Core Component 5B:
The organization has the capacity and the commitment to engage with its identified constituencies and communities.

Capacity as an Important Part of our Strategic Plan

As the Strategic Plan indicates, St. Cloud State University continues its long-standing tradition of engagement and service, and has established systems and processes to facilitate these activities. The Strategic Plan identifies University Community Relations as one of five performance indicators. The university is committed to “support and recognize partnership development and community engagement efforts that contribute to the well-being and stability of the university and its external stakeholders.” To focus this endeavor, St. Cloud State University has identified goals of receiving adequate support from the external community and serving as a resource for the surrounding community. In spring 2006, 21 specific performance indicators and data sources were approved, and the campus is now beginning to gather evidence of the degree to which the performance indicators are being met.

Increasing our Capacity Through Service

Our capacity for service is a direct outgrowth of a culture of service whereby the university establishes relationships with our constituents and who then work together to share resources and expertise. An example of such a relationship is the Alumni Mentoring Program. The program’s purpose is to provide students with opportunities to benefit from the expertise and experiences of our alumni and, at the same time, to invite our alumni to participate in our educational mission.

Because of our rich history as a normal school, one of the important ways we serve our constituencies programmatically is the outreach provided to schools in the surrounding communities. Our outreach to elementary and secondary schools includes long-standing programs through the College of Education, and include initiatives designed to aid underserved populations such as the Leadership Development Project in the College of Education’s Office of Cultural Diversity. Students of color from surrounding school districts as well as the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas visit St. Cloud State University and participate in leadership activities, talk with professors, and experience a day “on campus”. Since 1993, over 3100 students have participated.

Over the last ten years, more than 2,500 students from underrepresented groups in area schools have participated in the Pipeline Summer Camp Programs, including the Advanced Program in Science and Technology, Scientific Discovery Program, and a Math-Science Computer Camp. The G. R. Herberger College of Business hosts a summer program, Best Prep, for students interested in business.

The English as a Second Language (ESL) and Teaching ESL (TESL) programs in the Department of English provide a valuable service to our constituents as the area continues to attract immigrants. District 742 (St. Cloud School District) has seen an increase from 700 to 900 students who require ESL instruction, and our programs are dedicated to providing the teachers necessary to meet the needs of those students and their families. The internal structures established in the different colleges serve as a strong link to our surrounding schools and demonstrate a commitment to meeting the changing needs of our constituencies.

Our capacity to serve our constituents is in part sustained by our practice of integrating service and engagement throughout our curriculum. We have invested in professional development related to engagement and service through the work at the Center of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). For example, the keynote address at the Fall 2006 CETL plenary session was given by JoAnn Campbell, Senior Program Director for Minnesota Campus Compact, and focused on exploring ways that working together on civic engagement and service learning might energize and enhance teaching and learning. Thus, St. Cloud State University works hard to communicate the message that service is part of our campus culture, and this contributes greatly to our capacity to serve.

Faculty and Service

One of the greatest contributions that St. Cloud State University makes to service and engagement comes through personnel resources provided by faculty. Professional development and evaluation standards state that faculty must provide service to the university and community. Professional Development Reports (PDR) prepared by faculty members on a systematic basis provide clear evidence on an ongoing basis that our faculty are actively identifying constituencies, cultivating relationships, and providing an abundance of service and engagement activities related to academic disciplines. We are proud of the service efforts of faculty and recognize those achievements in the retention, promotion, and tenure process.

Service Learning

Service learning is an effective teaching strategy that enriches the curriculum by combining meaningful community service with academic learning. Our NSSE data indicated that 20 percent of senior students participated in a community-based project as part of a regular course in 2005, as compared to nine percent in 2003. The fact that twice as many seniors as first-year students worked on a service learning project in a course perhaps speaks to the appropriateness of "real world" experiences in their disciplines as students move closer to graduation. Several of the NSSE questions are directly related to the value of service and engagement activities. Ten percent of all students participated in a community-based project as part of a regular course in 2005, as compared to five percent in 2003. Thus approximately twice as many students were aware of service learning in their courses within a two year time period, corroborating the fact that service learning has increased in the campus curriculum.

