University-Community Partnerships- Why Bother?

Abstract

Communities are increasingly calling upon universities to extend their resources so as to engage actively in the community s revitalization. The long term viability of both the university and its community relies on an equal status partnership to direct education and research efforts toward current and future needs. This is necessary to ensure that the community flourishes and can continue thereby to support the university. Examples from the Great Cities Initiative of the University of Illinois at Chicago describe the importance and difficulties of these partnership endeavors.