One of Canada’s largest private foundations has given nearly a million dollars to the University of Ottawa to help it expand its innovative Community Service Learning (CSL) Program.
The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation has granted $956,111 to the University. The funding boosts a program that is already one of Canada’s most comprehensive experiential learning programs.
“The foundation’s generosity is an endorsement of the concept of service learning, which is so valuable and benefits many community organizations and students,” says Professor Jeff Keshen of the University’s history department and one of the creators of the program.
Service learning allows students to volunteer with community organizations in the National Capital Region. In addition to valuable experience, students receive course credits for the work they do and the community organizations benefit from the energy and talents of the students.
Students may apply for the CSL Student of the Year Award that will cover one student’s tuition fees for the academic year, as well as $1,000 that the recipient can designate to the community organization in which they volunteered. Moreover, students can apply for up to $2,500 to support costs to initiate substantive and innovative service learning projects.
In addition to supporting students, the Community Service Learning Program offers opportunities for faculty. A grants program provides 10 awards annually of up to $5,000 each for participating faculty or community groups. Awards could also be used to support a professor’s research activities; to cover travel expenses when presenting papers and/or findings at a CSL conference; or to hire a research assistant to help develop a CSL initiative. The deadline to apply for the 2007-2008 academic year is September 30.
The Professor of the Year Award recognizes outstanding CSL involvement. The winning professor designates $5,000 to the community organization of his or her choice connected to the CSL Program.
For more information, visit the
Student Information Academic Support Service web site or contact Jeff Keshen, manager, Experiential Learning Service, 613-562-5800, ext. 2729 or
keshen@uOttawa.ca.
