The tension between "urban" and "research" in an urban research university has led to the creation of a small, service- and community-oriented honors program that serves the needs of academically talented students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Another hallmark of the program is its constantly evolving…

Describes the origins, design, and students of the honors program at the University of California at Irvine. Over half the honors program students are foreign born and over half use English as a second language. The program encourages development of leadership skills and provides a supportive academic community within a growing research university…

At the University of Minnesota, the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs was established as an all-university unit with resources to establish community connections, facilitate and support faculty and graduate student urban research and outreach, and help integrate urban concerns into a large, urban-located land-grant university. Its structure,…

The honors program at the University of Texas at San Antonio serves an ethnically diverse, often underprepared, and commuter student population with special courses and support. The program's success to date illustrates the importance of strong support and effective leadership at all levels within the institution. (Author/MSE)

The three basic strategic objectives any metropolitan university must address in order to build a solid base of alumni support are the characteristics of the current student population, demographics and mindset of the alumni base, and relationships with the surrounding community. Activities at Boise State University (Idaho) in each of these areas…

The Honors College at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County has an interdisciplinary curriculum rich in the liberal arts, serves a diverse student population, and frequently takes advantage of the cultural resources of the Baltimore metropolitan area. The college attempts to make intellectual exercise for its own sake available to as wide…

Health professions schools can contribute significantly to the mission of metropolitan universities and have substantial impact on their communities. In addition to the direct impact of their graduates and affiliate health care facilities, they can make a major contribution serving the community's health care needs, as illustrated by activities at…

A thorough review and revision of curriculum at San Jose State University (California) illustrates that the modern university can achieve major internal academic reforms when two important conditions are met: legitimacy and energy. These two concepts are defined and practical illustrations are drawn from the institution's recent experience in…

Describes the Peter Kiewit Institute at the University of Nebraska, an entrepreneurial institute involving the College of Information Science & Technology, the College of Engineering and Technology, and Omaha's business community. (EV)

Discusses common themes in the successes and challenges experienced by some of the chief models of community engagement presented at the "University as Citizen" Conference: Portland State University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of California at San Diego, University of Free State in South…

The University of Texas at El Paso has provided leadership and support for several collaborative K-16 reform activities. A closed-loop, K-12, preservice teacher preparation system supported by generous extramural funding has provided the university, community college, and local schools with opportunities for conversation, shared vision, and…

Asserting that exploration of the role of higher education in community building is not unique to the United States, describes examples of collaborative efforts involving universities and communities working together in the United States, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, and Mexico. (EV)

Discusses reasons for success of a collaborative effort involving the University of Massachusetts Boston and area community colleges, which has resulted in improved application and admissions processes, a more efficient student transfer process among institutions, improved graduation rates, greater commonality and articulation of curricula across…

Describes the University of New Orleans' Research and Technology Foundation, which relied heavily on Steven Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" to create an innovative model of ownership, construction, and financing to overcome paralyzing barriers to facility development. The effort has resulted in multiple development…

Describes how Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, an "Implementing Urban Missions" grantee, used an Urban Research Group model to involve undergraduates in community research; the needs of community-based organizations and the service mission of the university determine the amount of student involvement. (EV)