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SEEDS

Community Engagement (CE) Credit Program

Reed students can earn Community Engagement (CE) credits by volunteering for two hours or more per week once registered to the CE Internship Program. Up to two units of CE credit can be earned to fulfill part of the Physical Education and Community Engagement (PEACE) graduation requirement at Reed (see faculty code IV.E.3 Physical Education, Community Engagement, and Experiential Learning Requirement). Participating in community engagement promotes a healthy balance between academic and personal life and fosters meaningful relationships between Reed and the Portland community.

In order to receive CE credit(s), students must follow the program guidelines and complete all program requirements. SEEDS is excited to work with Reedies and partner with a variety of local non-profit organizations to offer volunteer opportunities that satisfy the criteria for CE credit. 

Student Eligibility

  • All currently enrolled students attending Reed directly (no study abroad) are eligible to register.
  • Students must not have already completed all six of the required PE credits, nor completed two EXEL credits, or . Note: Although students can enroll in more than one PE course in a quarter, only one PE credit may be earned per quarter.

Criteria for the Volunteer Position

  • The volunteer work/position must be hosted by a local non-profit organization.
  • The volunteer position must be available for the entire quarter.
  • The local non-profit organization must have responsible staff to sign off on volunteer hours.
  • Volunteer work cannot be paid (through local non-profit organizations or through the off-campus federal work-study program).
  • Volunteer work must be in the public interest, it is not “in the public interest” if it:
    • primarily benefits the members of an organization that has membership limits, such as a credit union, a fraternal or religious order, or a cooperative;
    • involves any political activity or is associated with a faction in an election for public or party office;
    • is for an elected official unless the official is responsible for the regular administration of the routine operation of federal, state, or local government;
    • is work as a political aide for any elected official;
    • takes into account a student’s political support or party affiliation in hiring him or her; or
    • involves lobbying on the federal, state, or local level.

Program Requirements

To successfully receive one CE Credit per quarter, students must:

  • be responsible for contacting local non-profit organizations of their interest to set up the volunteer opportunity for the quarter, SEEDS will provide support with navigating this process if needed.
  • add PE 301 CME (Fall Quarter 1), PE 302 CME (Spring Quarter 2), PE 303 CME (Spring Quarter 1), or PE 304 CME (Spring Quarter 2) course once permission is granted after registration.
  • complete volunteer work during academic quarters.
  • complete at least 2 hours of verified volunteer hours per week during the quarter.
  • complete their hours-tracking spreadsheet with verification by staff at the local non-profit organization weekly.
  • follow attendance guidelines; students can miss one week of volunteering hours per quarter to remain eligible. Possible exceptions are made when extenuating circumstances are communicated to the program director for SEEDS.
  • participate in a program reflection session at the end of the quarter.
  • follow the program guidelines, adhere to the program timeline, and complete all program requirements.

Important Note:

  • Missed deadlines will not be accommodated, possible exceptions are made when extenuating circumstances are communicated to the program director for SEEDS.
  • Volunteer hours completed outside of the academic year cannot be counted.
  • Students must volunteer with the same local non-profit organization for the entire quarter.
  • Retroactive volunteer hours starting from the first day of class every quarter can be counted upon confirmation of registration.

Registration Guidelines for Students

Step 1: Find a Volunteer Opportunity

Find a volunteer opportunity with a non-profit organization and confirm a staff from the non-profit organization to sign & verify volunteer hours during the quarter(s) students wish to receive CE credit.  SEEDS recommends doing this at least 2 weeks before the start of each quarter.  If students don't already have a local non-profit organization they are interested in, check out SEEDS's Community Partners Directory to see a list of local non-profit organizations for volunteer opportunities!  SEEDS will also host information sections and office hours to help students navigate the registration process.

Step 2: Submit the CE Credit Registration Form

Submit the CE Credit Registration Form (linked on the bottom of the timeline session) starting 2 weeks before each quarter’s first day of class, the submission form will close after each quarter’s first day of class.  (See the Program Timeline section below for important dates.)

Step 3: Confirmation Email, Add CE Course, and Start Volunteering!

Students and the non-profit organization staff will receive a confirmation email when the registration form is processed, the confirmation email will include:

  1. Permission to add PE 301 CME (Fall Quarter 1), PE 302 CME (Fall Quarter 2), PE 303 CME (Spring Quarter 1), or PE 304 CME (Spring Quarter 2) course
  2. CE Credit Agreement for students and the non-profit organization staff to sign
  3. Access to the volunteer hour sheet & instructions
  4. Any additional program information

Students may start volunteering on the 1st day of class each quarter, confirmation or follow-up email will be sent by the PE ADD deadline each quarter.  Once the registration is confirmed, students may report the retroactive volunteer hours starting from the first day of class every quarter.

