Community Forum on Civic Engagement

On September 14, 2004, fifty community and campus leaders came together for a two-hour session to talk about Boise State’s civic engagement initiative:  what it is, what it means, and how it might be developed.  Boise State University President Bob Kustra opened the session and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Stephanie Witt presented an overview of Civic Engagement at Boise State University.  Much of the meeting was devoted to conversation among the participants to share ideas about how the campus and community might develop mutually beneficial partnerships.

Participants discussed in small groups a series of questions that focused on four aspects of Boise State’s civic engagement initiative: 1) Current campus-community partnerships and opportunities for civic engagement; 2) Hopes and concerns regarding future partnerships and opportunities for civic engagement; 3) Images of what successful civic engagement partnerships look like and how they impact the community; and 4) Next steps that campus and community leaders might take to follow up on this initial conversation.

All responses recorded by scribes as the conversation took place in small groups are available.  Below is a summary of the themes that emerged in each of the four topics. (click here for full list of responses)

1.         Current campus-community partnerships and opportunities for civic engagement

Students serve as interns in a wide spectrum of private and public-sector organizations, from the state legislature and the police department, to health-care agencies and the public schools.  Service-learning as a class requirement in many disciplines is enhancing students’ classroom learning while meeting community needs.  Faculty lend expertise to identify and address social, business and political issues.  Colleges and departments sponsor a variety of outreach programs that provide everything from computers for kids to dental x-rays for families who cannot afford them.  Boise State hosts many events and activities to which the community is invited and encouraged to participate.

2.         Hopes and concerns regarding future partnerships and opportunities

Participants are excited about the potential for increased partnerships and opportunities that can make a meaningful difference in our community.  The focus on civic engagement is timely with new leadership both in the city of Boise and at Boise State University.  There is no shortage of potential areas for involvement; matching resources (people, time, money) with need will be a large undertaking.

Motivating students, faculty, and community members of all ages to become engaged is a tough challenge.  Campus and community leaders will need to remove barriers, create incentives, and package opportunities to attract interest and commitment.  We have now set an expectation that we will increase the quality and quantity of civic engagement opportunities; resources, infrastructure, and coordinated program development now must follow.

3.         Images of what successful civic engagement partnerships look like 

Successful community engagement means that student learning is well-integrated between the classroom and “real world” experience; that there are more internship and service-learning opportunities in all disciplines; that both political and non-political involvement is encouraged; and that students know the positive impact that an active, educated citizenry can have. 

Successful community engagement means that faculty don’t compartmentalize their work: that teaching, service and research are well-integrated and that reward structures reflect this.  Faculty and community leaders enhance each other’s work by sharing their expertise and work as partners to address pressing issues. 

When faculty, students and community leaders agree to engage in partnerships for the benefit of our community, a sense of hope and vitality is evident.  We have a better informed, better-trained workforce and citizens that know the value of collaboration, proactive problem solving, and participation in public policy making.

4.         Next steps that campus and community leaders might take

Getting the word out both on campus and in the community that civic engagement is valued and practiced at Boise State is essential.  Coordination and communication structures should be developed, both on campus and in the community.  As Boise State “reaches out,” community leaders need to “reach back,” and conversations like this one should be the beginning of an ongoing, regular network of opportunities for the sharing of ideas and goals.