In recent years, the university has increased its commitment to service learning by designating a coordinator for these activities. Service learning activities are now coordinated by an AmeriCorp member who reports to the Volunteer Connection Coordinator in Student Life and Development and is available to assist faculty members with designing course activities that meet service learning criteria. Several web-based tools have been created to help faculty investigate using service learning in their curriculum through participation in book discussions, campus speakers, and workshop sessions. The impact of this increased commitment is evident in the increased participation since 2003.

Student and Faculty Participation
Academic Year	Number of students	Number of faculty	Number of hours
2003-2004	97	11	1852
2004-2005	448	19	9718
2005-2006	583	23	10,300

As illustrated in the above chart, the Volunteer Connection officially recognized 583 St. Cloud State University students and 23 faculty members as being involved with service learning during the 2005-2006 academic year. However, the actual number of participants was probably higher as faculty members who are involved in programs have not always identified themselves. Efforts continue to encourage faculty to complete official recognition of courses that include service learning components.

During 2005-2006, a Service Learning Advisory Committee was initiated to support established service learning projects and encourage the growth of such experiences for St. Cloud State University students. Along with the Service Learning Coordinator, the committee includes two faculty representatives elected from each college, at least one of whom has implemented a significant service learning project in at least one class; two student representatives appointed by student government; a representative of the St. Cloud Area Volunteer Coordinators (SCAVC); Volunteer Connection Coordinator; United Way Manager of Partnerships and Services, Retired Senior Volunteer Program Coordinator; and an ex-officio representative of university administration appointed by the Provost.

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) awards service learning grants to increase service learning opportunities for students, improve the number of faculty using service learning in the teaching and learning process, and raise the institutional profile regarding student learning. Nine faculty members received CETL grants and will spend time during 2006 - 2007 developing service learning activities within specific courses. Service learning activities were also highlighted in a recent issue of the St. Cloud State University publication Outlook.

In addition to service learning promotion, St. Cloud State University is affiliated with Minnesota Campus Compact, the only coalition in Minnesota devoted to the support of campus/community partnerships. Several St. Cloud State University faculty members have received Campus Compact grants to promote service learning and other forms of student civic engagement.

In spring 2005, five faculty members received the first St. Cloud State University recognition awards for integrating outstanding service learning into the curriculum of their courses. Projects included students in Environmental and Technology Studies helping to construct a Habitat for Humanity site; Democratic Citizenship students designing and fundraising for the installation of an accessible playground; German students translating local historical texts and working with German-speaking residents at a local senior center; sociology students studying urban issues in a Midwest city; and management students developing strategic plans for agencies in the St. Cloud area.

Student Life and Development

A powerful and visible statement of our commitment to our constituents is the exemplary work provided by the service units in Student Life and Development. One unit is perhaps the clearest examples of the relationship between the university and external constituents that demonstrates how the university provides services to its constituencies. The American Indian Center (AIC) provides services to students but also coordinates services and activities with American Indian communities in Minnesota. The Center’s unique mission on campus and with communities is a reflection of the university’s recognition of American Indian sovereignty and the historical relationship with indigenous nations. Two American Indian Center Programs, for example, offer unique opportunities for the community. Project Engage invites students to visit the university, participate in planned activities, and stay overnight. The Early Academic Opportunity Program offers American Indian secondary students an opportunity to enroll and benefit from the special services offered by the AIC. These programs, along with the summer Advanced Placement Program, offered as a joint project of Student Life and Development and Academic Affairs, provide entrance to the university for traditionally underserved students.

Other examples of divisions within Student Life and Development that routinely reach out to our external constituencies are as follows:

• Sports Facilities and Campus Recreation is particularly active in providing both facilities use and extensive programming for neighborhood and St. Cloud community members from children through adults.
• GLBT Services sponsors numerous activities including a film series open to the public.
• Multicultural Student Services provides assistance and mentoring to domestic students of color as well as providing support for student clubs and organizations.
• The Women’s Center contributes to the community through outreach programs and through the sharing of expertise and resources. The Women’s Center sponsors many activities including R.A.D. Self Defense Training and Take Back the Night community march. Another notable example is also the long standing relationship with the Anna Marie’s Battered Women’s Shelter.

