Item 7

ACADEMIC SENATE OF
THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY

AS-2445-99/AA
March 11-12, 1999

Support for Pending Legislation, SB 58 (Hayden)
Service Learning for Postsecondary Students

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the California State University support the establishment of a statewide service-learning center, and a service-learning grant program such as that provided in SB 58 (Hayden), Service Learning for Postsecondary Students, as introduced; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU urge the Legislature and the Governor to provide funding for service-learning centers through the proposed grants program in such a manner that the funding for the grants program be in addition to the annual budget awarded to the CSU, and not in competition with those dedicated funds; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU urge members of the Legislature and the Governor of the State of California to support SB 58 (Hayden) contingent upon appropriate funding; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU urge the Chancellor, Board of Trustees, California Faculty Association, campus presidents, and campus senates and their counterparts in the other higher education segments to support SB 58 (Hayden) contingent upon appropriate funding.

RATIONALE: The Academic Senate CSU supports innovative teaching approaches, as well the development of resources to support faculty engaged in innovative teaching approaches. SB 58 defines service learning as an innovative teaching approach that combines academic study with structured community service activity, which is carried out in the context of academic education and integrated into the curriculum. The Academic Senate CSU recognizes that service learning enhances student academic learning, provides a context for theory through practical application in the community, fosters civic engagement and career exploration, and at the same time meets the needs of California communities.

Furthermore, the Academic Senate CSU recognizes that CSU students provide over 28 million hours of service to California communities each year. Connecting this interest in service to the academic curriculum may further engage CSU students in their learning experiences.

SB 58, Service Learning for Postsecondary Students, encourages the development of service-learning programs that provide the integration of service into courses and curricula and it creates centers that serve as hubs and catalysts for the growth of service learning. The Academic Senate CSU recognizes that service-learning pedagogy is already being utilized by some CSU faculty. The development of centers would provide coordination among, and support for, the individual faculty members already using this pedagogy and would encourage other faculty to use service-learning pedagogy. SB 58 would strengthen efforts underway at each CSU campus to support faculty and students engaged in service learning. It would provide the needed coordination to develop effective partners with community organizations and other CSU faculty, including the ability to collaborate to obtain federal grants to support mutually beneficial service learning activities.

APPROVED — March 11-12, 1999