Initiatives in Service
Meeting the needs of our community, state, and nation
As an urban institution, LSU uses its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental, and social challenges. The Community University Partnership (CUP) exhibits the University's commitment to community in a variety of these areas, with a concentrated focus upon Old South Baton Rouge and the neighborhoods immediately north of LSU's campus.
LSU’s Center for Community Engagement, Learning & Leadership (CCELL) allows students to put their classroom knowledge to use in service to the community, benefiting both. Students enrolled in service-learning courses help meet community needs while fostering greater self-knowledge, improved leadership skills, and a sense of civic responsibility.
Each semester, approximately 67 service-learning sections are offered in 35
departments, with more being added regularly. Here’s a sampling: 
- Veterinary medicine, kinesiology, chemistry, and theater students worked in inner-city classrooms to reinforce K-12 institutional standards.
- Biological engineering students collaborated with elementary school students to design and construct environmentally sensitive playgrounds and butterfly gardens.
- Social work and communication students contributed to programs that support battered women, neglected or abused children, and family development.
- Information systems and decisions sciences student teams designed and implemented software development projects for nonprofit organizations.
- Architecture students assembled plans, designs, and a website to facilitate community development and communication.
In addition, LSU promotes community service among its 275 student organizations, including service organizations and Greek chapters on campus.
The University also sponsors Ocean Commotion, which attracts more than 3,500 K-8 students from area schools annually, and Youth Programs, through the Division of Continuing Education.
LSU has been selected by Partnership for Public Service to participate as one of six schools in a prestigious pilot project called Call to Serve Pilot schools create activities and programs designed to promote interest among young Americans in federal jobs, internships, fellowships, and careers. Successful tools will be compiled and rolled out as best practices for 550 schools across the country in the Call to Serve network. Other schools participating in the pilot include Stanford, George Washington, Ohio State, University of New Mexico, and Clark Atlanta.
LSU endorses City Year Louisiana in an effort to build a strong partnership in public service, civic leadership, and academic excellence. For more information, visit the City Year Web site at http://www.cityyear.org/sites/louisiana/
There are many ways and many reasons to serve. Find yours!
