Student Volunteers, Service and UT

A recent survey by the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service showed that seventy-four percent of the undergraduate student population at UT does volunteer service in the community. So, we know college students DO volunteer, but why do they volunteer? What do college students like about volunteering?

• What Do Student Volunteers Want?
• Where Do Student Volunteers Come From?
• How Can I Recruit Student Volunteers?
• Where Else Can I Find Student Volunteers?
• How Can I Retain Student Volunteers?
• Why Does UT Support Service?

What do Student Volunteers Want?

College students share an idealistic view for a better world. This simple fact makes their service different to that of regular volunteers and allows us to understand what student volunteers really want. They:

• want to see IMPACT
• want to get AHEAD
• want POSITIVE reinforcement
• crave ORDER
• want it SHORT & SWEET

Where do Student Volunteers Come From?

College students volunteer for several reasons. Three of which are: because they want to, need to or are required to do so. Therefore, student volunteers come from:

• Special programs
• On their own
• Student Organizations
• Fraternity / Sorority
• Service Groups
• Judicial Requirement
• Need X hours by Y
• Service Learning

How can I Recruit Student Volunteers?

• Post your agencies needs on our database
• The Daily Texan, UT's student newspaper
• Annual Campus Events
• Contact student organizations (SALD)

Remember that to recruit student volunteers, agencies must keep in mind four things:

• Appeal to what they want
• Transportation, "Know thy Metro"
• Know who YOU want
• FOOD!

Where else can I Find Student Volunteers?

There are several colleges and universities in the Austin and surrounding areas where agencies may find student volunteers willing to help the community. These colleges and universities are:

• UT Austin
• Texas State University
• St. Edward's University
• Austin Community College
• Huston-Tillotson College
• Concordia University Austin
• Southwestern University
• Texas A&M University

How can I Retain Student Volunteers?

As long as student volunteers are convince that their service is making a difference for someone and they have time to keep serving, volunteers will return. However, it is important to remember to:

• Build a relationship with the volunteers!
• Be organized
• Limit idle time
• Contract
• Understand each other
• Reflect with volunteers about their service

Why does UT Support Service?

The basis for UT's support of community service lies within its core purpose of transforming "lives for the benefit of society." UT officials value that service leads to

• Civic and social development
• Engaged citizens
• Enhance academic education
• Change in behaviors
• Civic participation after graduation
• Community impact

Within civic and social development, student volunteers find confidence, competency, and a likable self image.

• Internal Locus of Control
• Being able to make a difference
• Social Comfort
• Group work skills
• Social Sensitivity

Through service, student volunteers develop a value for

• Team Responsibility
• Social Responsibility
• Civic Responsibility

Student volunteers also go through academic and cognitive development. They acquire

• Basic Academic Skills
• Specific Subject Knowledge
• Critical Thinking skills
• Engagement in learning

Service also helps students with

• Career Exploration
• Job-Related Skills