When Counting is Inadequate The Failure of Quantitative

When Counting is Inadequate: The Failure of Quantitative Measures to Demonstrate True Impacts of Service-Learning Projects

ULS Academic Summit 2014 Jack Atherton Northwestern State University

The UPSA Degree �Housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Letters �The Department of Criminal Justice, History and Social Sciences �Bachelor of Science Degree �In 5 th Year �Four concentrations (growing to six) �Online Delivery � 10 Graduates, 30 Plus students and growing �University’s Concentration for Organizational Leadership Consortium Degree

The UPSA Student �Working Professional �Non-traditional Student

The Senior Seminar �Capstone Course � Academic Research or � Service Learning Project

Capstone Pedagogy: Core, Plus �Core Curriculum � Law/Regulation � Hazardous Materials � Financial Components � Research � Resource Integration �Plus � Institution Review Board � Intellectual Property

Project Objective �With Community Partner, Define and Solve Existing Problem

Not Traditional Service Learning with Traditional Concepts �Traditional � Service � Learning � Community Partners �Non-Traditional � Informational Product � Non-traditional Target Population

Measurement �Traditional Measures Fail to Capture Impact �Hard to Measure Accurately �Preparation Often Unrewarded �We do not want tragedy to show our work.

Past and Current Projects and Partners �Natchitoches Historic District----Painting Historic Structures �New Iberia Parrish Coroner's Office----Mass Fatality Protocol �Lafayette Dioceses-----House of Worship as Shelter �Shreveport/Bossier Parrish Emergency Preparedness---Non Law Enforcement Asset Protection During Active Shooter �Monroe Fire Department------Tiered Debris Removal Protocol

Past and Current Projects and Partners �GOHSEP----Expenditure Recovery from FEMA Declared Emergencies �DNR----Natural Gas Odor Detection and Recognition �Cotile Volunteer Fire Department----Infrared Tool Policy �Fort Polk/Leesville Police Critical Incident Teams----Dispatcher Trainer for Incidents involving Mental Health Patients

Immediate Results �Needs of Community Partners Addressed �A Safer Public �Effective Use of Resources �Student Learning Application in Field of Study

The Benefits �Population Benefited: The Public �Preparation �Expanded Use of Products �Cost Reductions �Compliance with Law �Prevention of Disease �Broader Participation of Responders �Greater Efficiency in Times of Crisis

The Challenge �Becoming part of the measurement � Recognition � Part of the Lexicon � Acceptance of Deferred Use � Measurement of Preparation � Information as Product

Questions