Community University Research and Service Partners

Presentation at Outreach Scholarship Conference, Penn State University, October 8, 2008 (PDF)

In October 2006, the Office of Public Service and Outreach at the University of Virginia (U.Va.) and the Charlottesville/Albemarle Commission on Children and Families (CCF) held a roundtable to discuss research and learning partnerships between U.Va. and the surrounding community. Present were 23 individuals from 13 departments across U.Va., three representatives from the Provost’s Office, and 12 community members representing local human service agencies. This roundtable sought to celebrate partnerships already underway, to connect faculty doing this type of work, and to begin to think about ways to unify and formalize these partnerships. The roundtable participants indicated that they felt there was increasing support at U.Va. for research and learning partnerships but that more work was needed to further legitimize, formalize, connect, support, and expand the community-university partnerships for learning and research. Therefore, the Office for Public Service and Outreach and CCF established a joint work group. The Engaged Scholars’ Work Group convened in January 2007 and was renamed the Community University Research and Service Partners in 2008.

Executive Summary (PDF) - 2 pages

Report (includes: History, Charge, Accomplishments, Successes, Barriers, Incentives, etc. ) (PDF) - 11 pages

Appendix A: Engaged Scholars’ Work Group Membership (PDF) - 2 pages

Appendix B: Definitions of University Activities with and in Communities (PDF) - 5 pages

Appendix C: Best Practices Research – Website Summaries (PDF) - 32 pages

Appendix D: Best Practices Research – Telephone Interview Summaries (PDF) - 15 pages

Appendix E: University and Community Survey Summaries (PDF) - 5 pages

Appendix F: Documentation of Institutional Mission and Commitment (PDF) - 2 pages

Appendix G: Information on Selected Partnerships (PDF) - 8 pages

Appendix H: Declaration of the Community University Research and Service Partners (PDF) - 1 page

Full Download (85 pages): Interim Progress Report: Community University Service, Learning, and Research Partnership Report - (PDF)

Community University Research and Service Partners Membership as of 3/20/09

Why Join?

If properly supported, these partnerships can

• Provide the community with needed service capacity, knowledge base, and research results
• Provide the university with valuable learning experiences, information about real community needs and opportunities to use academic skills to solve local problems

Sign the Declaration if:

• You think these types of partnerships are a good idea and should be supported by UVa and the community
• You would like to share information and network with others and gain additional access to students/faculty/community projects

Options:

• Join the Steering Committee (it will likely meet for an hour 2-4 times per year to advise and guide the Executive Committee)
• Join the Executive Committee (it will likely meet for an hour monthly to complete a final report and support the Office of University and Community Partnerships
• Participate in meetings and be on the mailing list

Email communitypartnerships@virginia.edu for more information or to join the Partnership!

Community University Research and Service Partners Declaration (PDF)

Community University Research and Service Partners Group Members