Community Service Opportunities for Students
The University encourages community service supporting students who aim to develop an awareness of social issues and have a desire to contribute to their solution rather than their perpetuation. Many of the mentioned clubs and organizations include service as an integral part of their mission and offer numerous service opportunities for the community.
The Office of Student Engagement coordinates SU Service Saturdays and Sundays, offering students the opportunity to serve in the greater Baltimore community throughout the year. Transportation for these events are provided and are open to all students. Additionally, the Center for Environmental Stewardship coordinates many environmental service opportunities including stream cleanups and Leave Steve Green, SU’s green move-out program which has diverted over 17,000 pounds of food, clothing, and household items from landfills and donated them back to the community.
Formal service-learning opportunities have been developed within the curriculum of the University and are incorporated into classes that are labeled service-learning or one-credit options. These service-learning opportunities allow students to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in an authentic way to meet genuine community needs. These classes integrate meaningful service with academic instruction and reflection while providing students with the resources to be civically, socially, and culturally engaged.
Mustangs Make a Difference Day (MMDD) is a campus-wide day of service designed to carry on the tradition of "Building Community Day" without the need for students to travel off-campus. This "Day to Serve" is a way for students, faculty, and staff to make a positive difference while furthering their commitment to the University value of "promoting a sense of community". MMDD has run successfully since fall 2015 with over 800 students participating annually.