Student Affairs and Services has launched a new initiative to document what students have learned from their on-campus involvement: the co-curricular record (CCR).

Memorial is among the first wave of Canadian universities to implement an official document process to verify out of class learning. The CCR is much like an academic transcript but documents a student’s involvement on campus throughout the year. It will be launched in fall 2010 and will record various activities dating back to September 2009.

This new service is rich in possibilities both for Memorial and its students, said Tom Brophy, director of Student Success Programs. 

“We envision the CCR being added to resumés to help students find employment, start their careers upon graduation, apply for scholarships and awards and add to applications for professional and graduate programs," he said. "Ultimately, we want it to help students appreciate how much they have learned and how much they have to offer.”

There are many examples at Memorial where faculty, staff and students work closely together outside of the classroom. The CCR will allow all parties to benefit from being able to ascertain what students are learning from these experiences and to be even more intentional in creating positive learning experiences for students.

When students enter their own activities, they are asked to reflect on what they have learned, encouraging students to think about the skills they have gained from their involvement.

“For years people have talked about how so much of the learning at university happens outside of the classroom and the CCR provides the university and its students with this proof,” said Meghan Mitchell, student engagement co-ordinator and administrator of the CCR.

Students can access their CCR through my.mun.ca and then clicking on the MyMUNlife button. While it is recommended that students submit all their information by May of each year, students can add activities at anytime.

All Student Affairs and Services’ student programs are available in the CCR and they are looking to expand to include programs from various student organizations, faculties and departments across the university.

Currently, students who have or will be participating in orientation, as residence assistants, as peer helpers as well as a number of other paid and volunteer opportunities, are eligible to reap the benefits of the CCR.

“I think the CCR is going to lead to big changes at Memorial,” said Justin Barron, a second year pharmacy student who recently volunteered as an orientation assistant co-ordinator. “I feel it is a necessary change because, to me and many of the students that I know, Memorial is much more than just classes.”

For more information on the CCR, contact Meghan Mitchell at 864-3535 or e-mail CCRadmin@mun.ca.