Civic competence is critical to the successful functioning of pluralistic democracies. Developing the knowledge, skills, and motivations for effective democratic participation is a national and global imperative that many higher education institutions have embraced through the teaching strategies of community-based learning and service-learning.…

This paper discusses the model of the "Western university" from the viewpoint of a non-Western person. The concept of an "Urban Public University" is then discussed and analyzed in terms of its role and relevance in today's context. The paper further argues that while universities are non-static, and while their changes and adaptations to new…

Explores models of advisory boards and their relationship to the urban mission of colleges. Describes four models based on conceptual frameworks derived from two key articles on empowerment and citizen participation, and on the experience of "Implementing Urban Missions" grantees. Found that the Hybrid Model (all partners/stakeholders)…

The Detroit Hearings are an effort at developing an additional method of collaboration between the city and the university. The aim is to develop an environment of collaboration around major areas of concern out of which a wide range of collaborative efforts could develop. It is both a complement and supplement to the traditional methods of…

Results are reported of a NSF grant awarded to Wayne State University in 1976 for support of the project entitled "University-Community Consortium." The project included (1) identification of 16 problem areas by the city for which they wanted policy option papers from the consortium; (2) a three-part survey of city-related academic…

The development of a model network for team leadership by the University of Akron and community agencies is described. The major program objectives were to increase understanding of: interpersonal and intragroup dynamics; organizational development and collaborative planned change; and issues at the local, regional, and national levels that relate…

Ways that colleges are involved in economic development and how these roles develop at different colleges are discussed, along with the rationale and benefits for college involvement in economic development. Attention is directed to key programmatic, policy, organizational, and strategic issues that need to be addressed with increased college…

This volume contains 29 readings reprinted from the journal "Metropolitan Universities: An International Forum," selected to demonstrate the unique mission and characteristics of metropolitan universities and to recognize the special challenges they face in addressing the nation's major urban issues. The papers include: "What Is a Metropolitan…