Registration is now open for the Sixth Annual Engagement Conference, which will be held March 12-13, 2011 at Waterfront Place Hotel. The conference brings together students, faculty, and community members interested in engagement and service. There will be national keynote speakers, workshops, and hands-on service.

For more information or to register, visit http://cce.wvu.edu/conference.

Mountaineers Recycle is WE CAN’s athletic events recycling program in which WVU has partnered with the Mon. County Solid Waste Authority to collect recyclables at home football games. Volunteers meet 4 hours prior to start of game and finish right before kick-off. Each volunteer receives a free t-shirt for participation. This is an excellent way to experience the football atmosphere without attending the game. Volunteers are needed for all 7 home football games.

If you would like to volunteer, please visit http://simpleforms.scripts.wvu.edu/sf/mountaineersrecycle/

If you have any questions of or need more information, please contact Brett White in the Center for Civic Engagement at 293-8761 or by email at brett.white@mail.wvu.edu.

Whether they are helping people with AIDS in South Africa, building a house for Habitat for Humanity or helping to finish a classroom in Jamaica – many students at West Virginia University are spending their spring break giving back.

The students and faculty at WVU have several trips planned, both abroad and at home, designed to enhance their global knowledge and help others in the process. The trips will all take place during WVU’s spring break, scheduled for March 27- April 4.

“WVU students have a great history of doing service trips through their different breaks, especially spring break,” said Anna Phillips, outreach coordinator for Amizade. “This year there are even more students taking advantage of alternative spring breaks, which speaks volumes about WVU students. Just with our programs, we have more than doubled our registration.”

WVU’s Center for Civic Engagement is working with Amizade to offer a service-learning spring break. Thirteen students will travel to Jamaica, where they will work with a local Jamaican non-profit organization to finish putting a roof on a classroom.

“This elementary school previously had 40 children, aged 3-5, to one teacher. By finishing the roof, they are able to bring in another teacher,” Phillips said.

While they are there, the students will also tutor local elementary, middle and high school students in computer courses.

In addition, students will experience Jamaican culture in a rural setting by going to a sugarcane factory, swamp tour, reggae night with local youth and cooking with local host families.

The trip is being led by Fieldcrest Resident Faculty Leader Richard Montgomery.

WVU Accounting students can help!

Free Tax preparation is offered at VITA sites across the state and one is right here on campus in the WVU Accounting Department. Students in Account 591D will be preparing and filing taxes throughout tax season. The students are IRS certified. Returns can be e-filed for free and direct deposited into your bank account within 7-10 days.

If you would like to take advantage of this excellent opportunity, please call 293-7840 to schedule an appointment. The appointments take place on the 3rd floor of the B&E building and there are numerous flexible times available. Don’t wait…get your taxes done for FREE today!

Registration for the Spring SRVL 495 course is now closed. We are looking forward to a great semester!

Looking for ways to get involved this summer? The Center for Civic Engagement can help!

Camp Choosy needs volunteers to help staff their daily operations, Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers to help with their summer projects, Energy Express needs volunteers to assist with their sites in Monongalia County….

Visit http://cce.wvu.edu/summer to find a full list of opportunities.

Click below to read the current issue of the CCE Newsletter, The Link!

Check out our new Summer 2009 edition of Civically Speaking, the official podcast of the WVU Center for Civic Engagement.

Click here to listen

See you in the community!