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Community Service-Volunteer Center
Presidential Statement on Civic Engagement - Michael Rao, President of Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University 's (CMU) commitment to community service, service learning and civic engagement is prominently affirmed in its mission and vision statements. Participation in service is embraced by all elements of the university community and is reflected in the programs and partnerships we enjoy in our immediate region, the state, the nation and in other countries.
Students, faculty and staff are involved in community service activities, academic-based projects of benefit to the area, and formal partnerships with organizations for the purpose of combining forces to address common goals. Examples of these are:
Student volunteerism : Over 2,000 CMU students annually provide volunteer services in the local community and state throughout the academic year. In addition, over 300 students this past year participated in service programs in Arkansas, New Mexico, New York, Florida, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., Brazil, and Romania.
Service learning : Approximately 15% of CMU's faculty members integrate service-learning experiences into their courses, and 35 to 40 courses that include a service-learning component are offered regularly.
Civic engagement : CMU partners with other institutions to jointly address immediate issues dealing with the economic, social, health, educational, political, recreational and environmental well-being of the people and area. Four of the more prominent of these in recent years are:
- Center for Applied Research and Technology: A partnership with local government and major industries to nurture and support the growth of for-profit enterprises that demonstrate a strong relationship with the university - its students, faculty, staff, programs and academic mission.
- Arts and the City: A joint venture to develop a storytelling festival to serve students in grades K - 12 and citizens of Michigan.
- Rural Telehealth and Community Education Network: As a result of federal grant funding, the health profession disciplines provide information and support via electronic means to rural areas understaffed by medical professionals.
- Community Agency Agreement: Formal agreements that place CMU students in social service agencies outside the county in which the university is located.
The education of our students, the character of our university, and the quality of life in our community are enhanced by the service we perform. Our commitment to service will increase and our contributions to society will grow. Central Michigan University will continue to value service and its importance in the lives of our students and nation.