About CPS Public Service Activities
A public service activity is an activity in which service, rendered to non-Tulane members (the public), is the primary goal for both the student and the sponsoring organization. All public service activity descriptions are reviewed by a Partnership Committee. If members of the Committee are unsure whether a proposed activity is public service, Public Service Internship students or Service Learning faculty members will be asked to answer the following questions and send responses to ccp@tulane.edu within 48 hours so that the Committee may reconsider approval:
- What is the specific nature of the activity to be performed?
- What is the primary goal for the student performing the activity?
- What is the primary goal for the organization sponsoring the activity?
- What are secondary benefits / outcomes of this activity? (e.g. learning outcomes /academic benefits)
Which activities are sensitive or restricted?
Activities involving Human Subjects/ Surveying
- students and faculty involved in these activities are advised to consult with the University's Institutional Review Board (IRB)
- students are advised to carry informational cards with researcher contact information which may be handed out to residents who have questions the student might be unprepared to answer
Restricted physical activities: climbing ladders, climbing on rooftops, lifting more than 60 pounds, structural work, live electrical work
- safety instructions must be documented and delivered to students, protective gear hard hats and steal-toe shoes are recommended
Students may not assign partners' service recipients into a certain level of programming based on student- conducted assessments (e.g. placement of students in appropriate English as a Second Language class).
Students may not photograph crime scenes.
Public Service credit is not issued to Tulane students for serving other members of the Tulane community (students, instructors, staff) for their or for Tulane’s benefit. Public Service benefits members of the non-Tulane community.
Voter education programs and activities are acceptable as long as they are without editorial opinion or political skew. Activities must be aimed at educating students with respect to the political process. Students can participate in campaign work, but it must be in a campaign of their choice without the university influencing which campaigns are chosen.
A list of Partners’ current Public Service Activity descriptions may be found at: http://cpsis.tulane.edu/pub/list_all_PSA.cfm
A list of Partners' profiles may be found at http://cpsis.tulane.edu/pub/list_all_Agencies.cfm.
Please direct any related questions to Amanda Buberger at (504) 862-8058 or abuberg@tulane.edu
Center for Public Service, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118 504-862-8060 cps@tulane.edu