Communities across the country are collaborating with local higher education institutions to build community vitality. Dr. Reardon highlights the history of the "civic engagement" movement, and cites examples of how communities are tapping into the resources of their campuses to improve quality of life.

Taped at the CaRDI-USDA Rural Development Training, November 2001.

All files are in Real format. Click here to download RealOne media player (look for the link for the free version). Current links are to broadband connection...56K versions coming soon.

Introduction (3 min 30 sec)
Intro to the topic of partnerships, review of economic context

Background of University Civic Engagement
(2 min 32 sec)
Distressed rural and urban communities start seeking aid from local higher ed institutions in the 1980s.

Partnership Relationships
(1 min 55 sec)
The experience of East St. Louis, their "five rules" of engagement.

University Engagement
(3 min 08 sec)
History of the "civic engagement" movement, the Campus Compact, federal support through the National Youth Service and the HUD COPC program.

Examples of Engagement
(7 min 22 sec)
How are universities involved? Dr. Reardon cites a number of examples where universities work with community leaders, small businesses and industries for economic development, econonomic stability and better housing for area residents.

Additional Examples
(3 min 09 sec)
Long term partnerships between colleges/universities and local government, industry and K-12 education.

For more information:

National Campus Compact

East St. Louis Action Research Project

Kai Schafft, Ph.D. is a research and extension associate in the Department of Rural Sociology, Cornell University. He can be reached by telephone at 607-254-6795 or via e-mail at kas33@cornell.edu.