More than 1,000 Schoolcraft students were involved in academic service learning projects in 2006-07, and a survey shows that more than 50 percent want to be involved in service learning projects as they take classes.

Service learning involves students in community projects that may be part of a class or may be on a volunteer basis. Some of the 2006-07 projects were with low-income, high-risk children; elderly citizens; the homeless; and the environment. Students get valuable experience to add to their resumes, and make friends and contacts in the community.

Currently, about 42 courses have service learning projects as part of the curriculum, and the number has increased each year since 2001. Plans are in the works to create a service learning endorsement on student transcripts indicating that a student has completed 15 hours of class work with a service learning component. Other developments include a service learning Web page and an official student record of community involvement and volunteer activities.