Information for Immersion Accompaniers

For each immersion we invite a Participant Accompanier to join a Moreau Center for Service and Justice staff person as a non-student participant, which has a distinct role described below. Due to the schedule and format of our immersions, the accompanier opportunities are limited to exempt employees at this time.

The Participant Accompanier (PA) is a faculty or staff person who is interested in learning and serving alongside students during the program, but has no formal responsibilities as an advisor or leader. The PA is expected to participate in the program much like the students, though they will naturally bring more mature thought and expertise to group decisions and conversations. This role is designed to promote the mission of the University as it is exhibited in Moreau Center for Service and Justice programs, encourage cross-divisional and inter-departmental campus collaboration, provide opportunity for professional development, and foster staff/faculty relationships with students outside of formal contexts. The cost of participation for a PA is fully covered by the Moreau Center for Service and Justice (except for things like passports, visas, immunizations, and personal spending). We ask Participant Accompaniers for the following:

• Attend as many preparation seminars, group meetings and social gatherings as possible (and we ask for attendance at a minimum of two seminars/meetings, except for Fall Break immersions where we ask you to attend the one seminar).
• Fully participate in the service, learning, and reflection activities with the group.
• Share community responsibilities like cooking, cleaning, and planning reflections.
• Bring individual expertise, skills, and talents to enrich the group experience.
• Participate in debriefing or reunion activities after returning from the program.

We do NOT require the following of the PA:

• Participation in fundraising meetings or activities although accompaniers can assist with fundraisers by offering their supportive presence and encouraging colleagues to participate in opportunities.
• Plan the immersion itinerary or logistics
• Disciplining students or coordinators

The Moreau Center for Service and Justice staff person and student co-coordinators may also invite the PA into their leadership team check-ins where your support and insight can be a great asset. You are welcome to say yes and join in these meetings and offer your support.

A Moreau Center for Service and Justice staff person accompanies each immersion and serves as the University representative and primary support for the student coordinators. Responsibilities include

• Work together with student coordinators for planning of the immersion, seminars, group meetings, etc.
• Be present at advising meetings, Moreau Center preparation seminars, and group meetings for group development, education, and planning.
• Provide a sounding board for student coordinators.
• Observe group dynamics and interact with students who are struggling as necessary.
• Be fully present to discussions and reflections. They may also be asked to plan or lead a reflection activity.
• Intervene in emergencies.
• Handle the finances of the immersion working with student coordinators.

Student leaders are selected and supported by the Moreau Center for Service and Justice to plan and execute our immersions. Each immersion works with Erin Savoia, the Program Manager for Immersions, who meets regularly with the student coordinators to plan the experience.

Reflection is an essential piece of the immersion experience. Immersion content often challenges basic assumptions about the way we live and how we understand ourselves and others. Immersions expose students to difficult social realities and inequalities that exist in our world. We ask that our immersion accompaniers help to provide meaningful opportunities for students to process and explore how their experience relates to their personal beliefs and values.

Accompaniers are asked to allow their own assumptions, values, and opinions to be challenged and enriched by reflection. They will be asked to participate in daily reflections which may include journaling, discussion, quiet times, or group activities. The primary responsibility for planning reflections is that of the student coordinators. At times the group shares the task of planning and facilitating reflection.

The Moreau Center for Service and Justice is committed to covering the cost for accompaniers. Expenses are not covered through student fees or fundraising but through other sources. Personal costs such as airport food, souvenirs, passports, immunizations, visas, and toiletries are the responsibility of the accompanier. 

It is up to you and your supervisor or department head to decide how your time on the immersion is arranged. Some offices are willing to count this time as conference/professional development. 

We look for staff and faculty who can integrate lived experience, professional experience or academic interest with attentiveness to student needs. Our best accompaniers are those who listen well, create brave spaces for student development, and are flexible and open to new experiences. 

To best assess if a staff or faculty member is a good fit for one of our programs, we ask that you fill out an Accompanier Application form. All staff accompaniers must have the approval from their direct supervisor and all faculty accompaniers must have the approval of their Department Chair and Dean. After completing the application form, interested candidates meet with Moreau Center for Service and Justice staff. We seek feedback from the student coordinators about prospective accompaniers for their immersion. Once we’ve considered staff and student input, we extend invitations for participation. This process is designed to assist both you and the Moreau Center for Service and Justice in discerning a mutual good fit for all parties. 

We have consistently found that the more time an accompanier spends with the student group before the program, the more meaningful their experience is on the immersion. 

For Fall Break Immersions, there is usually just one Friday afternoon seminar from 4-6 pm so we ask that the accompaniers plan to attend the entire seminar.

We ask accompaniers for all other immersions to attend at a minimum two group meetings, seminars, or social gatherings with the group. Most meetings/seminars take place on Fridays from 4-6pm.