Civic and Community Engagement

How to Get to your Service-Learning Site 

If you are using public transportation, the NFTA Buffalo State Student Transit Pass program provides unlimited access to the NFTA metro bus and rail system. A Student Transit Pass, along with a current Buffalo State photo ID card, is required to use any of the services. Transit passes may be picked up from the E. H. Butler Library Information Commons. Please refer to Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority or call the NFTA Metro Bus at 716-855-7300 for schedule information. 

You are expected to report to your community service site at the agreed-upon times for orientations and/or service hours. In the instance you are unable to make your scheduled time due to emergency or illness, please notify your community partner as far in advance as possible.

If you have any questions or need assistance with transportation issues, contact your course instructor or the Civic and Community Engagement Office.

Communicating with your Service-Learning Community Partner

Communication with your community partner is integral to having a successful experience in your service-learning course.  The community partner organizations are often communicating with students and faculty from other area colleges, so make sure to identify yourself, our college, and the course that is partnering with their organization.  

Not sure what to say to a community partner? Not sure what you need to do?  Read our tip sheets:

• How to Contact a Community Partner for a Service-Learning Hour Requirement 

• How to Contact a Community Partner for a Service-Learning Project Requirement 

Communication Tips 

• Identify the best way to contact the community partner (email, phone, online web form, etc.)

• Include your full name, college, course, phone number, or email

• Know what the professor and community partner expect & state that in your email/phone call (e.g., 20 hours of service)

• Give the community partner up to one week to return your first message. If you don't hear back after 3-4 days, reach out again

• If you will be late or are ill, contact your community partner ASAP so they can make other arrangements

Safety Reminders

In general, it is always a good idea to practice common-sense precautions whether you are in areas that you are familiar with or not as familiar with.  We encourage you to follow these basic safety reminders while you are in the community and at your service-learning site. 

• Familiarize yourself with the new area ahead of time

• Travel with a buddy

• Carry only what you need

• Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return

• Always lock your doors and leave a light on

• Park or walk in well-lit areas

• Never leave valuables in plain sight

• If you become a victim of a crime, call 911 if you are off campus or 716-878-6333 if you are on campus

If you have any questions, always ask your course instructor or reach out to the Civic and Community Engagement Office for additional support.

Our Community Partner Organizations