These service units, serving as a foundation for our inner capacity, have strong relationships with their constituencies and engage them on an ongoing basis providing education and service. We believe our service units exemplify the idea of service through sustained relationships and a commitment to serving out of a sense of respect and an understanding of mutual benefit.

Our Response to Identified Needs of the Community and Students

The university maintains and staffs a number of other units that specifically support service and engagement activities. Volunteer Connection is a primary university conduit to connect external constituencies needing service with volunteers from St. Cloud State University. The mission of Volunteer Connection is to provide students the opportunity to develop leadership skills, a sense of belonging, and a commitment to civic responsibility through involvement in meaningful service. Because St. Cloud State University has a long-established reputation for community service, Volunteer Connection received more than 225 requests last year for volunteers from external constituencies, primarily nonprofit organizations. To match volunteers with needs, Volunteer Connection publishes the bi-weekly Service Bulletin, a web-based listing that is emailed to hundreds of nonprofit organizations as well as on-campus units and describes volunteer and service opportunities for both audiences. A website is also available providing a list of service opportunities, special events, and nonprofit agencies as well as service hours completed. Staff members provide assistance to individual students and groups in identifying service opportunities as well as providing guided reflection activities to groups. In addition, Volunteer Connection sponsors numerous and varied service activities throughout the year, often responding to new and immediate needs. Finally, the Service Learning Coordinator of the Volunteer Connection staff is developing a Service Learning Coalition which includes community and campus members, to support faculty in their service learning efforts and extension of learning into the community.

Commitment Through Sharing Resources

The James W. Miller Learning Resources Center is a regional library that provides library and technology resources not only for the campus community but also for community patrons from the surrounding region. In addition, the Office of Academic Affairs provides support for outreach projects, thus increasing the capacity of departments and faculty to actively engage with and serve constituencies as needed. In addition, as some centers are not housed in a college but have academic programs, the office provides supervision and support for both the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education (CHGE), which provide resources both to the university and the community. CHGE, for example, provides educational programs within the university, in-service workshops for area teachers, and classroom materials for teachers throughout central Minnesota. Also, the university has established an Office for Jewish Community Resources (JCR) that is directed by the Director of Jewish Studies and offers outreach programs and activities to area high schools and the community. Both the CHGE and the JCR offices collaborate with other universities and community agencies.

Another notable example of university and community collaboration is Theatre L’Homme Dieu, a professional summer theatre with a strong educational component located in Alexandria, Minnesota. Founded in 1961, the theatre is operated by the Alexandria-St Cloud State University Performing Arts Foundation. It produces a ten-week season of plays and musicals each summer, employing professional actors, directors, and designers drawn primarily from the Twin Cities theatre community and employing resident interns, approximately twenty students, who are theatre majors from the university and around the Midwest. The theatre provides cultural events for central Minnesota and contributes to the cultural and economic strength of the Alexandria area.

Campus Facilities

St. Cloud State University plays an important part in the community by providing programs as well as facilities for the local community. Currently, St. Cloud State University has physical facilities that frequently meet the needs of both internal and external constituents. Atwood Memorial Center, Ritsche Auditorium, the James W. Miller Learning Resources Center, Halenbeck Hall, the National Hockey Center, the new multi-purpose Husky Stadium / Dome, and the Atwood Mall all offer physical space for campus and community activities including the fine arts, athletics, graduations, concerts, speakers, exhibits, and festivals such as the annual Lemonade Art Fair, a community festival now in its thirty-fourth year and attended by 15,000 to 18,000 community members yearly. These activities and facilities attract thousands of community members to the St. Cloud State University campus each year (see Resource Room for more detail). St. Cloud State University acknowledges the importance of these uses by identifying the service community as an important part of the Campus Master Plan.

Continuing Studies

St. Cloud State University’s Center for Continuing Studies (CS) offers numerous off-campus courses, Evening and Weekend University, and online programs to assist licensed professional and other technical employees with maintaining and improving skills for today's changing work environments. CS offers customized training in 21 areas such as computer programming, information technology training, management and leadership, paralegal, and understanding and dismantling racism (CARE training). In addition, CS will design and deliver training at the request of clients. For example, the center has an established Minnesota Highway Safety and Research Center that is well known for outreach at the State and national levels. Additionally, CS has received Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Grants to develop internship placements for organizations such as Electrolux, Park Industries, and Trivirix. The frequently asked questions section on the Continuing Studies website indicates the extent to which these services help to provide higher education for place- and time-bound students. Continuing Studies also provides extensive resources to faculty working in this education delivery system.

