University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Published: February 3, 2005

By SUE WUETCHER
Reporter Editor

The Community Engagement Task Force, established by President John B. Simpson as part of the UB 2020 institutional planning effort, is soliciting feedback from members of the campus community on its recommendations regarding UB's community and public service strategy.

The task force will hold two sessions—from 3:30-5 p.m. Feb. 16 in 105 Harriman Hall, South Campus, and from noon to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 17 in the Student Union Theater, North Campus.

The primary objective of the Community Engagement Initiative is to create a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated plan that will allow the UB to improve its relations with the community. The task force was charged with developing an overall strategy to coordinate and integrate all campus efforts related to community relations, public service, community service, marketing and public relations. It also was directed to identify and create processes, organizational roles and responsibilities, and technologies required to achieve the strategy.

The task force includes representatives from the School of Architecture and Planning, the Center for Applied Technologies in Education (CATE), the Center for the Arts, Office of Government Affairs, Law School, Office of Creative Services, the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the Office of Public Service and Urban Affairs, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and the University Community Initiative (UCI).

Task force members solicited input from university and community experts—some two dozen community leaders were interviewed on their perspectives on UB's existing relations with the community—and drafted recommendations for a "community engagement" mission, strategy and organization. The goal is to integrate public service and community relations, strengthen UB's impact as a public institution and build stronger community partnerships.

During the upcoming meetings, the task force will present its findings in open session; faculty, staff and students are encouraged to share their opinions.

Additional meetings seeking input from external constituencies also will be held this month.

The Community Engagement Task Force is one of three task forces formed as part of the strategic planning process.

The Government, University and Industry Task Force is charged with creating a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated plan for maximizing UB's relationships with state, federal and international governments, as well as private and public industry.

The primary objective of the Bioinformatics Business Planning Task Force is to build a comprehensive plan for the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences.

The Community Engagement Task Force's final report is expected to be released to the UB community and posted on the UB 2020 Web site in March.

For more information, on the Community Engagement Initiative, visit http://www. buffalo.edu/ub2020/com_charge.html