The California State University is one of seven institutions in the nation to win the Higher Education Award for Leadership in National Service. The Corporation for National Service gave the award in an announcement on January 17.

The Corporation for National Service is a sponsor of several service programs across the nation. These programs include AmeriCorps, the National Senior Service Corps and Learn and Serve America.

According to CSU Public Affairs Spokesperson Ken Swisher, the honorees “engage student volunteers and work-study students in efforts like the America Reads Challenge, strengthen the role of service-learning in their curricula, and support student and faculty members? interest in service in a variety of ways.”

More than 135,000 CSU students throughout the 23-campus system perform a total of about 33.6 million hours of community service annually, Swisher said. This is a minimum wage value of approximately $193.2 million.

“California State University faculty, students and staff traditionally have been active participants in their communities. Recently, the CSU has put an even greater emphasis on service learning because of the benefits it provides for both our students and our communities,” said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. “Service learning and community service improve the quality of our communities, instill in students the value and satisfaction that comes from contributing to society, and help students learn more about themselves.”

CSU is the only California institution to win this award. Other award recipients are Frostburg State University, Institution for Higher Learning, Portland State University, Temple University, University of Montana, and University of Notre Dame.

The CSU was specifically acknowledged for responding to “Governor Gray Davis? call to make community service a requirement for all students enrolled in California public institutions by developing service-learning courses and offices at all 23 campuses.” Sacramento State offers a wide selection of service-learning courses. The Office of Community Collaboration strives to match University resources and needs with those of the community.

According to Dr. Charlotte Cook, OCC Coordinator, there are eight to nine new projects this semester and approximately 15 this year. Professors commit to the projects and apply them to their classes.

One example of this is Education-Teacher Education 103, “Tutoring Elementary Students in Reading.” This class, a part of the America Reads Challenge, teaches basic tutorial skills. Once training is complete, the student is placed at a Sacramento Metropolitan Area Reading Tutors (SMART) Kids tutoring center at an elementary school close to campus and tutors two children in remedial reading, two hours a week.

According to Dr. Noreen Kellough, EDTE professor, there are several benefits to this service-learning program. First, courses are three units that can be applied to upper division general education. Second, the course basis is on four hours of service learning a week that omits any papers or final exam. Third, community service looks good on a job application or resume. Finally, the student is “one on one with a child that really needs their help,” Kellough said.

Service learning courses are still open, Kellough said. To receive more information, see the class schedule for course offerings or visit the OCC Web site at www.occ.csus.edu.