High School to College Programs

Several programs that encourage pre-college students, a growing constituency, to pursue college work are solidly in place. The Senior-to-Sophomore Program involves 14 St. Cloud State University departments and 18 area high schools working together to deliver college level courses. In 2005-2006 1,707 course enrollments from 1,512 high school students generated 5,671 credits. Currently 288 students from area high schools are enrolled in the Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Program, providing another option to pursue higher education during the secondary years. Students are able to take college classes with all course tuition, fees, and textbooks covered by State funds.

The Center for Continuing Studies is committed to gathering and analyzing constituent feedback on an ongoing basis. Professional training and development (non-credit) workshops are evaluated after each workshop, conference, or seminar offered. The participant feedback is used to evaluate the appropriateness of content to the audience and the effectiveness of the presenter. Feedback is used in making decisions about future non-credit offerings and changing and updating services and procedures for student service. For example, when CS began offering online registration requests, students were asked to list their social security numbers. When students provided feedback that the site was not secure, CS immediately contacted LRTS to move the registration form to the secure server.

A commitment to continuing education offers the university the opportunity to respond to community needs by developing outreach programs. The Minnesota Educational Leadership Academy, Customized Education, Minnesota Victim Assistance Academy, and the Institute for Alternative Dispute Resolution are examples of programs that have been developed to provide services when there was an identified need within the community.

Finally, to meet the needs of our constituencies, many aspects of the university have been oriented toward creating an effective learning environment. From a well-organized campus security to new technologies in the classrooms, ever-increasing online capabilities, and ongoing faculty development, the university demonstrates a consistent commitment to provide one of the best learning environments available in a university today. For example, St. Cloud State University has expanded its venue of graduate programs. The creation of online programs from the Center for Continuing Studies is an example of a powerful response to the needs and desires of a digital generation.

Sharing the News – Increasing our capacity to serve

University Communications plays an active role in keeping the community informed about activities at St. Cloud State University. University Communications maintains the St. Cloud State University homepage, including the day's events and a highlighted news story each day, which are archived on the web for future reference. They also write press releases for the St. Cloud Times and other area news media, with many of the articles focusing on service and engagement activities and programs of interest at the university. This office maintains an extensive "expertise list" of professors and others on campus who are willing to be contacted by the public or the press regarding particular issues. More than 90,000 alumni are reached by Outlook, a magazine published by the Alumni Foundation. A new newsletter produced by the Office of the Provost and Academic Vice President, Accolades, is dedicated to sharing the achievements of faculty, staff, and students and although primarily designed for distribution on the campus is available to all constituents.

Evaluation of Core Component 5B

Strengths: Through its Strategic Plan, St. Cloud State University has identified the university/community connection as critical to the university’s mission and to students’ education. Faculty members at St. Cloud State University are committed to a culture of service and provide extensive connections between the university and the various communities it serves. The university has several strong units such as Student Life and Development, Volunteer Connection, Women’s Center, and Campus Recreation that highlight community engagement and service as a major component of their missions. Facilities at the university are available for community use through an abundance of activities and programs open to the larger community as well as for community conferences, conventions, meetings, and other events. The Center for Continuing Studies provides extensive educational and training opportunities through a variety of delivery methods, including using technology to support online and distance learning activities for external constituencies.

Initiatives in Progress: To build on its long-standing service commitment, St. Cloud State University has placed more emphasis on developing service learning programs that complement course and program curricula in recent years. A Service Learning Coalition is being developed which includes community and campus members, to support faculty in their service learning efforts and extension of learning into the community.

Future Challenges: As mentioned in our discussion of Core Component 5A, we need to establish better lines of communication within the university and with our external partners in coordinating service and engagement activities. Our intention in to continue to support inter-department and inter-college committees and working groups that will help us better provide services to our constituencies with a scale of economy that also pleases them. We also need to develop an internal data management system to assist us in tracking our outreach activities.