringing people together to act collectively in their shared interest or toward a common goal.
- Join CCEL for CWRUinCLE excursions to explore and better understand Cleveland neighborhoods and assets and meet with community changemakers. Stay tuned to CCEL’s CampusGroups page for upcoming dates.
- Time spent serving on non-CWRU affiliated nonprofit governing, Young Professional, or advisory council boards.
- Participating in block club events or other meetups of community-based civic groups.
- Engaging in student-local resident discussion meetings and/or gatherings.
- Actively engaging in dialogues that help you build community with others to make your campus or Cleveland community a more inclusive and equitable place.
2. Education
Attend two Education Programs related to responsible civic engagement and connection to community. First time Scholars will attend a Kick-Off program which will count as one Education Program and returning Scholars will attend two Education Programs.
Eligible Education Programs are listed below by the month they occur. More opportunities taking place during the fall and spring semester will be added as they are approved through the end of the program year in May 2025. After completing an approved program/event it should be submitted using the Education Programs Form.
If you have questions about this requirement, please contact Erin Corwin.
Propel Ohio – limited to invited students
October 4, All-day | University of Dayton
Developing People, Power, and Partnership: A Community & CWRU Conversation
October 12, 11:00–2 p.m. | East Cleveland Public Library, 14101 Euclid Ave.
How to Disagree with Those We Care Most About
October 14, 7:00–8:30 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center, Ballroom A
Unify America's Deep Dive Conversation
October 22, 24, and 29 | Virtual w/multiple topics and times
Toxic: A Black Woman's Story Film Screening + Facilitated Lunch Discussion
October 25, 12:30–2 p.m. | Thwing Center Ballroom
Non-Violent Communication (NVC) Method Training
October 25, 12:30–2 p.m. | OMA Office, Sears 409
Social Justice Institute Intergenerational Think Tank
October 26, 27, 28 | Case Western Reserve University
*Attendance at the Film Screening or one Panel Discussion (including the Luncheon) will be counted and can fulfill a maximum of 1 Ed. Program.
Muslim/Arab Identity & Islamophobia
October 30, 12:30–2 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center, Senior Classroom
Hard Conversations: Mental Health of College Students
November 13, 7:00-8:30 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center, Ballroom A
Advancing Religious Pluralism: Bridging Campus Divides in a Time of Prejudice and Polarization
November 21, 12:30–2 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center, Senior Classroom
3. Final Reflection
In addition to participating in written or in-person reflection experiences as part of all-Scholars trainings, Scholars will also be required to complete a written a final reflection about their overall experience in the program. The reflection submission form will be sent upon successful completion of the selected hours track.