OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
The importance Kent State University places on outreach and
community service is highlighted in the Kent Institutional Characteristics
statement:
Kent State University is committed to being a
catalyst in finding solutions to the social, economic, and
cultural challenges facing society. By means of the
dissemination of results from basic and applied
research conducted by its faculty and graduate students,
as well as through programs offered through continuing
education and at the Regional Campuses, Kent
contributes significantly to the social and economic
vitality of Northeast Ohio, and the University provides
transportation and other important services to a
significant number of residents of Portage County.
[Kent Institutional Characteristics statement (KICS)]
A fundamental aspect of the outreach mission of the University is
to provide opportunities to Northeast Ohio citizens to learn throughout
their adult lives. Many units in the University are involved in providing
opportunities for lifelong learning with primary leadership coming from
the College of Continuing Studies on the Kent Campus and continuing
education offices at the Regional Campuses. Recognizing the increasing
need for learning opportunities at all ages, the University will
Goal: Provide leadership for the development and
implementation of quality lifelong educational
opportunities for the citizens of Northeast Ohio and
surrounding communities.
Objectives
Continue to develop continuing education programs
on the Kent Campus, the Regional Campuses, and
at designated off-campus sites (like the Chrysler
Plant in Twinsburg and the Trumbull Correctional
Institution).
Respond to the needs for workforce training and
development for business and industry and the
working adult population.
Build upon the successes of Regional Campuses in
educating "place-bound" students and meeting local
needs throughout Northeast Ohio.
Continue developing and offering associate degree
programs which meet the needs of constituent
communities.
Utilize distance learning technologies including
those available through WNEO/WEAO TV to
provide residents of Northeast Ohio greater access
to credit and noncredit continuing education
programs.
Develop collaborative continuing education and
outreach programs with other area universities.
An important part of the University's public service agenda is to
provide cultural enrichment and recreational opportunities to the citizens
of Northeast Ohio. This agenda is grounded in the belief that
The many activities fostered by the University in areas
such as art, music, fashion design, theater, dance,
recreation and intercollegiate athletics enrich the life of
the community. Its national public radio station,
university press and museum are important regional
and national assets.... (KICS)
The University will
Goal: Maintain its leadership role in providing cultural
enrichment programs to the citizens of Northeast Ohio.
Objectives
Highlight programs in art, dance, music, and theatre
(including Blossom Festival performances, the
African Community Theater, and the School of Art
Gallery) which provide significant cultural
experiences for the citizens of Northeast Ohio.
Accelerate fund-raising efforts on behalf of the Kent
State University Museum to ensure collection
enhancement and preservation as well as extended
hours of operation.
Encourage community participation in the variety of
arts programs sponsored by the Regional Campuses
from theatrical and musical productions to lecturers,
art shows, and festivals.
Accelerate efforts at all campuses to secure external
funding to support the development and delivery of
cultural and artistic events and programs.
Continue to support auxiliary enterprises which
extend and expand the University's cultural
programming to the region, such as WKSU-FM and
WNEO/WEAO-TV.
Assess fiscal implications of increasing the number
of books published annually by the Kent State
University Press and proceed if feasible.
Goal: Continue to provide leadership in encouraging the
productive use of leisure time.
Objectives
Promote recreational credit and non-credit activities
such as sports clinics and camps, elderhostels, and
educational travel programs that provide for
personal growth to participants.
Develop and offer credit and non-credit programs
which promote life-long fitness and wellness for the
individual such as the Adult Fitness Program and
the Seniors Exercise Program.
Continue to offer the use of supervised recreational
facilities at all eight campuses to the respective
communities.
Support outreach to the community through
increasing student involvement in internship and co-
op placements in industry, business, education, and
service organizations.
Kent State University recognizes its responsibility to work closely
with business and labor, local and state government, and community
groups and private sector organizations in formulating and implementing
strategies for community and economic development. As a part of its
outreach and community service efforts, the University will
Goal: Be a partner with communities and local and state
governments in facilitating community and economic
development.
Objectives
Offer relevant training opportunities primarily
though the Regional Campuses to a highly skilled
workforce.
Support Kent Campus programs that contribute to
community and economic development such as the
Urban Design Center in the School of Architecture,
the Small Business Institute in the College of
Business Administration, and the Northeast Ohio
Employee Ownership Center and Center for Public
Administration and Public Policy, both in the
Department of Political Science.
Strengthen Regional Campus programs which
support economic development such as the
Management Development Consortium, the
International Resource Center, and the
Teleconferencing Center on the Stark Campus.
Utilizecomputer and information technology as
tools and as objects of study in retraining the
workforce.