FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(FAQS) FOR STUDENTS
what is service-learning, and why am i doing it?
Service-Learning is a teaching and learning method that integrates critical reflection and meaningful service in the community with academic learning, personal growth, and civic responsibility. In other words, this program will give you the opportunity to learn by doing. You are doing Service-Learning either because it is a REQUIREMENT or an OPTION in one or more of your classes, and because it is a great way to give to the community while learning more in depth the topics covered in your class(es) through hands-on experience.
can i still do service-learning even though none of my classes offer it?
Because of specific KCC Service-Learning guidelines, you must be enrolled in a course at Kapi’olani Community College that offers Service-Learning as an option or requirement. You may still contact an organization that interests you and offer your service on your personal time, but unless the service is being correlated to the course through our program, it will not be recognized as Service-Learning. If you wish to see Service-Learning as a component of a certain class, talk to your professor or let our office know! We are always looking to expand connections between our program, our faculty, and the community!
what is the minimum amount of required hours?
The minimum number of hours required by our office is 20 hours per semester. However, some of our professors and community partners have different guidelines and may require a longer commitment. Also, keep in mind that if you do Service-Learning for more than one class, you may be required to do at least 30 hours if one of those classes is a 200-level class. Plan ahead and determine how many hours you will need to do a week throughout the semester so that you don’t pile up all your hours at the end of the semester - usually, students plan for at least 2-3 hours a week.
- Students in 100-level courses may do service-learning in 2 classes for a combined amount of 20 hours total. The two instructors must agree on the site/pathway. Students in two classes must address both in their final reflection.
- If a student is in a 100- and 200-level course, (or two 200-level courses) then it would be 30 hours.
- Students are not permitted to do service-learning for 3 classes. (They must choose the alternate project in one of their classes).
- No instructor in the Service Learning and Sustainability program may require students to do more hours than the policy.
why is there a minimum requirement of hours?
Service-Learning requires a minimum requirement of hours so that you have more time to achieve the learning objectives related to your service. Some of our community partners have particular requirements as well, so having a committed amount of hours also helps them plan for your time there and set their own expectations. Some of these organizations have limited resources, so it's equally important for them to know that the time and effort they dedicate to hosting service-learning students will benefit their goals too.
what if i don't finish the required hours for my site because my schedule always conflicts with the site's events and activities?
College life can be a bit overwhelming at first, as you may be dealing with your new classes, work, family, friends, and other activities - that’s why it’s helpful to plan ahead. When you choose a potential site, choose one that can work with your schedule PRIOR to beginning your Service-Learning. Schedule conflicts AFTER you have committed to a site will not only affect you, but your site, your professor, and the Service-Learning office as well. If you do not finish your required hours, you will be considered “non-compliant” to the program, which will affect your overall course grade.
i have two academic subjects offering service-learning as part of their curriculum - can i go to one service-learning site for both?
Can this particular site be linked to what you will be learning in BOTH classes? If the answer is ‘yes’ and both professors agree that your site of choice is fitting to the course, then yes! Please confirm with your two professors prior to selecting the site, as your hours requirement may be increased to 30 hours if one of your classes is at the 200 level.
i have one academic subject, can i go to more than one site to do my service-learning hours?
Because we want your Service-Learning to be as enriching as possible, you may only help at one site; splitting your hours amongst two sites will not give you as much quality time as if you were to do your hours through only one. There are a few opportunities, however, that will allow you to work with multiple sites and/or work different projects, including Mālama i nā Ahupua‘a and the Health Promotion Team.
is the service-learning orientation mandatory? does this orientation count towards my hours?
Yes, the Service-Learning Orientation is mandatory for you to begin your Service-Learning experience. This particular orientation does NOT count towards your Service-Learning hours.
i did not attend the service-learning orientation. can i still sign up?
Yes, you can still sign up, as long as you complete the online Service-Learning Orientation. Please contact the Service-Learning Office for more information, since the online orientation is only made available for a certain period of time.
how do i contact my service-learning site of interest?
Once you have chosen a site of interest, click on the "Community Partner Directory" tab on our Weebly site. Check if the site follows a certain protocol (it will be posted under the site’s description). If not, call or e-mail the listed coordinator. Make sure your e-mails and phone calls are always clear and professional in order to get a timely response. Provide your name, indicate that you are a Kapiolani Community College student who will be doing Service-learning for X class, and inform them about the best way to reach you. When communicating by e-mail, use a descriptive subject line for your message, such as "Getting Started with my Service-Learning for the Fall/Spring (choose one) Semester" to help the recipient realize that you're working on an academic timetable.
