Why does higher education need this project?

What were the pilot campuses and their projects?

Can any campus participate in the project?

Do campuses need to be connected to SVHE?

How much does it cost to participate?

Why does higher education need this project?

In recent years, public commentators have decried the decline of community life in American society. Excessive individualism and a lack of commitment to the common good threaten the long-term stability of democracy. Signs of a weakened civic health are manifest in many ways and have been well documented: declining numbers of Americans vote, much less volunteer, organize, join community groups, and run for public office, essential foundations of healthy communities and a strong democracy.

Accused of being "part of the problem rather than the solution," higher education now appears to be responding. We see new programs in diversity, civic education and engagement, interdisciplinary learning communities, teaching and learning for community building, ethics-across-the-curriculum, academic honesty, and spirituality. To look at conference agendas, web sites, and publications, it appears that these values-based movements top higher education's agenda.

To what extent, however, is this agenda realized on our campuses? According to research, the answer is "not enough." These initiatives are often marginalized, invisible, unrewarded, and disconnected from what most academics perceive as what really counts - theoretical research and student career preparation. Despite their spoken commitment to values-based initiatives, colleges and universities continue to operate in ways that undermine their ability to advance broad democratic principles, to practice what they teach.

Civic renewal initiatives will only succeed if colleges and universities can create and sustain the conditions where democratic practices - and the values and beliefs that inform them - firmly reflect the campus culture. And this can only happen if campuses are themselves strong communities with a capacity to engage in dialogue, collaborative action, and systemic change around commonly perceived problems.

Return to questions

SVHE originally invited three campuses to participate in this pilot phase of the project. As the project phase progressed, that number was increased to four. Each campus was asked to identify a values-based issue that would be the initial focus for the project. The four pilot campuses and their projects are as follows:

Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL is focusing on strengthening a culture of learning at its time of unprecedented growth and change;

Manhattan College in NY is conducting a comprehensive values audit that will lead to long-term strategic planning;

Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR is seeking to strengthen its understanding of and commitment to diversity; and,

The University of Hartford in CT is focusing on the scholarship of teaching and learning.

The process for becoming involved in DVP is informal, but we require that campuses submit evidence of the following:

1. A willingness to convene a campus leadership team consisting of faculty, administrative leaders, students, community partners (if appropriate), trustees. These individuals must agree to participate in the project for two years.
   
2. Evidence of sustainablity: Interested campuses must supply evidence of their commitment, such as letters of commitment from the president and faculty leaders.
   
3. A budget to support the leadership team and its campus and community-based activities. That budget will be determined on a campus-by-campus basis depending on the complexity of the issue and the level of support the campus needs.
4. Campuses should develop an evaluation strategy that describes how the project's effectiveness will be measured.
   Return to questions

Do campuses need to be connected to SVHE?

No, but we learned that it helps. At a minimum, campuses must share SVHE's commitment to core values of integrity, diversity, social justice, and civic responsibility.

More importantly, SVHE consists of educators and others who believe in the value of community. Unlike most annual events of national higher education associations, its annual meeting welcomes families and particularly children. Spouses often join and become long-standing members. Many morning groups continue for years. Afternoons and evenings are informal and entertaining. We welcome people from all disciplines, faiths, racial and ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, and life experiences.

How much does it cost to participate?

Each campus must set aside $3000 for the campus team and must pay a baseline fee of $3000 to SVHE. There will be additional charges but precisely how much depends on the tools a campus chooses to employ and the level of involvement of the DVP director. The project is subsidized by SVHE, private gifts, foundations, and other financial support. So the fees are reasonable.