Special Note: Students must repeat the registration process for every quarter they wish to receive CE credit, even if they are volunteering with the same local non-profit organization.

Program Timeline 2024-2025

Quarter 1

Before Sept 3: CE Credit Registration Form Open

Sept 3: Deadline to submit Q1 CE Credit Registration Form; First Day to Complete Q1 Volunteer Hours.

Sept 6: CE/PE ADD Deadline; Confirmation/Follow-Up Email Sent

Sept 13: DROP Deadline

Sept 20: WITHDRAWAL Deadline

Oct 18: Last Day to Complete Q1 Volunteer Hours

Oct 14 - Oct 18: Reflection DUE

Oct 25: Deadline to submit verified Volunteer Hour Sheets to SEEDS

Oct 28: SEEDS Submits CE Credit 

Quarter 2

Before Oct 28: CE Credit Registration Form Open

Oct 28: Deadline to submit Q2 CE Credit Registration Form, First Day to Complete Q2 Volunteer Hours.

Nov 1: CE/PE ADD Deadline; Confirmation/Follow-Up Email Sent

Nov 8: DROP Deadline

Nov 15: WITHDRAWAL Deadline

Dec 11: Last Day to Complete Q2 Volunteer Hours

Dec 9 - Dec 13: Reflection DUE

Dec 19: Volunteer Hour Sheets DUE

Dec 30: SEEDS Submits CE Credit

Quarter 3

Before Jan 27, 2025: CE Credit Registration Form Open

Jan 27: Deadline to submit Q3 CE Credit Registration Form, First Day to Complete Q3 Volunteer Hours.

Jan 31: CE/PE ADD Deadline; Confirmation/Follow-Up Email Sent

Feb 7: DROP Deadline

Feb 14: WITHDRAWAL Deadline

Mar 14: Last day of Q3 Volunteer Hours Accepted

Mar 10 - Mar 14: Reflection DUE

Mar 14: Volunteer Hour Sheets DUE

Mar 17: SEEDS Submits CE Credit

Quarter 4

Before Mar 17: CE Credit Registration Form Open

Mar 17: Deadline to submit Q4 CE Credit Registration Form, First Day to Complete Q4 Volunteer Hours.

Mar 21: CE/PE ADD Deadline; Confirmation/Follow-Up Email Sent

Apr 4: DROP Deadline

Apr 11: WITHDRAWAL Deadline

May 2: Last day of Q4 Volunteer Hours Accepted

Apr 28 - May 2: Reflection DUE

May 15: Volunteer Hour Sheets DUE

May 16 - May 21: SEEDS Submits CE Credit

CE Credit Program Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I find opportunities for the CE Credit Program?

If you don't have a local non-profit organization in mind, check out SEEDS's Community Partners Directory to see a list of local non-profit organizations for volunteer opportunities!  You may also attend information sessions hosted by SEEDS, and/or make an appointment with the SEEDS CE Internship Program Coordinator, Nina Gopaldas, by emailing seedsinterns@reed.edu.

How many quarters of CE Credit Program can I do?

You can fulfill two units of your six required PEACE credits through CE Credit Program. You need to communicate with the local non-profit organization you are interested in to decide your volunteer commitment. You may continue to participate in community engagement with your organization for more than two quarters, but it will not count towards your six required PEACE credits.

Can I get paid for my CE Credit Program volunteer hours if I’m Federal Work-Study eligible?

Federal Work-Study (FWS) eligible students may not get paid for their CE Credit Program volunteer hours. However, FWS-eligible students may earn wages for an Off-Campus FWS Program position at the same or a different organization from which they receive CE credit.

Can I get credit for volunteering with the same organization twice?

Yes. However, similar to PE credits, you can only earn one credit per quarter (two per semester), and you will need to register again if you wish to receive CE credit again whether you are staying with the same local non-profit organization or not.

Can I get a PE credit, a CE credit, and or EXEL credit in the same quarter?

No, your six PEACE credits must be earned in different quarters.

Can I continue volunteering even after I finish my CE credit?

Yes, that will be a decision made between you and the local non-profit organization.

Is there a maximum number of hours I can volunteer for a CE credit?

No, you only need to volunteer at least 2 hours per week throughout the quarter to earn the CE credit, but if you decided to volunteer for more than hours per week that is at your own discretion.

 

If you have any questions or wish to set up a meeting to chat more, please email seedsinterns@reed.edu.