Overview
The Flood Recovery Serviceships offer students the opportunity to help Nebraska communities respond to the devastating floods, to gain experience in public service and to learn about how communities responses to natural disasters. Based on the successful model at the Rural Futures Institute, these Serviceships will place NU students in communities across Nebraska to respond to their needs.
The University of Nebraska has committed $250,000 to support this program and is poised to help Nebraska communities in ways that are productive and valued.
Starting in May 2019, the University of Nebraska intends to place up to 50 students in communities across Nebraska (2-5 students per community).
Primary Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities for these students include:
- Engaging local leaders active in flood recovery efforts and contributing in ways that add value.
- Identifying (and logging) service projects (immediate or longer-term) that could be addressed by teams of students, staff or faculty. Facilitating projects to be conducted this summer.
- Representing the University of Nebraska system and connecting our resources with local needs.
Flood Recovery Serviceships are currently open for application. Interested students can apply .
Eligibility
All undergraduate, graduate and professional students at any University of Nebraska campus (UNK, UNL, UNMC, UNO and Curtis.)
Length of Service
The duration of the Serviceship is flexible based on the availability of the student and the needs of the community partner. Maximum duration is 40 hr/week for 10 weeks, starting in late May/early June of 2019.
Location
Participants can request the opportunity to serve in their hometown, if it is in Nebraska. Because local housing is limited in these communities, 1) community leaders will be asked to provide homestay hosts, or 2) Serviceship students from the local community will be asked to house their peers.
Compensation
$12.50/hr, no overtime. Students will need to have access to a vehicle, and mileage for Serviceship activities will be reimbursed at the University of Nebraska rate of $.25/mile. Other travel expenses will be reimbursed based on NU travel policy.
Credit
It may be possible for Serviceship students to earn college credit for their work.
Key Serviceship Elements
- Community hosts and description of acceptable work. Nebraska Extension Unit Leaders will identify communities and community hosts. Community hosts will be provided a description of the type of work the Serviceship students could do. Consideration of student safety will guide this description.
- Supervision. Students would be co-supervised by a local community leader and a Nebraska Extension Unit Leader.
- Training for students. Helen Fagan (Rural Futures Institute’s Director of Leadership Engagement) will provide a Leadership Development training program. Additional training opportunities will be provided throughout the summer.
- Health and safety. Students will be briefed on safety measures in flood recovery areas and receive appropriate immunizations or other preventative treatments as necessary.
- Liability. As temporary paid student employees, liability and workers’ compensation for Serviceship-related issues would be covered by the University of Nebraska.