OURS is a free service provided to the Ottawa community by Ottawa University students. Specifically, OURS is service-learning program that allows Ottawa University students to become active in the Ottawa community by determining, and then meeting, community needs. To do so, students provide much needed secondary research and scholarly services to Ottawa agencies. In return, students gain valuable experience in the field. Every semester, a student liaison will act as the student coordinator between your agency and Ottawa University. Specifically, the liaison will help to coordinate projects, attend all meetings between the student and your agency, produce the OURS newsletter, and maintain a database for the OURS projects. The student liaison will also be available for any questions or concerns about present or future projects. For the 2008-09 academic year, Colten Coffin has been named the student liaison. Coffin is a junior at OU and will graduate in the spring of 2010 with a degree in sociology. You can contact him by email at OURS@ottawa.edu or by telephone at 913-683-4880 Please note that this course is not an internship or volunteer service. It is designed to give students an opportunity to become proficient in research work and become active in the community. In the process, they provide a free service to the Ottawa community. Because of this, students can be referred to as skilled service workers. Current Projects In the past, OURS has worked on several projects in which students have:
Application and Project Process Your agency will be asked to fill out a request application for student research. You will be notified when that application is received. An appointment will be made in advance for the following semester. During this appointment you will meet with the student assigned to your request. A contract will be signed between the university, your agency, and the student. Included in this contract will be a list of goals for the project. Click here to view a sample contract. A meeting at the end of the semester will occur to determine the project's results and any further needs for the project. Applications for the Spring semester will be accepted from September 1 to December 1. Applications for the Fall semester will be accepted February 1 to April 1. No late applications will be accepted. Contact Information Project requests and questions can be e-mailed to the OURS e-mail address at OURS@ottawa.edu Requests can also be mailed to: OURS Program 1001 South Cedar Street, #71 Ottawa, KS 66067 In the event of an immediate need or question, please call either Kelly Fish-Greenlee at 785-242-5200, or Colt Coffin at 913-683-4880.