Center for Service Learning

The Southern University Center for Service Learning is designed to provide an integrated service-learning program into the academic curricula of all students. In 1990 the Southern University Board of Supervisors passed a requirement whereby all undergraduates must take a Service-Learning course which will render 60 clock hours of community service as a prerequisite for graduation. Promoting civic responsibility while providing opportunities for students to serve the local community are two of the major purposes of the program.

Southern University students currently volunteer in many ways addressing a number of complex and multi-faceted issues. Over the past five years, the Center for Service Learning has established partnerships with over 200 community, governmental, civic, and non-profit organizations in seven parishes addressing a variety of health, human services, education, youth and public safety issues. Students have tutored hundreds of elementary and secondary school students, served the elderly in hospitals and nursing homes, counseled HIV positive patients, worked with public housing residents, cared for pre-schoolers in four Head Start programs, and planted trees to beautify communities. They have also worked with children of battered women, assisted first-time offenders to receive GEDs and performed lead poisoning testing for infants.

Mission Statement

The Southern University Center for Service Learning is designed to provide an integrated service learning program into the academic curricula of all students. In 1990 the Southern University Board of Supervisors passed a requirement whereby all undergraduates must render 60 clock hours of community service as a prerequisite for graduation. Promoting civic responsibility while providing opportunities for students to serve the local community are two of the major purposes of the program.