Cincinnatus Community Service

Service to the community, performed without thought of personal gain, is an important aspect of the Cincinnatus Scholarship Program as well as the UC|21 and Global Scholars Programs.

Cincinnatus is regarded as the ultimate model of selfless heroic deeds. As such, Cincinnatus, UC|21 and Global Scholars continue an on-going commitment in service to others that reaches past our campus boundaries to affect our neighborhoods, our city, our region, and beyond.

COMMUNITY SERVICE DEFINED
"Those services designed to improve the quality of life for community residents (general public), particularly low income individuals, or solving problems related to their needs."
      – National Community Service Act of 1990

The above description is the basis for defining scholarship renewal-acceptable community service. Further criteria used to measure the acceptability of service (rather than volunteerism) are that the service meets an unmet need and the provider of the service is not directly benefited. In cases of fund raising, the monies raised should not support an organization for which you are a member.

There is a single exception where volunteerism is accepted for service. As a means to give back to the Cincinnatus Scholarship Program, scholars can elect to volunteer at the competition day events. Further information on these activities is sent by email to scholars in December of each year.

SCHOLARSHIP RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS
Records of scholarship awardees are reviewed after spring term to see that the following criteria are met:

• 3.2 cumulative GPA,
• 10 hours of service completed for each term of scholarship funding in an academic year (up to 30 hours annually), and
• No more than 15 hours of on-campus service annually.

This average of one hour of service a week is easily met (and often exceeded) by scholars.

Students are strongly encouraged to complete service hours off-campus. To avoid further tax penalties under IRS regulations, the university must not normally pay a wage for any on-campus service you provide. Finally, on-campus service must involve a program, project or service open to the general public. 

SERVICE OPTIONS
Teaching an under-privileged child to read, building a home for a family in need, raising money for a service agency, or helping a disadvantaged individual become more self-sufficient are examples of the wide variety of service opportunities students have sought.

At the same time, sharing your talents in the course of normal activities such as tutoring a peer, mowing the neighbor's lawn, assisting at your place of worship, or babysitting are not acceptable. Political campaigns, because they assist a person who would be advancing an agenda that could be helpful to you, are also not considered Cincinnatus-acceptable service.

The Center for Community Engagement (2639 Clifton Avenue - Stratford Heights; 513-556-1559; community.engagement@uc.edu) can assist you in exploring service options. Their Web site provides listings of and links to upcoming events and offers a subscription service to their volunteer listserv. 

Because all opportunities you explore may not meet the scholarship renewal service criteria, feel free to contact the Scholarship and New Student Financial Aid Center (340 University Pavilion) at 513-556-2420 or cincinnatus@uc.edu to inquire about the acceptability of a particular activity at any time.

Diverse service opportunities provide meaningful, personally rewarding and academically relevant ways for you to fulfill your service requirement. Cincinnatus and related scholarship programs encourage you to extend yourself and assist people who are different from you to gain a better understanding of your community and help those persons who are truly in need. 

Cincinnatus, UC|21 and UC Global Scholars must submit their service hours using the Community Service Report Form*.

Service hours are to be completed between the first day of autumn term and the last day of spring term.

Students are encouraged to submit report forms throughout the academic year as their hours are completed.

The type of service provided is noted, and the scholar must sign the report form. A non-student representative of the agency or organization will also sign off on the service entry.

Forms are submitted to the Scholarship & New Student Financial Aid Center
340 University Pavilion
cincinnatus@uc.edu
513-556-2253 (fax)

You are encouraged to make a copy of your report form(s) prior to submission.