Community Engagement and Volunteer Programs

Introduction
For more than 50 years, Binghamton University students have gained much by working as volunteers, interns, and employees in the local community. And the community has gained many dedicated, inquisitive and hardworking people, who have made significant contributions to local life.

Students undertake work in the community in many contexts. For example, students may be undertaking this work as a member of an academic class, as an intern earning academic credit, as a member of a social fraternity or a Student Association cultural organization, or as a cooperative education student earning both money and college credit.

Organizations should be aware of the many distinctions and seek clarification from the University when questions arise. It is important to remember that many students initiate project ideas independently of any University office or group.

Our Services to Host Organizations

We provide information about volunteer and civic engagement opportunities in the community and on campus. See our Events page to see if you would like to have an event listed.. Or search our Community Opportunities page to find your most description of on-going projects. Organizations that would like to be included on the Civic Engagement and Volunteer Programs website can fill out this form: Organization Form . Please contact our office for more details: 777 2811.

Definitions
Some terms used to describe students working in the community include:

INTERNS: Borrowed from the field of medicine, this term can refer to a broad range of work experiences. At BU program requirements vary depending on the student's major, status (undergrad or grad), and if the student is enrolled for credit. Organizations should be sure to stay in contact with the office referring anyone describing themselves as an intern, to ascertain expectations and requirements.

COURSE WORK: Many professors assign short "field projects" to students that require placement in a local community agency.

APPRENTICE: Although this term is rarely used at Binghamton, it often refers to a student who is pursuing a specific trade or skill.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION STUDENT: These are students (traditionally in engineering or business) who are enrolled in a program that grants credit and pays the student for work that is undertaken in the community. Often site hosts are also paid and become an integral part of the student's academic program.

STUDENT TEACHERS or STUDENT NURSES: These students may be fulfilling licensing requirements. Often, they are working as a part of their curriculum and their programs have very clear standards and protocol that are guided by state requirements for professional licensing. Supervisors are often paid and work to grade student efforts.

VOLUNTEERS: These students are unpaid, not enrolled for credit, and may or may not be affiliated with an extracurricular group or activity.

SPECIAL NOTE: Not all students are sharing information about their activities or service work with the University and may be completely unaffiliated. However, our staff is very willing to help whenever appropriate. We encourage organizations to call the our office for assistance. 777 2811

Checklist for Organizations Hosting Students or Working with Student Groups
(The following statement does not constitute legal or professional advice)

Organizations should have insurance that covers their liabilities for any activity they are sponsoring. Many organizations that work with volunteers from sources other than the University find that they have adequately addressed the liability issues involved in working with students.

Under NO circumstances are students who are characterized as volunteers (unpaid, not enrolled for credit) covered by insurance provided by the State of New York. The University sometimes carries insurance for itself and the Student Association covers itself, but individual students are NOT insured for accident, health effects, or protected as individuals against lawsuits brought by clients of public or private agencies.

Required immunizations are the responsibility of the student volunteer. Organizations need to inform students of all such requirements.

BACKGROUND CHECKS are the responsibility of HOST ORGANIZATIONS.

___________________________________

To subscribe to the BU Volunteer Programs Listserv:
Send an email to LISTSERV@listserv.binghamton.edu -
in the message body of the email type: subscribe OCCVOL-L email address Name, Example: subscribe OCCVOL-L bz12345@binghamton.edu John Doe

For questions about community service, come to the Volunteer Programs Office located in the Campus Life office, UUEast-145. Meet with our staff or send an email to mbwillis@binghamton.edu we'll be glad to help!