SET Domain: Service

SET Home

Domain Description

The goal of this domain is to foster active civic engagement on the part of students as RMU views engaging in volunteer community service as essential to developing well rounded citizen-leaders. Volunteer community service includes donating one’s time and talents in partnership with myriad nonprofit organizations whose diverse missions address critical needs. The volunteer service may take place on campus, when appropriate, but must benefit a nonprofit organization.

To complete the Service domain, a student must volunteer for a total of 30 hours either through group service events or by volunteering on your own with a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Volunteering may take place at the same nonprofit multiple times or at various nonprofits in order to fulfill this SET credit. Community service completed as part of a judicial sanction imposed by the University does not qualify for the SET. Donation of items (e.g. a dress given to a clothing drive) does not qualify for the SET.

Getting SET Approval

Students who participate in service activities that are coordinated by the Office of Student Life will receive automatic SET approval for their service work.

To receive SET approval for a service activity that is not coordinated by the Office of Student Life, students should first request pre-approval from the Office of Student Life by emailing set@rmu.edu. Once the activity has been completed, students must provide documentation to indicating the number of service hours that were successfully completed. These activities are not self-reported through the Sentry online submission process.

Anytime a student volunteers at a nonprofit on his/her own, the nonprofit must provide a signed letter on the nonprofit's letterhead that documents the student's volunteer service.  The letter must include the date or date range that the student volunteered, the total number of hours the student volunteered, and one sentence about what the student did.  The letter can be emailed to set@rmu.edu or dropped off to the Office of Student Life, Nicholson Center, 2nd floor, near the student mailroom.

Report of Group Volunteer Service Hours

Print the Report of Group Volunteer Hours form, fill it out after your organization's service project and turn it into the Office of Student Involvement in Nicholson Center, 2nd floor.  The event will be recorded for students' Student Engagement Transcripts.

Questions should be directed to the Student Life Office at set@rmu.edu or (412) 397-5956.