ACE

## Active Community Engagement (ACE)

Credit Proposal Form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CGu\_L7PJtKJcAhC2zLvF0ggjMzNPpUK4eSoPMqlCa84/viewform?edit\_requested=true

Attendance Form - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R7WS2EVwSXRIyXCzZT\_Q-oCe63Cbhs6LaBiPLIzdcWs/edit

### ACE Advisory Board Information

#### Mission of the ACE Advisory Board

Our mission is to work together as students, faculty and staff to ensure that everyone on campus has ample opportunity to engage as a member of the school, the town, and the world at large. The ACE board ensures that the ACE program has clearly defined guidelines and communicates to the college community. We are driven by the idea that every individual has the power and the influence to affect society. By encouraging people to actively involve themselves in their social as well as academic education, the ACE program enables them to expand their world view and prepare them for lives of contribution in the Simon's Rock tradition.

#### Definition Of A.C.E. Areas

##### **Athletics and Recreation**

Participation on a team, athletics class, dance class or other school or student sponsored physical activity can meet ACE Athletics and Recreation requirements. All ACE athletics programs are inclusive, open to all regardless of experience.

##### **Health And Wellness**

Programs in the Health and Wellness area will provide students with resources and tools to make more informed decisions regarding public and personal health, both physical and emotional. These lectures, discussions and activities will not only address prevention but also respond to specific situations. Health and Wellness programs will explore and educate the campus community on issues of health and medical diversity.

##### **Participation and Service**

The Participation and Service segment of the ACE program can be fulfilled through two avenues. The first is through independent or group volunteer service which does not fulfill an academic or job requirement. The second is through attending lectures or events which directly deal with community issues such as campus or global diversity.

##### Astin's Theory of Involvement

The ACE Advisory Board feels that we should include this Student Development theory on Student involvement because it really speaks to the purpose of the ACE program and why we feel it is beneficial for our students and their holistic development.

#### **ASTIN'S THEORY OF INVOLVEMENT**

Astin's (1984) theory of involvement posits that students learn more the more they are involved in both the academic and social aspects of the collegiate experience. Students who are involved devote significant energy to academics, spend time on campus, participate actively in student organizations and activities, and interact often with faculty. On the other hand, uninvolved students neglect their studies, spend little time on campus, abstain from extracurricular activities, and rarely initiate contact with faculty or other students (Astin, 1984). Importantly, the most persuasive types of involvement are "academic involvement, involvement with faculty, and involvement with student peer groups" (Astin, 1996, p. 126). This theory is consistent with student-centered teaching approaches in that the student plays an integral role in determining her or his own degree of involvement in various educational activities.

Hunt, S.K. (2003). Encouraging student involvement: An approach to teaching communication. Communication Studies, Summer 2003. Retrieved From: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi\_qa3669/is\_200307/ai\_n9297675/ on 10/4/11