Community Engagement (CE) Credit Program
Reed students can earn Community Engagement (CE) credits by volunteering for two hours or more per week once registered to the CE Internship Program. Up to two units of CE credit can be earned to fulfill part of the Physical Education and Community Engagement (PEACE) graduation requirement at Reed (see faculty code IV.E.3 Physical Education, Community Engagement, and Experiential Learning Requirement). Participating in community engagement promotes a healthy balance between academic and personal life and fosters meaningful relationships between Reed and the Portland community.
In order to receive CE credit(s), students must follow the program guidelines and complete all program requirements. SEEDS is excited to work with Reedies and partner with a variety of local non-profit organizations to offer volunteer opportunities that satisfy the criteria for CE credit.
Student Eligibility
- All currently enrolled students attending Reed directly (no study abroad) are eligible to register.
- Students must not have already completed all six of the required PE credits, nor completed two EXEL credits, or . Note: Although students can enroll in more than one PE course in a quarter, only one PE credit may be earned per quarter.
Criteria for the Volunteer Position
- The volunteer work/position must be hosted by a local non-profit organization.
- The volunteer position must be available for the entire quarter.
- The local non-profit organization must have responsible staff to sign off on volunteer hours.
- Volunteer work cannot be paid (through local non-profit organizations or through the off-campus federal work-study program).
- Volunteer work must be in the public interest, it is not “in the public interest” if it:
- primarily benefits the members of an organization that has membership limits, such as a credit union, a fraternal or religious order, or a cooperative;
- involves any political activity or is associated with a faction in an election for public or party office;
- is for an elected official unless the official is responsible for the regular administration of the routine operation of federal, state, or local government;
- is work as a political aide for any elected official;
- takes into account a student’s political support or party affiliation in hiring him or her; or
- involves lobbying on the federal, state, or local level.
Program Requirements
To successfully receive one CE Credit per quarter, students must:
- be responsible for contacting local non-profit organizations of their interest to set up the volunteer opportunity for the quarter, SEEDS will provide support with navigating this process if needed.
- add PE 301 CME (Fall Quarter 1), PE 302 CME (Spring Quarter 2), PE 303 CME (Spring Quarter 1), or PE 304 CME (Spring Quarter 2) course once permission is granted after registration.
- complete volunteer work during academic quarters.
- complete at least 2 hours of verified volunteer hours per week during the quarter.
- complete their hours-tracking spreadsheet with verification by staff at the local non-profit organization weekly.
- follow attendance guidelines; students can miss one week of volunteering hours per quarter to remain eligible. Possible exceptions are made when extenuating circumstances are communicated to the program director for SEEDS.
- participate in a program reflection session at the end of the quarter.
- follow the program guidelines, adhere to the program timeline, and complete all program requirements.
Important Note:
- Missed deadlines will not be accommodated, possible exceptions are made when extenuating circumstances are communicated to the program director for SEEDS.
- Volunteer hours completed outside of the academic year cannot be counted.
- Students must volunteer with the same local non-profit organization for the entire quarter.
- Retroactive volunteer hours starting from the first day of class every quarter can be counted upon confirmation of registration.
Registration Guidelines for Students
Step 1: Find a Volunteer Opportunity
Find a volunteer opportunity with a non-profit organization and confirm a staff from the non-profit organization to sign & verify volunteer hours during the quarter(s) students wish to receive CE credit. SEEDS recommends doing this at least 2 weeks before the start of each quarter. If students don't already have a local non-profit organization they are interested in, check out SEEDS's Community Partners Directory to see a list of local non-profit organizations for volunteer opportunities! SEEDS will also host information sections and office hours to help students navigate the registration process.
Step 2: Submit the CE Credit Registration Form
Submit the CE Credit Registration Form (linked on the bottom of the timeline session) starting 2 weeks before each quarter’s first day of class, the submission form will close after each quarter’s first day of class. (See the Program Timeline section below for important dates.)
Step 3: Confirmation Email, Add CE Course, and Start Volunteering!
Students and the non-profit organization staff will receive a confirmation email when the registration form is processed, the confirmation email will include:
- Permission to add PE 301 CME (Fall Quarter 1), PE 302 CME (Fall Quarter 2), PE 303 CME (Spring Quarter 1), or PE 304 CME (Spring Quarter 2) course
- CE Credit Agreement for students and the non-profit organization staff to sign
- Access to the volunteer hour sheet & instructions
- Any additional program information
Students may start volunteering on the 1st day of class each quarter, confirmation or follow-up email will be sent by the PE ADD deadline each quarter. Once the registration is confirmed, students may report the retroactive volunteer hours starting from the first day of class every quarter.
Special Note: Students must repeat the registration process for every quarter they wish to receive CE credit, even if they are volunteering with the same local non-profit organization.
