Community Service

The community service opportunities offered by the Division of Student Affairs cultivate effective partnerships with community organizations to facilitate service projects and programs to address the needs of the community. Service also encourages the personal growth of UVA Wise students. 

Definitions

Community Service: The act of using a person’s time and skills to benefit and better the community, while meeting actual needs of the community.  

Volunteer: A student or College employee engaged in any type of service defined below. Student Affairs partnerships are aimed to recruit student volunteers. 

Community Partner: Community agencies that partner with UVA Wise to provide community service opportunities that meet the guidelines for community service.  

Students who use their time and skills in community service:

• Gain hands-on experience by connecting and contributing to the community in which they live. 
• Learn about the social, political, or cultural structures within our community.
• Develop civic responsibility and strengthen leadership skills.
• Build professional networks by connecting with community leaders.

Community Service Guidelines For Students 

• A volunteer may not be paid or compensated in any way for the duration of the service or project.  
• Service may be performed on or off campus to be counted for service hours. Hours can be completed through a club, organization, or course work. Internships (paid or unpaid), employment, and working at a personal family business will not count as service hours. 
• Service must be supervised by a community partner and be provided in a safe environment that promotes learning for the volunteer. A representative from the community partner organization must be present at the service site for the duration of the project. Volunteers may not be directly supervised by family members. 
• Service locations may include, but are not limited to, non-profit agencies, public, faith-based, campus, or community-based organizations that meet any of the following goals or purposes: 
• Improving the quality of life for community residents; 
• Meeting the needs of community residents; or  
• Fostering civic responsibility. 
• Service is not appropriate with private individuals/families. This includes but is not limited to tutoring, babysitting/nannying, and pet care. 
• Monetary or in-kind donations are being considered. In 2023, an hour of service is equal to $31.80 in Virginia. Any donation must meet an hour’s worth of service to qualify to be considered. Donations wishing to be counted for service hours should include a receipt(s) with purchase prices. 
• If a volunteer helps collect/distribute donated goods, the time spent can be considered as service hours.  
• Donations are stackable up to 10 hours work of service per semester. 

Guidelines for Community Partners

Community partners have the opportunity to impact a student’s educational experience at UVA Wise, and can help students learn about the community and culture of the local area as well as issues and concerns that impact the world around them. 

• Service must be supervised by a community partner and be provided in a safe environment that promotes learning for the volunteer.
  • If orientation or training is required of the volunteers, the community partner is expected to provide it. 
  • Community partners are expected to explain any risk associated with the work the volunteer will be participating in and will provide safety equipment if is required.
  • A representative from the community partner organization must be present at the service site for the duration of the project. 
  • Volunteers may not be directly supervised by family members.
• Volunteers may not be paid or compensated in any way for the duration of their service or project.
• Opportunities can be either one time or on-going.
• What information is needed to be able to volunteer (background check, finger printing, etc)? Who covers the cost of this and do the students need to go anywhere to get this completed?
• Service is not appropriate with private individuals or families. This includes but is not limited to tutoring, babysitting/nannying, and pet care.
• Student volunteers are not able to transport clients in person or agency vehicles; be alone with a client or client(s); assist with bathroom, personal hygiene or feeding related tasks; release children or other dependents to a caregiver; go door-to-door to collect information, conduct surveys, or evangelize for a person, organization, or belief system.

For more information
Office of Community Standards
Cantrell Hall, 1st floor – Student Affairs Suite
276-376-4502