Describes the "Community Defined Health" (trademark) process developed by the Center for Health Professions, Saginaw, Michigan, to capture caring, citizen engagement, and the quality of relationships and assure that these intangible assets become as valuable as institutionally defined health indicators in curricula for the health…

Describes the "NU Directions" program of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1 of 10 programs administered by the American Medical Association to use campus-community coalitions and a comprehensive approach to crate change and reduce collegiate high-risk drinking. Discusses the challenges, benefits, and lessons learned in creating this…

Describes the process by which the Towson State University (Maryland) Center for Instructional Advancement and Technology was created and grew to a staff of 10 within 18 months, noting six factors: response to clear need; a range of programs; rapid staffing and facilities provision; high-level administrative leadership; supportive institutional…

Fund-raising professionals explain why private fund raising is important for metropolitan public universities, and describe the beginning of a $50-million campaign at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, a 33-year-old institution that had never mounted a major fund-raising effort. Development of campaign strategy, key campaign elements, and…

An early proponent of university development of community outreach partnership centers (COPCs) outlines his philosophy and encourages institutions to establish and nurture such programs, both for the public good and to promote positive change within the university. (MSE)

A national survey of 186 urban public colleges and universities indicates substantial community service at almost all. Principal areas of activity and barriers to meeting this aspect of institutional mission are discussed here, and strategies to leverage resources and expand service capability are suggested. (Author/MSE)

Introduces other articles in this issue devoted to distributed learning at metropolitan universities. Discusses issues that institutions should address if considering distributed learning: institutional goals and strategic plans, faculty development needs and capabilities, student support services, technical and personnel infrastructure, policies,…

Asserting that providing infrastructure to support online classes is analogous to building a new physical campus adjacent to the pre-existing one, describes the support requirements of online faculty, information technology networks, students, and administrators. Says that if these infrastructure considerations are not addressed near the beginning…

University of Nebraska, Omaha, projects reflecting active partnership with the community include the Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium, which links public school personnel with university faculty to address issues of common concern, and the College of Information Science and Technology, created to operate in close cooperation with…

Addresses: (1) distance learning as a strategy for educational access; (2) nontraditional students as traditional distance learners; (3) asynchronous distance learning; (4) synchronous distance learning; (5) access as a necessary but insufficient measure of opportunity; (6) using technology wisely and well; (7) eclectic learning opportunities for…

The history and status of the field of urban and public affairs are discussed, and some characteristics of the 13 existing graduate programs in this area are identified. Ways to organize a high-quality graduate degree program and to avoid common internal institutional obstacles are considered. Some new initiatives in metropolitan universities are…

Strategies for building the connection between an urban university and the surrounding community through a service learning program are discussed, drawing on the experience of the Shriver Center at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County campus. Issues addressed include consideration of program form and function, faculty involvement, and…

Ways in which a college or university can support and enhance service learning pedagogy are explored, including practical strategies for curriculum design, faculty development, and administrative support. Illustrations are drawn from Loyola College of Maryland, whose program has five categories of initiative: a service-leadership track, a…

Virginia Commonwealth University confronted shrinking resources for its urban mission by creating a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree program. The program addressed a number of challenges and was built using existing resources in the university and professional communities. Despite early financial concerns, the program now combines needed…

Project Refocus, the University of Missouri Kansas City's long-term, cross-sector collaborative project brings together business, labor, government, and higher education to address changing employment needs and retraining of laid-off workers. The program's 15-year evolution, activities, achievements, and lessons learned are described. (Author/MSE)