Resulting from the initiative of a group of visionary undergraduate students, the a.p.p.l.e.s. Service-Learning Program was organized and implemented in 1991. The Academic Year Program requires students to volunteer three to five hours per week for ten weeks as part of their course work. Three times during the semester, students meet in reflection sessions, led by other students, to discuss the connections between course material and community service. Students keep a journal, write papers, and discuss service in class.
Student receive a living stipend and three hours of credit.
Students attend two reflection sessions and give a final presentation. In addition, faculty members require that students keep a journal, write two or more papers, and meet individually with them to discuss the student s internship. The students spend the first part of the semester reading, writing and preparing for an intense week of service during spring break. The second part of the course debriefs the experience. Students keep a journal, conduct reflection sessions every evening, and write several reflection papers about the service experience.