Helping the community has never been easier at West Virginia University after the launch of a new online service management system called iServe.
The University’s Center for Civic Engagement has begun to use a new state-of-the-art software system that allows students to create a personalized account, search hundreds of available service opportunities, place themselves with agencies and projects and track their hours online.
“iServe will enhance the ability for students to make a solid connection between what they are doing in the classroom and what they do in the community,” said Kristi Wood-Turner, interim director of the Center for Civic Engagement. “As an effort to meet the growing demands of students, we have designed a format to place, track, record and organize civic engagement activities. With the addition of iServe, WVU remains one of the top innovators in civic engagement.”
Students now have the opportunity to view their recorded hours and print a record for applications, graduate schools and course requirements, among others. When hours are completed for a mandatory requirement, the system automatically notifies the appropriate office or person that assigned or is responsible for the requirement.
The system gives WVU the ability to pull hundreds of reports based on numerous variables that can then be used for grant writing, University-wide reporting requirements and national awards.
The software was created specifically for WVU by Samaritan Technologies, which was ranked No. 1 in the country for volunteer management software packages in a recent survey by TechSoup.org and Idealware.org. The system took eight months to develop and launch by Aug. 19. Samaritan has a 14-year history of innovative software and volunteer management.
“Samaritan Technologies is honored to provide West Virginia University with a state-of-the-art volunteer recruiting, management, scheduling and tracking system,” said Todd McMullin, co-founder of Samaritan Technologies. “This technology assures that WVU has joined the latest generation of social networking and community engagement. It will network the University with affiliates and streamline the communication, supervision and reporting by students to the community.
“The Service Learning components will improve the academic experience by assisting each student to conveniently report and reflect on their experiences. WVU now enjoys the most advanced technology available in the volunteer sector.”
-WVU-
CONTACT: Brett White, Center for Civic Engagement
304-293-8761 ext. 33481, Brett.White@mail.wvu.edu
td/09/20/11
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