At the current time, undergraduate students complete an hour-based service-learning graduation requirement based on a student's classification when entering FGCU:

• Students entering as freshmen or sophomores complete a total of 80 service hours before graduation.
• Students transferring into degree programs as juniors and seniors complete 40 service hours prior to graduation.

FGCU will transition to a course-based service-learning graduation requirement in Fall 2006. During the transition, students will use the graduation requirement in effect when they enter FGCU.

Service-learning experiences:

• Must be with a not-for-profit entity and done without pay.
• Must meet one or more University undergraduate student learning goals and outcomes. 
• May also meet college and program outcomes and may be required to do so for service-learning courses.

A student enrolled in a service-learning course follows directions from the faculty member teaching the course in planning a service-learning experience for that course.

Choose a service-learning opportunity:

• By visiting the EaglesConnect web site.  Students can browse the entire list of service opportunities or sort the list based on their interests and desired locations.
• By selecting from options offered in service-learning courses.
• By proposing and planning service-learning experiences for themselves.
• By participating in group activities planned by the EaglesConnect Leadership Board or other student organization.

Activities must be pre-approved by Center for Civic Engagement staff (web listings are already approved) or the faculty member teaching a service-learning course to apply to the cumulative service-learning hour requirement. 

Hours are documented using Agreement and Verifications forms, which available in the Center for Civic Engagement and in a display outside the office door when the office is closed. Normally, one form is submitted for each service-learning site. The exception is when a site is used one semester for a service-learning course and for independent service-learning the next semester. In this case, two forms will be submitted, one for the course and one for the independent hours.

ours are detailed on co-curricular transcripts.  Co-curricular transcripts are useful in preparing portfolios and are generated by student request to the Center for Civic Engagement. Final academic transcripts note the service-learning requirement has been met.