Resources
Consultations
VSL offers personalized consultations for students, student organizations, campus departments, and community partners interested in volunteerism and service. We help with:
- Identifying service opportunities or partners
- Planning and improving volunteer events
- Recruiting and managing volunteers
- Navigating GivePulse for event promotion and tracking
- Building long-term campus-community partnerships
- Exploring recognition opportunities
- Learning how to get involved with Signature Programs
Audience-Specific Support
- Students & Student Orgs: Find opportunities, plan events, recruit volunteers, or use GivePulse effectively.
- Campus Partners & Faculty: Collaborate on service events, connect with community and student organizations, inquire about a workshop, or promote engagement and manage service-learning courses through GivePulse.
- Community Partners: Connect with UT students, list events on GivePulse, and explore collaborative opportunities.
- Other: Don't fall into one of these categories? We would love to meet with you! Please fill out the Consultation form below and include additional details about your request.
To request a consultation, fill out the Consultation Request Form.
For general questions, you can also drop by during VSL's Ambassador Office Hours.
Service Guides
VSL publishes seasonal and specialized service guides to help students explore volunteer opportunities, plan meaningful engagement, and navigate post-graduate service pathways. These guides are practical, easy to use, and tailored to both new and experienced volunteers.
- For Students: Find up-to-date volunteer opportunities, community needs, and events across Central Texas.
- For Student Orgs & Leaders: Use guides to plan semester service calendars, organize events, or align with campus-wide initiatives.
- For Campus Partners: Share guides with your students to encourage engagement or integrate them into newsletters, orientation materials, or academic programs.
Current Guides Include:
- Holiday Guide to Giving Back - Short-term and seasonal volunteer ideas for fall and winter break.
- Summer Service Guide - Ways to stay involved in Austin or at home over the summer.
- Guide to Post-Graduate Service - Explore full-time service opportunities after graduation, including programs like Peace Corps, City Year, and service fellowships.
Looking for printed copies or a custom version for your org or department? Contact us at utvsl@austin.utexas.edu .
Workshops
VSL offers interactive workshops for students, student organizations, and campus partners interested in building meaningful, ethical, and effective service experiences. Workshops can be requested by faculty, staff, student leaders, or community partners and are tailored to meet the needs of your audience.
- For Students: Attend open sessions throughout the year to learn the basics of service, GivePulse, and how to lead impactful projects.
- For Student Orgs, Campus Departments, & Faculty: Request workshops for your group, class, or event to help students engage with service in thoughtful, skill-building ways.
Workshop Topics Include:
- Volunteering 101 - An intro for students new to service or the Austin area.
- GivePulse Basics - How to track hours, find opportunities, and use the platform effectively.
- Service in Context, - Audience-specific sessions on topics like identity in service, service in the sciences, or service for pre-health students.
- Post-Graduate Service - What to know if you're considering full-time service after graduation.
- See upcoming workshops on the VSL GivePulse.
- To request a custom workshop, fill out the Consultation Form at least one month before your preferred date.
GivePulse Support
GivePulse is UT Austin's official platform for finding, tracking, and managing service. VSL manages the UT Austin GivePulse network to help students, student organizations, and community partners engage more easily and meaningfully in service activities.
- For Students: Use GivePulse to find volunteer opportunities, track your service hours, and stay connected to local causes.
- For Student Orgs & Leaders: Manage your events, recruit volunteers, and track group impact all in one place.
- For Community Partners: Post events, connect with students, and build a presence within UT's service network.
Support We Offer:
- Workshops & Trainings: Beginner-friendly sessions are offered each semester. Check the VSL GivePulse for upcoming events.
- Office Hours & Consultations: Drop in during Ambassador Office Hours or request a consultation for advanced support.
Become an Affiliate
Community organizations interested in being listed on the UT Austin GivePulse network can submit an AAffiliate Request Form (tbd). (Note: A**UT Campus partners should request to be a Asubgroup, not an affiliate.)
Please also note: All affiliate requests are reviewed, and VSL reserves the right to approve or decline affiliate status.
Canvas
The VSL Canvas course is a central, student-friendly hub for everything related to volunteerism and service at UT Austin. It's designed for students, student organizations, and campus partners who want an easy way to access service resources, tools, and updates throughout the year.
- For Students: Get quick access to guides, upcoming events, tools for tracking service, and tips for getting involved in Austin and beyond.
- For Student Orgs, Peer Leaders & Advisors: Use the course to support your members with resources, updates, and planning tools, all in one place.
- For Campus Departments & Programs: Encourage your students to enroll and use the Canvas course as a supplement to orientation, service-learning, or leadership programs.
What's Inside the Canvas Course:
- Volunteer and service guides
- Recorded workshops and tutorials
- GivePulse tools and tips
- Monthly service newsletters and event announcements
- Access to VSL forms and templates
- Regular updates & announcements
Ambassadors
VSL Ambassadors are peer leaders who help connect students and organizations to service opportunities at UT Austin. Formerly known as Volunteer UT Fellows, these students support outreach, events, workshops, and one-on-one guidance throughout the academic year.
- For Students: Ambassadors are available to answer questions, offer tips, and help you get started with service, whether you're looking for a one-time opportunity or planning something big.
- For Student Orgs: Request a presentation, host a workshop, or stop by office hours to get support with planning, promotion, and GivePulse tools.
- For Campus Departments & Programs: Invite ambassadors to present in classrooms, lead service orientations, or co-facilitate events with your team.
What Ambassadors Do:
- Host workshops and GivePulse trainings
- Table at campus events
- Provide peer consultations
- Represent VSL across campus
- Collaborate with student leaders and orgs
FALL 2025 AMBASSADOR OFFICE HOURS: Check back in late August 2025
Questions? Email us at utvsl@austin.utexas.edu.