
1997 Chancellor's Fall Conference
Small Group Discussion - Group 2
Recorder: Francisco Rodriguez
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Strengths and Opportunities
- The University of California as a research entity is a clear
strength; opportunities for collaborative endeavors with community
service agencies, not-for-profits, business, and public entities
should be identified and strengthened.
- Faculty, staff, students, and alumni can be the Universityís
best ambassadors in the community.
- Students, both undergraduates and graduates, should be viewed
as key informational resources and they should be rewarded for
their efforts to support the Universityís mission of public
service.
- Cooperative Extension faculty, staff, programs and services
should continue to be utilized as key resources in the region.
- The UC Davis Library system as a primary information source
in the region is a clear strength.
- A Universitywide conference for faculty is needed to discuss,
debate, and dialogue on the merits and liabilities of public service
and outreach. We need to identify incentives, rewards, and promote
ìbuy-in,î and ownership. This activity should be
followed by a faculty summit where conclusions, strategies, and
direction can be drawn.
- Conversely, a conference, hosted by the University, should
be planned where community leaders come to the campus to learn
of the various services, programs, and outreach efforts of the
University.
- Linkages could be strengthened with alumni to support the
Universityís efforts in outreach, recruitment, and public
service, particularly with alumni and women of color.
- The ethnic and cultural diversity of the region should be
viewed as an opportunity for scholarly and public service engagement.
- Opportunities for collaboration with other institutions of
higher education, including the California State Universities
and the California Community Colleges in our region, should continue
to be fostered and augmented.
Weaknesses and Threats
- There is not a common definition of ìcommunity development;î
a more appropriate, more inclusive term is needed. The term ìdevelopmentî
has some historically negative connotations. A term is needed
that would embrace the notions of ìenhancing collaboration,
helpful partnerships, inter-linkages, etc.î
- The changing demographics of California is perceived as a
threat as opposed to an opportunity for scholarly and public service
engagement, particularly with disadvantaged, underserved communities.
- The University can be perceived as exploiting communities
for their own parochial, self-centered research interests. If
the University is viewed solely as the ìexpert,î
where nothing can be learned and reciprocated from the community,
attempts for collaboration will be short-lived, frustrating, and
ultimately, futile.
- There is a perception and real concern by communities that
once the research work and/or proposed intervention is completed,
the University abandons the community.
- The reward system is not currently set up to entice and encourage
faculty to be engaged and involved in community outreach; the
public service component of the Universityís mission needs
to be valued. We also need to explore what we mean by research.
- The absence of an abundance of senior-level scholars of color
on campus makes it difficult to identify and develop a cadre of
professionals that would be willing to work more closely with
underserved communities.
- The lack of understanding and proficiency in ìcultural
competenceî by the University is a weakness when working
with diverse communities.
- The lack of a visible, central clearinghouse that coordinates
and disseminates information on outreach efforts of the University;
there exists a need to bolster the visibility, influence, and
budget of the current University Outreach office.
- The resources of the Associate Vice Provost for Outreach should
be commensurate with the charge, tasks, responsibilities, and
expectations of that office.