We are excited to announce that UBC has submitted an Expression of Interest to become a co-host of the inaugural Canadian Carnegie Community Engagement Classification.
The Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement is an internationally recognized framework for institutional assessment and recognition of community engagement in post-secondary institutions. The inaugural Canadian Carnegie host will be responsible for providing the resources and leadership necessary to launch the new classification in Canada.
Being the host of a national classification will strengthen UBC’s commitment to community engagement and allow us to take an active role as a national leader in the conversation about engagement at Canadian post-secondary institutions.
As outlined by UBC President Dr. Santa Ono in the Expression of Interest, UBC believes it is well-positioned to support the establishment of a long-term Canadian Carnegie host. Specifically, we bring:
- Commitment: UBC leadership, faculty and staff are active members of the Canadian Pilot Cohort (CPC), and have been since its beginning. The Carnegie pilot was identified as part of our institution’s strategic plan and the stated commitment to supporting community engagement. Also, the UBC community has supported our participation over the last three years as we assessed and considered how to translate the classification framework in the Canadian context.
- Trust: Committed members of UBC’s VP External Relations and VP Academic offices have established trusting relationships with colleagues in the CPC and other institutions across Canada. We are ready to further develop these relationships and build a partnered approach as a co-host for the Canadian classification.
- Trust: Committed members of UBC’s VP External Relations and VP Academic offices have established trusting relationships with colleagues in the CPC and other institutions across Canada. We are ready to further develop these relationships and build a partnered approach as a co-host for the Canadian classification.
- Strong relationships with national partners and networks: Securing a sustainable future for the CCH and CCCEC is critical in its first three years. UBC would bring strong connections to Universities Canada, Tri-Council Funding Agencies, the U15 Group of Universities, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, Research Universities Canada and the University Climate Change Coalition (which UBC currently leads), among others.
- Size and impact: As Canada’s second largest research university, UBC has the sector recognition to lead national efforts that will see community-university engagement embraced as a component of excellence in scholarship and core to the future of post-secondary institutions as partners in civic leadership.
Following the Expression of Interest, the deadline for proposals is October 14, 2022, and a host will be selected by December 9, 2022. The host’s official duties will start in January 2023.
The Expression of Interest is driven by the momentum of UBC’s three-year participation in the Canadian pilot of the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Since 2019, UBC has collaborated with fifteen post-secondary institutions across Canada to explore the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification and to consider how it might support community engagement in diverse Canadian contexts.