CCF partnered with UVa’s Office of Public Service and Outreach in February 2007 to establish a joint work group charged with making recommendations regarding the infrastructure necessary to support community-university partnerships for research, service, and learning.

Charge

The charge of the Work Group has been to develop a strategic plan to optimally foster Community-University Service, Learning, and Research Partnerships. These partnerships should enhance the quality of life in a diverse community, as well as the quality of the learning experiences and community-based research opportunities at U.Va. The work group would:

(a)    identify national best practice models for community- university service, learning, and research partnerships,

(b)   identify community and university needs, assets, and challenges regarding service, learning, and research collaborations as they specifically relate to a potential partnership(s), and

(c)    make specific recommendations for action and implementation of a partnership(s) that can be sustained.

History

In October 2006, a roundtable was convened of faculty partnering with community folks in community-based research.  Attended by faculty, staff, Provost’s Office, and community members.

The Engaged Scholars’ Work Group was convened in February 2007 of mostly university representatives, but with some community representation, e.g., the County Schools , CCF, and the United Way .

In October 2007, the Engaged Scholars’ Work Group submitted an Interim Report on their research as background and support for the Commission for the Future of the University’s report, especially as it pertained to supporting community-based research and student service-learning. Also see the Executive Summary.

In January, 2008, partly in response to the Work Group’s report, the Provost’s Office established the Office of University Community Partnerships, headed by Megan Raymond.

In January 2008, the Work Group renamed itself the Community University Research and Service Partnership.

Join!

If properly supported these partnerships can…

• Provide the community with needed capacity, knowledge base, and research results (i.e., why are CSA costs going up, what are community needs, what type(s) of child care provider is needed in Charlottesville ?).
• Provide the university with valuable learning experiences and opportunities to use their skills to solve local problems.

Sign the Declaration if…

• You would think these types of partnerships are a good idea and should be supported by UVa and the community.
• You would like to (a) share information and network with others, and (b) gain additional access to students/faculty/community projects.
• You don’t have to do anything else – but you CAN if you like! Contact Megan Raymond (meganr@virginia.edu) for more information about meetings and events!