The Daily Bulletin

SUNY is providing guidance for community-based applied learning experiences during the COVID-19 crisis, including community-engaged learning and service learning. As a result, the Civic and Community Engagement Office strongly recommends REMOTE projects and experiences be developed for fall 2020 courses that incorporate community-engaged learning, service learning, civic engagement, or other experiences that normally take students into the community. There are many opportunities for remote projects and experiences that can be mutually beneficial while considering the health and safety of our students and vulnerable community members, including resource development, remote delivery, and research-based activities. We encourage you to transition these experiences to remote activities rather than cancel your community partnerships.

If you do choose to continue placing students in the community, the following must be adhered to only for in-person, on-site experiences (not for remote experiences). Faculty members must ensure that the following conditions are met before students begin on-site experiences in the community:  

• Community-engaged learning or service-learning experiences must be with a nonprofit organization or school that has been a partner to Buffalo State community-engaged learning or service learning in previous semesters.
• Partner organizations where students will be on-site must be contacted by faculty members before students’ arrival to discuss how they are following Department of Health protocols. This information must be documented and on file with the CCE prior to students being on-site. 
• A “Plan B” option must be identified and outlined in the syllabus for any student unable or unwilling to participate in the on-site experience. The CCE must have a copy of the syllabus prior to students being on-site in the community, with “Plan B” clearly articulated. 
• Prior to students being on-site, faculty members will provide and collect from each student an acknowledgment form, indicating that the student recognizes the risks involved, has an understanding of the limitations of First Amendment rights regarding mask-wearing in the community, and knows the protocol for notifying the community partner and faculty member of illnesses that arise.
• The community partner organization must return the community partner learning agreement to the CCE prior to students’ being on-site.

The CCE is here to assist with these transitions. Please contact us for remote partnership ideas and resources, as well as information about the requirements for on-site community-based experiences.