Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning
The office that connects the University to communities is the Silliman University Extension Program (SUEP) that has been renamed the Center of Community Engagement and Service Learning. Extension is one of the pillars of Silliman. Extension programs are implemented through community engagement activities responsive to the needs of partner communities. Community engagement encompasses extension or community outreach and volunteer initiatives undertaken by the different units both academic and non-academic, faculty, staff, students, and alumni who are involved in service delivery.
The University works collaboratively with other institutions and people in communities to identify the needs that are most important to these communities and together, pursue meaningful strategies to address those identified needs. The communities are active participants of the process, rather than just the subjects. Community engagement is characterized by a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge, expertise, as well as resources within the context of partnership and reciprocity. Participation, therefore, is the heart of the process. Donations enable the University to perform community-engaged services and carry out its vision, mission, and goals.
Continuing Calamity Response Program (CCRP)
When the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol and super typhoon Yolanda challenged the resiliency of the Filipino nation in 2013, SU started to take cognizance of the needs of its students from the areas that were affected. SU was conscious of their struggles, aware of how calamities pose a threat to the dream of earning a Silliman education.
SU also recognizes the need to give material, psychosocial and technical relief assistance to devastated communities, and to fortify our own campus from such events.
Relating to this, Silliman University created the “Continuing Calamity Response Program.” The establishment of this Program was confirmed by the Board of Trustees in its November 30, 2013 Special Meeting.
The Program is guided by four objectives:
- Provide financial assistance to students from the affected areas, calibrated according to need and based on availability of funds. The financial assistance comes in the form of any or a combination of the following: partial or full discounts for tuition and/or board and lodging.
- Mobilization of a team for continuing psychosocial intervention, technical assistance and service-learning activities in the communities affected.
- Reinforcement of the University’s climate resiliency in its logistical preparations, precautionary measures, infrastructure design and development, and IEC (information, education and communication) approaches.
- Provide immediate disaster relief to affected communities.
University Vaccination Program, lodged under the CCRP
The Board of Trustees approved the purchase of covid-19 vaccines for 814 University personnel and 1 dependent for each. Any donation received from our alumni and friends for the purchase of vaccines is most welcome.
Donations will be placed under the University’s Continuing Calamity Response Program to reinforce the resiliency of its faculty and staff against threats to health that affect the delivery of University services to all its stakeholders, particularly its students.
Environmental Advocacy Fund
This advocacy is multidisciplinary involving several academic units. Donations will be used to support advocacy research, outreach and extension activities relevant to the University’s commitment to the environment.
The Board of Trustees approved the adoption of the University Environmental Principles, Policies and Guidelines.
Recognizing our calling to be stewards of creation, we at Silliman University are committed to the prevention of environmental pollution, the conservation and enhancement of our natural resources, and environmental sustainability.
In keeping with our perspective of total human development for the well-being of society and environment, Silliman University’s environmental commitment suffuses all aspects of the Sillimanian experience (classroom, Church, culture, athletic court, and community). Students entering Silliman should leave the university with a deeper commitment to sustainability and with the competence to protect our environment wherever their lives may take them.
Interested donors are encouraged to get in touch with the Office of the President
2nd Floor, Leopoldo Ruiz Hall, Silliman University
Tel. No. 420-1901 local 210 Email: [email protected] for inquiries.