Transcript The Urban Affairs Center

The Urban Affairs Center
A Vision
Building Upon Existing
Strengths & Identifying
New Opportunities
The Urban Affairs Center
The Context
The Ohio Urban
University Program
The Urban University Program
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Cleveland State University
Kent State University
The Ohio State University
The University of Akron
The University of Toledo
University of Cincinnati
Wright State University
Youngstown State University
UUP Mission
The mission of the Ohio Urban University Program
is to apply the resources of urban universities to
help identify urban problems and propose solutions
designed to enhance the vitality of Ohio’s urban
regions and distressed central cities. This mission
will be implemented through collaborative
university networks and individual centers of
excellence.
UUP Goals
 Address Ohio’s urban problems and opportunities by
supporting collaborative inter-institutional research and
service networks.
 Propose solutions by undertaking research, education and
training, technical assistance, database development, and
design services.
 Communicate findings of UUP-related activities to state and
local policy makers and citizens.
 Develop and encourage a synergistic process of combining
the strengths of traditional university research and teaching
with the public service role of the urban university.
The University of Toledo
Urban Affairs Center
August 1999
What I Found!
The Hidden Jewel
“The Urban Affairs
Center is one of Toledo’s
hidden jewels!”
Andy Benson, New Ohio Institute
UAC Advisory Committee Member
Existing Strengths
 Numerous projects
 Long term positive relationships and
credibility
 Talented staff
 Good facilities & technology
 Controls its own budget
 Relationship with UUP
The Revised Mission
The Urban Affairs Center is an applied research unit of The
University of Toledo and a member of the Ohio Urban
University Program. Our mission is to enhance the vitality
of, and improve the quality of life in, Northwest Ohio's
urban region. To accomplish this we will apply the resources
of The University of Toledo, network with other Urban
Universities, and collaborate with local partners to help
identify urban problems and propose solutions. Our efforts
will include professional research, technical assistance,
education, training, community service, outreach, database
development, program development, and publication and
distribution of research findings.
Summary: UAC’s Major
Organizational Goals
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Forge and strengthen collaborative partnerships
Be responsive to needs identified by the community
Generate innovative ideas & demonstration projects
Promote and extend civil dialogue on issues of
regional concern
 Make urban data, research findings, & innovative
strategies more accessible
Summary: UAC’s Major
Organizational Goals
 Mobilize the resources of UUP to benefit our region
 Communicate research results & recommendations
to policy maker and citizens
 Encourage UT faculty to investigate urban issues
 Educate and train public officials, community
organizations, community leaders, and citizens to
more effectively address urban & regional issues
 Generate and leverage additional resources to
support the Center’s work
Expanding Upon
Existing Strengths
Urban & Regional Planning
Economic Development
Community Development and
Preservation
Identifying New Opportunities
 Increase the capacity of the UAC to take on more
projects
 Implement What Works Seminar Series
 Promote and support more collaborative research
projects
 Pursue “Prestige Projects” that will lead to
recognition for UAC and University
 Work with Community Advisory Committees to
identify opportunities & expand out image
The UAC
My Vision
What I’d Like to Build
&
How I’d Like to Build It …
The UAC: the Center of Urban
Innovation and Praxis
 A comfortable home where faculty and community meet to think and
plan, knowing ther ideas will be taken seriously and with the capacity to
enhance them.
 A site of civic discourse where widespread participation is valued and
where people, business, and ideas flourish.
 Improving the quality of people’s lives - a source of applied research and
projects that progressively improve our condition.
 Where good ideas come to thrive - the lead actor helping to identify and
transfer important new insights between the University and the
community.
 An organizing force - an essential partner for all groups seeking to
address an urban issue, research an urban topic, and/or mobilize support
for a project or program in the Toledo region.
 A place of eminence - a site of cutting-edge research and demonstration
projects that attract national recognition.
How to Build It
Build, Link, & Embed
Communities
Guiding Values
Guiding Strategies
An Effective UAC Director …
 Is multi-disciplinary in training and experience
 Cultivates good working relationships with faculty members
from all colleges and departments
 Has taught & engaged in research on social, economic, and
policy issues effecting urban communities
 Has experience working in a university applied research &
outreach center
 Is a respected member of the academic, social, political, &
economic networks that permeate the region.
 Must be able to communicate and publicize the efforts and
good work of UAC and the University as a Whole.
Conclusion
For the Urban Affairs Center to be effective it must solve problems and
promote innovative ideas on and off campus. The Director must draw
upon the insights and knowledge of the best people he or she can find:
on-campus, off-campus,or brought in from other campuses and other
communities. The Director must listen and then help bring together the
University and community partners who can address the issue. This may
include helping to identify and leverage the resources needed to succeed.
In sum, you advance a center, a university, a city and a region forward
by planning carefully, being inclusive, building skillfully, mobilizing
resources, ands sharing credit as accomplishments occur.