The Center for Service and Learning reports that almost 4,000 students contributed nearly 75,000 hours to 252 community partner organizations through service learning classes offered by 123 faculty members—all-time high numbers for the campus. These figures do not include hundreds of thousands of hours contributed by community work study and community service scholarship students and by professional school students in field work, internships, and practica.
One of the largest programs of its kind in the country, IUPUI’s Sam H. Jones Community Service Scholarship Program recognizes students for service contributions to their high school or community and supports their continued involvement in service and leadership at IUPUI. Service experiences range from providing art lessons at Indy Parks and Recreation to volunteering at the Indianapolis Zoo. In 2007-2008, the 180 Sam Jones Scholars contributed an estimated 18,590 hours of service to the Indianapolis community. The program is administered by the Center for Service and Learning.
Since 1997, the America Reads and America Counts programs have placed IUPUI federal work-study students in IPS schools, where they provide free reading and math tutoring to disadvantaged children. Last year, IUPUI allocated some 36 percent of its institutional federal work-study funds to these community work-study placements, supporting 114 students who provided 11,830 hours of tutoring to local youth. Teacher feedback surveys indicated that 81 percent of students served improved their reading levels, while 77 percent improved their math skills. The programs are coordinated by the Office of Community Work Study in the Center for Service and Learning in collaboration with the Office of Student Financial Aid Services in the Division of Enrollment Services.