Program Timeline 2024-2025
Quarter 1
Before Sept 3: CE Credit Registration Form Open
Sept 3: Deadline to submit Q1 CE Credit Registration Form; First Day to Complete Q1 Volunteer Hours.
Sept 6: CE/PE ADD Deadline; Confirmation/Follow-Up Email Sent
Sept 13: DROP Deadline
Sept 20: WITHDRAWAL Deadline
Oct 18: Last Day to Complete Q1 Volunteer Hours
Oct 14 - Oct 18: Reflection DUE
Oct 25: Deadline to submit verified Volunteer Hour Sheets to SEEDS
Oct 28: SEEDS Submits CE Credit
Quarter 2
Before Oct 28: CE Credit Registration Form Open
Oct 28: Deadline to submit Q2 CE Credit Registration Form, First Day to Complete Q2 Volunteer Hours.
Nov 1: CE/PE ADD Deadline; Confirmation/Follow-Up Email Sent
Nov 8: DROP Deadline
Nov 15: WITHDRAWAL Deadline
Dec 11: Last Day to Complete Q2 Volunteer Hours
Dec 9 - Dec 13: Reflection DUE
Dec 19: Volunteer Hour Sheets DUE
Dec 30: SEEDS Submits CE Credit
Quarter 3
Before Jan 27, 2025: CE Credit Registration Form Open
Jan 27: Deadline to submit Q3 CE Credit Registration Form, First Day to Complete Q3 Volunteer Hours.
Jan 31: CE/PE ADD Deadline; Confirmation/Follow-Up Email Sent
Feb 7: DROP Deadline
Feb 14: WITHDRAWAL Deadline
Mar 14: Last day of Q3 Volunteer Hours Accepted
Mar 10 - Mar 14: Reflection DUE
Mar 14: Volunteer Hour Sheets DUE
Mar 17: SEEDS Submits CE Credit
Quarter 4
Before Mar 17: CE Credit Registration Form Open
Mar 17: Deadline to submit Q4 CE Credit Registration Form, First Day to Complete Q4 Volunteer Hours.
Mar 21: CE/PE ADD Deadline; Confirmation/Follow-Up Email Sent
Apr 4: DROP Deadline
Apr 11: WITHDRAWAL Deadline
May 2: Last day of Q4 Volunteer Hours Accepted
Apr 28 - May 2: Reflection DUE
May 15: Volunteer Hour Sheets DUE
May 16 - May 21: SEEDS Submits CE Credit
CE Credit Program Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I find opportunities for the CE Credit Program?
- How many quarters of CE Credit Program can I do?
- Can I get paid for my CE Credit Program volunteer hours if I am Federal Work-Study eligible?
- Can I get credit for volunteering with the same organization twice?
- Can I get a PE credit, a CE credit, and or EXEL credit in the same quarter?
- Can I continue volunteering even after I finish my CE Credit?
- Is there a maximum number of hours I can volunteer for a CE Credit?
How do I find opportunities for the CE Credit Program?
If you don't have a local non-profit organization in mind, check out SEEDS's Community Partners Directory to see a list of local non-profit organizations for volunteer opportunities! You may also attend information sessions hosted by SEEDS, and/or make an appointment with the SEEDS CE Internship Program Coordinator, Nina Gopaldas, by emailing seedsinterns@reed.edu.
How many quarters of CE Credit Program can I do?
You can fulfill two units of your six required PEACE credits through CE Credit Program. You need to communicate with the local non-profit organization you are interested in to decide your volunteer commitment. You may continue to participate in community engagement with your organization for more than two quarters, but it will not count towards your six required PEACE credits.
Can I get paid for my CE Credit Program volunteer hours if I’m Federal Work-Study eligible?
Federal Work-Study (FWS) eligible students may not get paid for their CE Credit Program volunteer hours. However, FWS-eligible students may earn wages for an Off-Campus FWS Program position at the same or a different organization from which they receive CE credit.
Can I get credit for volunteering with the same organization twice?
Yes. However, similar to PE credits, you can only earn one credit per quarter (two per semester), and you will need to register again if you wish to receive CE credit again whether you are staying with the same local non-profit organization or not.
Can I get a PE credit, a CE credit, and or EXEL credit in the same quarter?
No, your six PEACE credits must be earned in different quarters.
Can I continue volunteering even after I finish my CE credit?
Yes, that will be a decision made between you and the local non-profit organization.
Is there a maximum number of hours I can volunteer for a CE credit?
No, you only need to volunteer at least 2 hours per week throughout the quarter to earn the CE credit, but if you decided to volunteer for more than hours per week that is at your own discretion.
If you have any questions or wish to set up a meeting to chat more, please email seedsinterns@reed.edu.