1. Civic Engagement Activities
Scholars will select one of two options to complete civic engagement hours:
- 45 hour 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). Please note: you are not required to use the Scholars 45 hour track in this way, it is completely optional.
- 25 hour track – A great option for students who want to commit to civic engagement but have more limited time.
- Scholars can switch the track they are completing at any time.
Scholars are required to complete civic engagement activities that occur between August and May. 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.
Addressing immediate needs by providing assistance, often through nonprofits, schools, and public agencies.
- Completing an in-person or remote/virtual volunteer project 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 an off-campus nonprofit, school, or public agency.
- Course-related 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 an advocacy event that increases your understanding of and engagement in civic causes and issues.
- 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.
Donating money or materials to increase the well-being of humankind, advance another social good, or support nonprofit or community organizations.
- 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 working on community-based issues.
- 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 public policy through formal political channels – and participating yourself. Please note that CWRU and CCEL are non-partisan.
- Serving as a poll worker.
- 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.
- Time spent planning, prepping for, publicizing, and carrying out a political education event.
- 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
All Scholars will particpate in two Education Programs related to responsible civic engagement and connection to community.
Information regarding Education Programs including attendance requirements will be communicated with Scholars via email as available.
3. Final Reflection
In addition to participating in written or in-person reflection experiences as part of the Education Programs, Scholars are required to complete a brief final reflection about their overall experience in the program.
The reflection submission form will be sent upon successful completion of the selected hours track.