March 31, 2010     

One of the distinguishing characteristics of our college is service to our local, regional, and global communities.  Recently, the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education--which has traditionally classified colleges based on academic programs, enrollment, size, and setting--began offering an elective classification in community engagement.  SUNY Oneonta will apply for the classification, which is currently held by fewer than 200 institutions nationwide. 

I have asked Linda Drake, Director of the Center for Social Responsibility and Community, and Patty Francis, Associate Provost for Institutional Assessment and Effectiveness, to assemble a team, collect data, and prepare our application for the Carnegie classification.  In a few weeks, they will send a survey to faculty to help determine the scope and depth of service learning in our courses.  I appreciate their efforts, and I encourage you to help them in the process by providing whatever information they request. 

The Carnegie classification in community engagement is one more way that we can distinguish SUNY Oneonta as a college that engages students in exceptional learning experiences, within and beyond the classroom, and that nurtures the development of individuals who contribute to local and global communities. 

More information about the Carnegie classification in community engagement is available at www.carnegiefoundation.org 

Thank you in advance for your participation in this exciting opportunity for our college to be recognized for one of our fundamental values: service to our communities.