Category Description: Special Projects
The goal of this category is to allow students to extend, connect or deepen their learning in unique ways that may not be expressed in the other six SET categories. Students are given the flexibility to demonstrate their engagement by completing projects that:
- Apply different ways of knowing (e.g. oral, verbal, tactile, imaginative, rational, intuitive, artistic, scientific)
- Bring together the methods, insights, concerns or subject matters of different disciplines
- Entail non-traditional ways of approaching a topic
- Explore ways of learning through experiential activities that do not properly fit in the other Student Engagement Transcript (SET) categories
Examples and Criteria
Special projects may differ widely because of the open-nature of the category, but certain basic criteria must be met:
- Pre-approval from a faculty or staff sponsor, AND
- 30 hours of completion time, for which a log must be maintained, AND
- Presentation describing the project, OR
- Reflection paper written after completion of the activity, OR
- On-going journal maintained throughout the experience
Getting SET Category Approval
To receive SET approval for a Category 7 Special Project activity, students must complete the SET Activity Approval Form and submit it to their faculty or staff sponsor for pre-approval. The proposal must include an explanation of how a particular project meets one of the Special Projects categories. Students must obtain pre-approval from a faculty or staff sponsor prior the commencement of a special project. Approval of special projects in Category 7 lies at the discretion of the faculty or staff sponsor. Once the activity has been completed and approved, the faculty sponsor must sign the SET Activity Approval Form and submit it to Dr. Shari Payne, Dean of Engaged Learning. Questions should be directed to Dr. Payne at (412) 397-6235.
Category Description: Special Recognitions
The goal of this category is formally acknowledge students who have exceeded expectations in and/or outside the classroom.
Examples and Criteria
Examples of activities that satisfy this category include:
- Robert Morris University bestowed certificates, including university and academic departmental recognitions and student organization related awards (e.g. Dean's Scholar, Distinguished Athlete/Leader, Signature Leadership Award), OR
- Recognition from a national educational organization (e.g. National Honor Society Awards, Fraternity/Sorority Awards, Who's Who Among American Colleges & Universities), OR
- Non-academic acknowledgements from a reputable organization for a student's work in a professional or community setting, which represents the student's co-curricular, educational, experiential, and/or professional learning
All certificates, awards and recognitions must be obtained during the student's attendance at Robert Morris University. No awards will be considered that are not applicable to the student's educational and/or professional development.
Getting SET Category Approval
To receive SET approval for a Category 7 Special Recognition activity, students must complete the SET Activity Approval Form and attach evidence of the award or special recognition from the sponsoring organization, an explanation of the purpose of the recognition and a report of the award criteria. The materials should be submitted to the Dr. Shari Payne, Dean of Engaged Learning. Questions should be directed to Dr. Payne at (412) 397-6235.
Category Description: Participation
The goal of this category is to chronicle student participation in a variety of activities. Participation is defined as students who are actively involved in co-curricular activities such as athletic teams, campus organizations, student government recognized clubs and special university events and programs.
Examples and Criteria
Examples of activities that satisfy this category include:
- Participation on a recognized athletic or intramural, OR
- Participation in a recognized organization, OR
- Participation in a sponsored event
Getting SET Category Approval
Students who participate in university-recognized activities will receive automatic approval for Category 7 SET participation activity. Questions should be directed to Dr. Shari Payne, Dean of Engaged Learning, at (412) 397-6235 or payne@rmu.edu.