TranServe

Your academic transcript is a direct reflection of your college career to potential employers and graduate and professional schools. Through the TranServe program at Ouachita Baptist University you can permanently record your hours in service to the community on your official OBU transcript.

Please contact Judy Duvall at duvallj@obu.edu for more information or for help in finding a place to serve.

 

TranServe Guidelines

1. Hour Verification Reports must contain a minimum of 20 hours of approved service per semester, an agency supervisor signature for each service activity, and your (student) signature.
2. Hour Verification Reports must be turned in to the Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community no later than the Wednesday before finals week of the current term.
3. Service to the community that is completed with an OBU student organization must follow the “Transerve Student Organization Guidelines” that is available at the center or on the web page.

Service Activities to be considered for TranServe

• Service at a non-profit agency (e.g. Beehive or Head Start)
• Service at a for-profit organization whose mission involves meeting social service needs of the community (e.g. nursing homes and hospitals)
• Church sponsored service where the goal is meeting social needs (e.g. church soup kitchen)
• Government sponsored service at the federal, state and local level (e.g. county school programs)
• Independent service projects in areas where human needs exist (special documentation and approval reguired)
• The coordination of fundraising activities with direct interaction with a non-profit beneficiary
• Service performed as a part of service-learning course required, internship or scholarship requirement that meets the guidelines above
• Work in non-partisan political organizations and campaigns

View a List of  Service Opportunities

Service Activities NOT to be considered for TranServe

• The participation in fundraising activities (e.g. car washes, walk-a-thons, and benefits)
• Work at any organization where you obtain a wage or stipend (exemption: scholarships)
• Work in partisan political campaigns and organizations

The Mission

The Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community is to provide community involvement and civic responsibility as integral elements of a liberal arts education.  Therefore, the center encourages you to serve in all of the activities mentioned above.  However, for purposes of recording service to the community on official university transcripts, the center interprets qualifying service experiences with these guidelines that originated from the national Campus Compact.

To apply for TranServe, you must submit an application with the Elrod Center.

The Center’s Staff will send your form to the Registrar’s Office.  The Registrar will enroll you in the TranServe program just like you would be enrolled in a class. If you do not complete the minimum requirement of 20 hours of service in a semester, you are not penalized and there will be no notation on your transcript.  If needed, the staff will help you find volunteer opportunities that fit your preferences and strengths.  If you are already volunteering, you will simply need to keep up with the hours you serve on the Hour Verification Report and turn it in to the Elrod Center no later than Wednesday before finals week.