Global Days of Service Student FAQs

This page is primarily for student registration. If you are faculty, staff, or alumni and would like to volunteer for Global Days of Service alongside undergraduate volunteers at one of our community partners, please contact bugds@bu.edu after registering. All others, please refer to: bugdsblog.wordpress.com

1. Are all service opportunities taking place on Saturday, April 16?

Most are. Any opportunities taking place on a different day are listed first with their date and time.

2. Can I volunteer as part of a group?

Absolutely! We encourage group participation in GDS; however, each group member must register individually. We are working with many community partners with a large number of available volunteer spots, so your group should have no problem finding a partner site.

3. How do I get to my community partner?

Students will gather in the Community Service Center on the 4th floor of the GSU, 775 Commonwealth Ave., the morning of service to meet their community partner leaders and groups. Details about your site-specific transportation and what time you must meet at the CSC will be included in the confirmation email you will receive before the event.

The Community Service Center will arrange transportation to sites for all undergraduate students.

Transportation may be by foot, bus, public transport, or van. This information will also be sent in your confirmation email. Graduate students and alumni should arrange for their own transportation unless otherwise noted in the confirmation email.

4. Will meals be provided?

Undergraduates will be provided with breakfast at the Community Service Center, where they will meet with their community partner leaders and groups to head to partner sites together. We will also have a variety of snacks for groups to bring to their partner sites. Students should arrange to eat other meals before or after service. You may bring your own sack lunch to your partner site if you wish. We recommend Rhetty-to-Go meals for students with a meal plan!

5. What should I bring and wear?

Bring your Terrier Card, semester/monthly T pass (if you have one), water bottle, and health insurance card (in case of emergency). Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that you are willing to get dirty! Certain sites may have more specific requirements. If there are specific clothing requirements, they will be sent to you in your confirmation before the event.

6. I need help logging my hours.

If you need verification for volunteering hours performed for an outside commitment, you must contact the Community Service Center at bugds@bu.edu at least one week before the event. The Community Service Center cannot provide verification without prior notification.

If you are interested in contributing your hours to Boston University’s Capital Campaign and The Million Hours Project, we highly encourage students to log their hours here.

7. I am not available on Saturday, April 16th. Are there other ways I can participate in GDS?

Yes, we also have service planned on April 2, 3, 9, and 10. If you are not available those days, but you have time in the evening of April 16th, we encourage you to volunteer at BU's Relay for Life Event. If you cannot volunteer at any of these times, you are welcome to volunteer on your own any time during the month of April and log your hours. If you need suggestions for where to volunteer, feel free to contact bugds@bu.edu.

8. I am a BU alumni, faculty, or staff member. Can I still sign up here?

Alumni, faculty, staff and graduate students that would like to volunteer alongside undergraduate students at one of our community partners can register on this Evenbrite page. Please email bugds@bu.edu after your registration. You can also sign up for separate Global Days of Service sites through the Alumni Association's Global Days of Service Website.

9. What if I’m studying abroad?

Thank you for wanting to incorporate service during your abroad experience! Students studying abroad should email bugds@bu.edu for help organizing your own service opportunity. We currently have GDS sites planned for Auckland, Paris, and Madrid.

Questions?

Contact the Global Days of Service team at the Community Service Center:
bugds@bu.edu, 617-353-4710, bugdsblog.wordpress.com

Student Registration - Global Days of Service 2016