Co-Curricular Experiences Database
Are you running an activity (event, club, group, workshop, volunteer opportunity, etc.) and want to get it included in the Co-Curricular Experiences database so students can get recognition for participating? Here’s how you can determine if your activity is eligible and if so, how to get it in the database.
Why Should Your Group Seek Inclusion in the Co-Curricular Experiences Database?
- It gives the members an official means of being recognized for their leadership contributions at Laurier.
- It increases each member’s dedication to the group as they will want the best learning experience possible.
- It supports the learning that each member does as part of their participation.
- It contributes to an enhanced culture of student involvement.
1. Activity provides students with meaningful learning opportunities
Research shows that student involvement in co-curricular experiences has the potential to yield significant learning. Students are asked to reflect on the competencies they develop in an experience and by answering a series of reflection questions.
Competencies include:
- Adaptability and Resiliency
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Communication
- Creativity and Innovation
- Critical Thinking
- Diversity and Intercultural Understanding
- Functional Knowledge (knowledge related to academic discipline, job and/or industry-specific knowledge)
- Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Professional Attributes (demonstrate responsible behaviours, time management, organizational skills, work ethic, positive attitude, integrity and commitment to ongoing learning and self-improvement)
- Self-Awareness (understand personal interests, skills, values, preferences, behaviours and attitudes)
- Technological Ability
2. Activity meets validation process requirements
All activities on the Laurier Experience Record are validated. Only those activities that are sanctioned by the university and can be validated by a member of the Laurier community are eligible. Activities must be reviewed and verified each fall by the validator to ensure that contact information, activity descriptions and competencies are updated. All activities must be validated by April 30 of each year.
3. Activity supports and fosters transformational experiences
The Laurier Experience Record recognizes activities that offer transformational learning experiences for students. These experiences provide students with an opportunity to make meaningful contributions, develop transferable skills and engage in activities that embody a commitment to holistic learning.
How to Get an Activity Included in the Co-Curricular Experiences Database
Assuming your activity meets the criteria for inclusion, there are three simple steps to getting it added to the database.
- Email the Experience Record Co-ordinator who will send you the appropriate form to complete.
- The Experience Record Co-ordinator reviews application to ensure meaningful and purposeful programming.
- Activity is added to database and remains online provided that all validation timelines are met are achieved.
Timeline
August to November
- Experience Record administrators connect with every student, faculty or staff member who validates each activity listed in the database.
- Using the application for recognition, validators identify the anticipated competencies for their programming. This is completed for each position independently.
December to mid-April
- Students must log in and add positions through the Co-Curricular Experiences module by mid April.
April
- Requests for LER recognition are forwarded to the validator for approval.
May to August
- Staff and students will review the information collected regarding both the anticipated and actual competencies.
- The information collected will be used for the upcoming academic year to support validators in developing programming and training to maximize learning for all involved students.