Community Service

Community Service is an important component of the educational experience at BridgeValley.  It is defined as “Action taken to meet the needs of others and to better the community as a whole” (Campus Compact, 1998).  To qualify as a service, the student must not be paid or compensated in any way, nor may the student use any activity required within a course or program of study.  The activity must be sponsored by the college, a state/county/town/community agency, or a non-profit organization.  Service opportunities will be distributed to students weekly via email. 

SCHOOL-ORGANIZED OPPORTUNITIES:  Throughout the year, BridgeValley will host multiple school-organized service opportunities for students.  These may include blood drives, Alternative Spring Break, and Pumpkin Drop.  Students may also tutor at the Student Success Center for service hours.

NON-SCHOOL ORGANIZED OPPORTUNITIES:  Students may choose to volunteer outside of BridgeValely-organized events such as volunteering at hospitals, animal shelters, libraries, or other educational or non-profit agencies.  Babysitting or mowing neighborhood lawns is not considered an approved form of service.

Community Service Requirements

Although BridgeValley no longer requires all students to complete community service, there are certain student populations that are required to have minimum hours:
                
                WV INVESTS:  2 hours per semester
                STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS:  10 hours per school year, collectively
                ABOVE & BEYOND AWARD:  100 hours per school year
                ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:  Varies; check with your Department Chair for requirements

Students may also submit general service hours to keep on file.  At the end of the year, students who complete 100 hours of community service are eligible for the Above & Beyond Award.  Those meeting the requirement will be recognized at the annual Awards Banquet held in April.

LOGGING COMMUNITY SERVICE – BRIDGEVALLEY 
All community service opportunities must be recorded on the official BridgeValley Community Service Form.  A representative from the service organization/agency must verify the hours and sign the form.  Forms should be submitted to the Office of Student Life as they are accrued (i.e., do not wait until the end of the semester to turn everything in at once).  Forms are available online or in the Office of Student Life, located at B2000 032F or Davis Hall 402.  

Students wishing to qualify for the Above & Beyond Award must have their 100 hours submitted by April 1. 

LOGGING COMMUNITY SERVICE - WV INVESTS
Participation in the WV Invests Grant Program requires students to complete two (2) hours of community service per semester.  Students must submit a WV Invests Grant Community Service Form upon completion of the activity. A representative from the service organization/agency must verify the hours and sign the form.  Forms should be submitted to the Office of Student Life as they are accrued (i.e., do not wait until the end of the semester to turn everything in at once). Forms are available online or in the Office of Student Life, located at B2000 032F or Davis Hall 402. 

If students are submitting community service hours for the WV Invests Grant program ONLY, they do NOT have to submit a separate BridgeValley Community Service Form.  However, if students are submitting hours for both the WV Invests Grant AND a student organization or other purpose, a separate BridgeValley Community Service Form MUST also be submitted. 

Contact: [email protected]