I applied to do Service-Learning at hospitals (e.g. Leahi Hospital, Kaiser Permanente), but none have gotten back to me. It’s almost the deadline to enroll in Service-Learning. What should I do?
Due to their nature, hospitals tend to have a longer process for Service-Learners to start. If you have trouble connecting with the organization of your interest, contact the Service-Learning Office as soon as possible so that we may help you connect with the organization or find other options. Also, always have a second and third choice for your site of interest. Remember - you only have one semester, and time goes by fast, so you don’t want to fall behind!
I am interested at a particular site that is close to where I live. Can I do that even though the site is not listed in your community partners?
No. Service-learning can only be done with our current community partners. No other organizations will be accepted.
what if i i finish my service-learning in 3 weeks - should i still continue?
Yes! There are many benefits to continuing Service-Learning after you have finished all required hours. Extending your Service-Learning may broaden your learning on different perspectives of issues you will encounter at your site. Some Service-Learners have also been able to apply for paid positions after they showed their drive to excel and their commitment to the organization. As a student, you may also become eligible to apply for scholarships and other awards because of your commitment to the community and to your education. Following are some awards/job opportunities that may be of interest to you:
Service-Learning Job Opportunities
Federal Work-study
UH Achievement Award for Service to the Community (please refer to our "Sources" tab for more detailed information)
President’s Volunteer Service Award (please refer to our "Sources" tab for more detailed information)
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Service-Learning Job Opportunities
Federal Work-study
UH Achievement Award for Service to the Community (please refer to our "Sources" tab for more detailed information)
President’s Volunteer Service Award (please refer to our "Sources" tab for more detailed information)
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
what are reflection workshops? are they mandatory?
Reflection workshops are informal conversational sessions organized twice a semester by the Service-Learning staff. Though they are not mandatory, they are extremely helpful to better understand the issues you are encountering at your site, and the correlation between your service and your course, which will ultimately help you with your final essay. The workshops are also helpful because they connect you with other students’ experiences. Workshops hours WILL count as part of your hours. Please check with our office for upcoming Reflection Workshops dates and times.
how do i keep track of the hours i am spending doing service-learning?
When you have completed your Service-Learning Orientation, you will receive a KSSL Registration and Waiver form. When you fully complete the registration and waiver form, submit it directly to our KSSL office or email it to [email protected]. After receiving your registration and waiver form, a KSSL Timesheet and Evaluation form will be given to you to keep track of your Service-Learning hours throughout the semester. Please take care of this timesheet since this document may be the only proof of your time spent doing Service-Learning. This timesheet MUST be received by the KSSL Service-Learning office no later than the due date as part of your compliance with the program. Please check with your professor if (s)he will need a copy of the timesheet BEFORE you return it to us.
*Due to COVID-19 precautions, all KSSL forms, and your reflection essay must be emailed to [email protected].
*Due to COVID-19 precautions, all KSSL forms, and your reflection essay must be emailed to [email protected].
I have an activity/event I am participating in at my site, but it is after the Service-Learning deadline. Can I submit my timesheet and essay after the deadline?
A timely submission secures a timely submission of your completion with the program to your professor. In very few particular occasions, we allow a late submission. Please contact your professor and our office as soon as possible if you think you may have a delay in submitting your paperwork.
Where should i submit my reflection essay?
As part of the requirement to complete Service-Learning, you must submit a 1000-word essay in a document format reflecting on your experience with Service-Learning. This essay must be submitted by email to [email protected] by the due date. The reflection essay must show how your Service-Learning was directly tied into your course of study and must include at least one or more United Nations SDGs.
*Due to COVID-19 precautions, all KSSL forms, and your reflection essay must be emailed to [email protected].
*Due to COVID-19 precautions, all KSSL forms, and your reflection essay must be emailed to [email protected].
my instructor has a different format for the essay. which format should i use?
In this case, you must use the format your professor designed, and you may submit a copy to us. You DO NOT need to write two different essays, unless you have more than one Service-Learning course and the professors have different specific guidelines. Please check with your professors ahead of time if (s)he has a different prompt.