The University of Notre Dame assesses its outreach efforts on the definition provided by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Classification of Community Engagement:

Community Engagement describes the collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities-local, regional/state, national, global-for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.

University outreach and engaged partnerships can include applied research; support services to education, business, non-profit organizations, government, and community groups. The report should be limited to agreements between the institution and an external entity only, not an individual faculty member or staff's personal activity (coaching, church activities, club membership, etc.). In other words, please report partnerships that derive from the associated faculty or staff member's role / discipline within the University.

Some common characteristics of Partnerships:

1. Focus on a community need or issue.
2. Provides opportunities for faculty, staff and students to participate in community-based learning, research or service.
3. Are tied to an external community partner organization(s).
4. Activities are of mutual benefit to the partner and the university.
5. Are often formalized, and may have a contract or memorandum of agreement to specify the terms of operation.
6. May be funded from a variety of sources including university funds. Some partnerships are unfunded and have only in-kind support.
7. May be professional development training provided to a public or community organization.

Questions? Please contact the Director of Community Engagement in the Office of Public Affairs or call (574) 631-9423