Service Priorities

In 2008-09, NYCC is  focused on assisting institutions at different levels of commitment and experience with service-learning, campus/community partnerships and civic engagement programs. NYCC membership will be particularly valuable for the following types of institutions:

• Institutions that are at earlier stages in developing service-learning/civic engagement policies and programs.  NYCC provides a state-based network of accessible “kindred spirits” and ongoing technical assistance (faculty workshops; best practices seminars) as well as access to the extensive resources (publications, tool-kits, consultants) of the national Campus Compact.

• Institutions that are seeking grants for faculty and course development, staff support, and project funds.  NYCC is committed to securing funding for subgrants to members (e.g., NYCC’s Learn and Serve award and expansion of VISTA sites) and to providing information on funding opportunities and partnerships.

• Institutions that wish to work with other colleges in their geographical areas to establish/expand regional community partnerships in order to share resources to meet local needs.  Again, we are a state-based network with established communication channels and publications (e.g., NYCC’s Communiqué, list serve and Occasional Papers series), and frequent opportunities to interact on the local level through the Regional Roundtables. The Learn and Serve grant has funded eight regional networks and six academic discipline networks in NY and PA.

• Institutions with established service-learning and civic engagement agendas that wish to advance the field through legislative action in New York.  A large-membership organization like NYCC can muster support from nearly all legislative districts in the state, and can represent a substantial number of campuses AND campus/community partnerships.  We are currently working with both Senate and Assembly offices on a bill that will support campus/community partnerships.  A draft bill, the “Higher Education Community Service Enhancement Act,” is the vehicle for this effort. (LINK to HECSEA and BlueprinT  For Action in NYCC publications.)

• Institutions that wish to provide leadership and citizenship opportunities for their students—in the context of students’ commitments to studies, jobs, and families.  A state network of institutions like NYCC can provide to four-year and community colleges the models/best practices and the local networks or regional connections that are appropriate and attractive to their students. The student-led NYCC Student Voice is one such outlet.