The purpose of this document is to provide early concepts, a tone, and approach to developing a CE strategy. This is the beginning of a process and it will take time to articulate anticipated outcomes.
If we do not do anything we can assume that CE at UBC would carry on much like it is. That is to say the vast majority of community engagement will be of high quality and have a great deal of excellence in both scholarly output and benefit to communities. There may, however, be resentment towards the institution, a feeling that CE does not ‘count’ with regards to the academic career, a lack of communication and knowledge shared between practitioners, a neutral or negative impact on some communities and resources not leveraged or supported to their full extent.
If, however, we agree on the imperative for community engagement and that central administration is in a unique position to support CE at an institution-wide level, then a CE Strategy is necessary to make the following differences 5, 10 or 20 years from now. Positive changes will include improved/stronger:
- Awareness of community engagement at UBC and of CE as scholarship;
- Leveraging of knowledge and resources;
- Trust between CE practitioners and the University administration;
- Recognition of UBC as a leader in Community Engagement as well as in Student Learning and Research Excellence; and
- Reciprocal relations with external communities where together, UBC and communities stimulate actions that contribute to a civil and sustainable society.
