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What is the Community Service Center? |
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The Community Service Center is a student-run organization with 12 different service programs. It has a volunteer base of over 1,300 people who annually contribute over 63,000 hours of service in the Greater Boston Area and around the US. |
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I want to get involved in service at college. What opportunities are there at BU? |
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BU offers many service opportunities, but the most centralized place to find the right volunteer program for you is at the Community Service Center in the George Sherman Union. They have 12 different programs that deal with a variety of issues. Whether you want to tutor local students, work at a food pantry, or spend your Spring Break in Arkansas building ramps for people with disabilities, the CSC has a program for you. |
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What is the F-Y-S-O-P program that I keep hearing about? |
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FYSOP is the First-Year Student Outreach Project, and it’s run through the Community Service Center. It provides first-year students (freshmen and transfers) the opportunity to come to campus one week early to serve in one of eight Issue Areas: Children, Disabilities, Elders, Environment, Gender Focus, HIV/AIDS, Homelessness & Housing, and Hunger. Each of these is pretty self-explanatory except for Gender Focus, which addresses body image, domestic violence, and sexual identity. 500 freshmen, 120 staff members, and 16 coordinators collectively contribute 13,000 hours of service – in a single week – each and every August.
While FYSOP is a great program, the CSC also offers 11 other programs throughout the academic year. For more information about service opportunities, visit the CSC in the GSU. |
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I don’t know how much time I will have to volunteer, but I know I want to. Is there anything temporary that I could do? |
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CSC programs vary in commitment. Student Food Rescue, for example, offers weekly food runs you can go on. Siblings requires that you commit for a full year, but allows you to set up your own schedule with the child you mentor. Alternative Spring Breaks lasts only the week of Spring Break. And, of course, there are one-time service events that are planned throughout the year. Just sign up for the CSC e-mail list and you’ll be updated weekly with local service opportunities. |
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I’m worried that my grades will go down if I get involved. Do people find it hard to juggle both? |
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Every student has his or her own limit in terms of how much he or she can juggle. Most students find that CSC programs offer a pleasant break from academics and leave them feeling better about themselves for having served the community. If you’re worried that you will have a difficult time, take a few weeks to gauge your course load and then gradually ease into a program with a low time commitment, or just stick with our one-time service opportunities that run throughout the year. |
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I didn’t do community service in high school. Do I need experience to participate in the Community Service Center? |
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No, you do not need any experience to participate in CSC programs. Some students are veteran volunteers, others have never volunteered before. Regardless, all of our programs offer training and support systems to ensure that you get the most out of your volunteer experience. |
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Can I get credit for volunteering at the Community Service Center? |
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Unfortunately, BU does not offer course credit in exchange for service with the Community Service Center. Any type of credit compensation must be cleared with the appropriate academic offices and the service must be completed through outside organizations. The Center cannot be utilized to fulfill state-mandated service, either. This type of service can be arranged through the Office of Government & Community Affairs, please contact them at 3-9095 or visit www.bu.edu/community. |
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What do the Community Service Center’s programs address? |
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The Community Service Center’s programs address a host of issues. Afterschool, Children’s Theatre, Making Music, Siblings and Wizards all address the needs of children. Voices From the Middle works with pre-teens and teens to creatively express their concerns through plays. Student Food Rescue addresses hunger. Project Hope addresses the HIV/AIDS virus and its effects on society. MAPP, or the Multicultural Advancement Partnership Program, works with refugees, immigrants and international students to enhance their understanding of English and adjust to American life. Joining Hands addresses elders’ issues and works with people with disabilities. Alternative Spring Breaks participates in home construction, environmental conservation and disaster relief projects. |
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Will involvement with the Community Service Center show up on my transcript? |
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No, extracurricular activities are not listed on your transcript. You are welcome to add participation in our programs to your resume, however. A number of our volunteers go on to become CSC Program Coordinators or Program Managers. These are great leadership opportunities that allow you to take part in planning our programs and events, and lend training and experience that is relevant to the non-profit (and for-profit) world. |
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I am definitely ready to sign up for a Community Service Center program. How does one get involved in the Community Service Center? |
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The Community Service Center holds information sessions at the beginning of each semester. Keep a lookout for the date, time and location– it will be posted around campus and on the web at www.bu.edu/csc. You can also visit the Community Service Center in the George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Avenue, open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A Program Manager will be happy to assist you in obtaining more information and filling out a membership form. |
