Getting Started With Your Service Learning Placement

1. What is the name of the main OCELTS event where students can meet agency representatives?

The orientation session

The town hall meeting

The SERVE fair

The Community Partners Council meeting

2. Leaving your name and contact information on the agency's signup sheet at the SERVE fair automatically guarantees you a placement with that agency.

True

False

This lets the agency know you're interested in a placement, and it gives them some information about you and a way to follow up with you. It does not guarantee you a placement offer. Some agencies have more interest than they can accommodate.

Explanation

This lets the agency know you're interested in a placement, and it gives them some information about you and a way to follow up with you. It does not guarantee you a placement offer. Some agencies have more interest than they can accommodate.

3. Anyone can come to the SERVE fair.

True

False

This event is free and open to the whole community. If you are looking for an internship or group service project (or know someone who is), invite them to come to the SERVE fair with you.

Explanation

This event is free and open to the whole community. If you are looking for an internship or group service project (or know someone who is), invite them to come to the SERVE fair with you.

4. Where should you go to find a list of service learning placements which are preapproved for your course?

The Danna Center

Your course webpage on the OCELTS website

Your advisor's office

The library

Each service learning course has its own web page which contains all the information you'll need for that particular course.

Explanation

Each service learning course has its own web page which contains all the information you'll need for that particular course.

5. Agencies will contact you directly if they want to offer you a placement.

True

False

During the week following the SERVE fair, agencies will contact you via phone or email to offer you a placement. You should check your Loyola email account and your voicemails at least once a day throughout the placement offer period.

Explanation

During the week following the SERVE fair, agencies will contact you via phone or email to offer you a placement. You should check your Loyola email account and your voicemails at least once a day throughout the placement offer period.

6. There's nothing you can do to get a placement after the SERVE fair.

True

False

You should actively seek placement offers throughout the offer and acceptance period.

Explanation

You should actively seek placement offers throughout the offer and acceptance period.

7. If you don't get a placement offer from your favorite agency, what should you do?

File a grievance with the CELTS office in Bobet 113.

Nothing.

Start going to the same service learning agency as one of your friends or classmates.

Contact your backup options.

8. My performance at my placement will go into my grade in my service learning class.

True

False

Agency supervisors will complete a standardized performance evaluation for each student placed at their agency. This performance evaluation goes to your professor and is calculated into your grade.

Explanation

Agency supervisors will complete a standardized performance evaluation for each student placed at their agency. This performance evaluation goes to your professor and is calculated into your grade.

9. You can save all your service learning hours until the last month of the semester if you want to.

True

False

Although your exact service schedule is a matter of mutual agreement between you and your agency, you must spread your hours over a minimum of four weeks. Most agencies will expect you to spread your hours evenly over the whole semester or keep the same shift throughout the whole semester.

Explanation

Although your exact service schedule is a matter of mutual agreement between you and your agency, you must spread your hours over a minimum of four weeks. Most agencies will expect you to spread your hours evenly over the whole semester or keep the same shift throughout the whole semester.

10. You can contact agencies you're interested in before the SERVE Fair.

True

False

Some agencies are very popular and have limited volunteer spots. It never hurts to reach out and make contact with your favorite agencies early. This shows initiative, which is a quality many agencies seek in volunteers.

Explanation

Some agencies are very popular and have limited volunteer spots. It never hurts to reach out and make contact with your favorite agencies early. This shows initiative, which is a quality many agencies seek in volunteers.

11. If you receive multiple placement offers, what should you do?

You have to accept them all and serve at multiple agencies.

Pick the one you want and tell them you're accepting their offer.

Choose the one that offers you the placement first, then ignore all the later offers.

Tell your teacher which one you want.

You must do 2 things: (1) Tell all the agencies which offered you a placement yes or no. (2) Fill out your placement acceptance form online during the appropriate time period. Your teacher will get a list of confirmed placements for all students in the class.

Explanation

You must do 2 things: (1) Tell all the agencies which offered you a placement yes or no. (2) Fill out your placement acceptance form online during the appropriate time period. Your teacher will get a list of confirmed placements for all students in the class.

12. Once you choose the agency you like the most, you can start serving there.

True

False

You must first be offered a placement by the agency. Then you must submit an acceptance form. Once you complete preservice requirements and set your service schedule with your supervisor, you should begin serving.

Explanation

You must first be offered a placement by the agency. Then you must submit an acceptance form. Once you complete preservice requirements and set your service schedule with your supervisor, you should begin serving.

13. Where is the CELTS office?

Mercy Hall 102

Danna Center basement

Marquette 312

In the library on the 3rd floor

Bobet 113

14. If you do not successfully complete your agency's preservice requirements, what happens?

Your placement offer is rescinded and becomes void.

You need to repeat the preservice requirements when it's convenient for you.

You will be withdrawn from your service learning class.

You will lose 10 points.

15. If I don't like the placement I accepted, I can easily switch to another one.

True

False

Placements which have been offered and accepted are considered a commitment. Except in rare extenuating circumstances, placement switches are not permited.

Explanation

Placements which have been offered and accepted are considered a commitment. Except in rare extenuating circumstances, placement switches are not permited.

16. When do you have to turn in your service learning timesheet?

Twice every semester, once at midterm and once on the last day of class

Every Friday during the semester

Never, your agency supervisor will do it for you

Once every month

17. Service learning is a course assignment and needs to be prioritized over nonacademic commitments.

True

False

Service learning is not something extra. It is part of your coursework, just like writing a paper, finishing a homework assignment, or studying for a test.

Explanation

Service learning is not something extra. It is part of your coursework, just like writing a paper, finishing a homework assignment, or studying for a test.