Approval

The selection panel reviews student projects. The panel, made up of SMU faculty and staff members, approves well-articulated proposals that describe capstone-level projects with clearly indicated:

• Project goals;
• Target population or community of practice to be impacted by the activity;
• Student academic learning to be applied to the project; and
• Intended personal, academic and career learning goals as a result of engaging in the project.
• Strong mentor recommendations, host agency commitment and realistic funding requests.

The panel uses the proposal scoring template in its review of projects.

The panel announces decisions approximately one month after the application cycle closes.

The Office of Engaged Learning prepares acceptance packets for all approved student projects, notifying students and mentors by SMU email. The acceptance packet contains a confirmation letter, information about activity and post-activity, an agreement between the student and the university and procedures for releasing funds.

The Office also contacts non-approved project applicants with panel feedback.

It is the student's responsibility to confirm participation and make an appointment for an individual meeting with the director of Engaged Learning.

Here's How It Works:

1. Check your SMU institutional email regularly. This is the avenue for reaching your regarding Engaged Learning participation and projects.
   
   
2. Review your acceptance packet.
   
   
3. Confirm your participation by signing both copies of the letter.
   
   
4. Keep one copy for yourself and return the other copy to the Office of Engaged Learning by the deadline stated on the letter.
   
   
5. Meet with the Office of Engaged Learning staff to review your funding needs and to set up allocation.
   
   
6. Start your project!