UCSC staff support student efforts to launch and lead projects that help their peers engage with local community organizations and residents. Support might include project consultation and advising, turning an organization into a Community Service Registered Student Organization (CSRSO), or securing funding from Student Government’s Community Service Fund.
PROJECT CONSULTATION & COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Student leaders can speak with UCSC staff for advising on community-based project considerations including:
· Relationship-building with community partners
· Goal-setting and project/curriculum design
· Evaluating impact and outcomes
· Strategies for peer-to-peer leadership
· Transitioning, sustaining, and sunsetting projects
· Navigating on- and off-campus resources
Project leaders can reach out to Nick Currie at ncurrie@uchicago.edu
COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECT WORKSHOPS
UCSC offers bi-quarterly workshops and trainings aimed at community-based project leaders. Topics include community engagement best practices, managing peer volunteers, and assessing outcomes, among others. Visit our Events page to learn about upcoming offerings.
BECOMING A CSRSO
For many student-led projects, becoming an RSO is an effective pathway for sustaining and supporting an ongoing opportunity. Prospective Community Service RSOs should familiarize themselves with the Center for Leadership and Involvement’s timeline and application process for becoming an RSO and reach out to Nick Currie at ncurrie@uchicago.edu no later than one month prior to the application submission deadline.
COMMUNITY SERVICE FUND
The UCSC supports the efforts of The Community Service Fund (CSF), a Student Government (SG)-led funding body that allocates part of the Student Activities Fee toward community-focused events. All RSOs are eligible to apply for this funding. CSF supports activities designed to improve the quality of life of the Chicago community, as well as national and international communities.
The CSF is only open to RSOs; however, the UCSC periodically provides limited funding support to other student-led community-based or community-engaging projects. Email Nick Currie ncurrie@uchicago.edu with questions.
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