The West Virginia University Office of Service Learning Programs is accepting applications from WVU faculty interested in applying for Technical Assistance and Service Learning Project grants for the upcoming summer school terms and fall semester.

Grants, which typically average $2,500 per course each semester, are available for student and faculty stipends as well as materials and travel expenses. The funding deadlines are: Summer IMonday, April 7; Summer IITuesday, May, 27; and Fall 2003Monday, July 7.

The TASL program’s goal is to find new ways to combine the needs of local after-school programs for technical assistance with opportunities for WVU students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world situations. The initiative is a collaborative program between the WVU Office of Service Learning Programs and the After School for All Coalition of Monongalia County. The project is funded through a two-year grant from the Claude W. Benedum Foundation.

WVU faculty are encouraged to consider incorporating student service learning activities into their course assignments and overall curriculums. Projects can involve entire classes, small groups or individual students. Past TASL grant activities have worked with local non-profit community programs with tasks such as newsletter writing, computer instruction, curriculum development, volunteer training, facility design and grant research.

This spring semester, 17 projects in subjects ranging from business administration and public relations to social work and literacy education were funded. Seven faculty and 100 WVU students are participating in the initiatives.

Several local non-profit agencies that have participated in the TASL project include: Kaleidoscope Community Learning Centers, Mountaineer Boys and Girls Club, Rock Forge Neighborhood House, Scott’s Run Settlement House, Shack Neighborhood House and Youth United.

“We are pleased with the great success this program has experienced in only its first year,”said Jill Kriesky, director, WVU Office of Service Learning Programs.”We hope that including new projects will help enhance the after-school services provided to Monongalia County students.”

For more information on the TASL program, or to receive a grant application, contact Alexis Gainor, WVU Office of Service Learning Programs, 304-293-8761, ext. 4485 or Alexis.Gainor@mail.wvu.edu and/or Donnie Sines, United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, 304-296-7525. Grant applications are also available by visiting the project’s Web site at http://www.wvu.edu/~oslp/taslindex.htm