Carnegie Selects CSU San Marcos for New Elective Community Engagement Classification

December 6, 2006

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching today announced that California State University San Marcos is one of 12 California universities and colleges and one of 76 nationwide selected to receive its new Community Engagement Classification.  Unlike the Foundation’s other classifications that rely on national data, this is an “elective” classification—institutions submitted required documentation describing the nature and extent of their engagement with the community, be it local or beyond.  In spring 2006, a select group from the hundreds of eligible universities and colleges across the country were invited to apply for the new classification.  Eighty-eight of those applied.

“The Community Engagement Classification is an exciting move in Carnegie’s work to extend and refine the classification of colleges and universities,” said Alexander McCormick, who directs Carnegie’s classification work. “It represents a significant affirmation of the importance of community engagement in the agenda of higher education.”

In presenting the classification, Carnegie noted that CSU San Marcos’ application demonstrated excellent alignment between mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices that support noteworthy community engagement.

“The Carnegie designation recognizes that we have institutionalized community engagement in everything we do, and demonstrates our capacity for leading initiatives and partnering to meet community needs,” said Karen S. Haynes, CSUSM President.  “And we remain committed to building and strengthening our partnerships in the community and providing curricula that prepare graduates to be contributing members of society.”

Institutions were classified in Curricular Engagement, Outreach and Partnerships, or both.  CSUSM was classified in both Curricular Engagement and Outreach & Partnerships categories.  The categories are defined as:

Curricular Engagement describes teaching, learning and scholarship which engage faculty, students and

community in mutually beneficial and respectful collaboration. Their interactions address community-identified needs, deepen students’ civic and academic learning, enhance community well-being and enrich the scholarship of the institution.

Outreach and Partnerships describes two different but related approaches to community engagement.  The first focuses on the application and provision of institutional resources for community use with benefits to both campus and community.  The latter focuses on collaborative interactions with community and related scholarship for the mutually beneficial exchange, exploration and application of knowledge, information and resources (research, capacity building, economic development, etc.).

“There was overwhelming evidence of community engagement at CSUSM, including research activities focused on community issues, civic engagement and service oriented learning in coursework, and outreach to the community through various partnerships and initiatives,” said Jan Jackson, Dean of Extended Studies and Community Engagement Advocate.  “Also, we now have a framework by which to continue developing how we approach partnerships in the community, assess community satisfaction and promote involvement of our community members in the planning and implementation of community engagement.” 

About California State University San Marcos:

California State University San Marcos is a four-year, comprehensive public university and one of the fastest growing and most modern campuses in the 23-campus CSU system.  The University is known for rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs distinguished by exemplary teaching, innovative curricula, and the application of new technologies.  CSUSM focuses on its 8,500+ students as active participants in the learning process. The hillside campus is minutes from some of California’s finest beaches and 25 miles north of San Diego. For more information, please visit www.csusm.edu.

About the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching:

Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1905 and chartered in 1906 by an act of Congress, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is an independent policy and research center with the primary mission “to do and perform all things necessary to encourage, uphold, and dignify the profession of the teacher and the cause of higher education.” The improvement of teaching and learning is central to all of the Foundation’s work. The Foundation is located in Stanford, Calif. More information may be found on the Web site at www.carnegiefoundation.org.

For more information, contact Matthew Ceppi, Director, Institutional Planning & Analysis at (760) 750- 4061.