Dear Student:

The California State University (CSU) is conducting a research project, in which students who are currently enrolled in community service-learning courses in the CSU will complete pre/post-course surveys. There are approximately 30,000 CSU students now taking community service-learning courses. A community service-learning course can be defined as an academic course that provides students an opportunity to participate in organized service activities that meet community needs, while linking the community service experiences to the course content. The purpose of the survey is to assess what students are learning from these courses. Your campus is one of several campuses that has volunteered to participate in this research project.

Please take a few minutes to complete the enclosed survey. Your answers will be kept strictly confidential. Your name or any other personal information will not be revealed to anyone or appear in any report.

Please use a Number 2 pencil to mark your answers on the survey form. Make sure that you darken and fill in completely the ovals you select.

Community service is any work provided by individuals that contribute to the quality of life in the community. Community service work can be provided in several ways and for different purposes. You may be involved in community service on your own, with a group or club, or through your academic coursework. Examples can include: tree planting, mentoring youth, and teaching computer skills to senior citizens. Please keep this definition in mind when completing the survey.

You are being asked to provide the first five digits of your social security number for background information and research purposes only. No record of the first five digits of your social security number will be retained after the completion of the project. All surveys involved with this project will be destroyed by December 2003.

Thank you for taking time to complete this survey. If you have any questions about the survey, please feel free to contact the CSU systemwide Office of Community Service Learning at (562) 951-4749. Additionally, if you have questions regarding your rights as a research participant, please contact the campus coordinator of the Institutional Review Board, NAME, at PHONE NUMBER and EMAIL ADDRESS.