SUNY Oneonta inspires students to make a difference through voluntary community service. In addition, our faculty offer many service-learning courses that teach civic responsibility, strengthen communities, and help students make the connection between classroom learning and the world of work.
Service-Learning is a pedagogical approach which includes experiential learning via meaningful community service paired with classroom instruction and reflection. It is meant to enrich the academic learning experience for students, teach civic responsibility, and help the local community with identified needs.
Service opportunities coordinated through our Center for Volunteerism and Community Engagement (CVCE) range in length, scope and depth; some even involve service trips across the United States and abroad. Most volunteer opportunities require no experience of any kind. Anyone can get involved-- students, faculty, staff, nonprofit agency leaders… we have something for everyone! One common feature in the activities that we offer is they help communities and humanity as a whole.
Key Annual Events
First-Year Service Day
First-year and transfer students provide service to local nonprofits in the City of Oneonta or do a large service project together
Conference on Volunteering and Social Responsibility
An annual conference featuring an essay contest and speakers on a variety of service-related topics
Canstruction
Getting creative to build structures out of cans of food that are displayed at the Southside Mall and then donated to our food pantries
Into the Streets
Annual community service day! 400 students volunteer for 28 area nonprofits in one day, our biggest service event of the year!
Local Community Partnerships
Hours of community service students average each year
In value to local nonprofits
Nonprofits in Otsego county students volunteer with
Examples of local community partnerships
- Soup kitchens, staffed by volunteers daily
- Community Arts Network of Oneonta
- Club Odyssey, a drug-free club for ages 18-25 offering music and activities
- Assisted Living Facilities
- YMCA
- Blood drives held each month
Examples of local community partnerships
Contact the Center for Volunteerism and Community Engagement
Hunt Union 127
108 Ravine Parkway
Oneonta, NY 13820
United States