South Dekalb University Learning Community

Living Well for the Long Term

Learning and leading together, building partnerships in South DeKalb

In Fall 2018 and Spring 2019, the Center for Faculty Development and Excellence and the Center for Civic and Community Engagement (Campus Life) will facilitate a University Learning Community focused on southeast DeKalb, and organized around the theme of Sustainable and Healthy Communities. 

Faculty from across the university are invited to apply by July 13, 2018, using this link: South DeKalb ULC Proposals.

Participants will include students, faculty, staff, and community partners who are interested in learning together how to create excellent community-campus partnerships. As part of the learning community, we will identify several mutually agreed-upon projects that are informed by our discussions, readings, and listening to each other. The projects may be initiated as part of the learning community but will likely extend beyond the spring 2019 semester. They may also lead to community engaged learning courses, directed studies, or other academic approaches.

Funds to support successful completion of the projects or ongoing partnerships will be made available through the Center for Civic and Community Engagement in Campus Life and the Center for Faculty Development and Excellence.

General expectations of all participants:

• Attend and actively participate in all planned sessions.
  • Planning and Community Building Retreat (tentatively set for Friday, September 14, 4pm-8pm; four hours total, with dinner included)
  • Three additional engaged sessions in the fall—each session lasting about two hours (meal included)
  • Two additional engaged sessions in the spring, one in late January or early February, and one completion/reflection in late April or early May
• Participate in the exploration and practice of a commonly accepted set of values and standards for our group and concerning the engagement with the community.
• Actively shape the agenda for the sessions after the retreat, and commit to a collaborative, open, and respectful work environment.
• Participate in processes established by the group aimed at recording and sharing the experiences in this pilot. 
• Engage outside of the scheduled activities with others in the community. Project teams will emerge, working outside of the full group events to plan for next steps. 

Goals:

• Establish collaborative, generative, reciprocal, sustainable, and reliable partnerships among stakeholders at Emory University and community partners, specifically south DeKalb County neighborhoods involved in the DeKalb Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative.
• Get to know the history of the engagement of Emory and other universities and institutions in South DeKalb.
• Think about creative ways to assess complex university-community interactions and how to set specific, measurable goals and accommodate for the unexpected.
• Work with a small team on a specific project idea directly benefitting neighborhoods.
• Acquire essential skills in listening, teamwork, and project management.
• Share the skills you have in these areas, and your expertise in your field(s).

Dates:

• Launch/Retreat. To be held at Emory Friday, September 14, 4pm – 8pm  TENTATIVE

Regular meeting dates chosen from the following PROPOSED dates, with final decision based on participant schedules.  Meetings in community settings or at Emory.

Fall 2018

• First Regular Meeting
  • Wednesday, September 26, 5:30-7:30 OR
  • Thursday, September 27, 5:30-7:30
• Second Regular Meeting
  • Tuesday, October 16, 5:30-7:30 OR
  • Wednesday, October 17, 5:30-7:30
• Third Regular Meeting
  • Wednesday, November 7, 5:30-7:30 OR
  • Thursday, November 8, 5:30-7:30

Spring 2019

• Fourth Regular Meeting
  • Wednesday, January 23, 5:30-7:30 OR
  • Thursday, January 24, 5:30-7:30
• Fifth and Final Regular Meeting
  • Wednesday, April 17, 5:30-7:30 OR
  • Thursday, April 18, 5;30-7:30

* Applicants will be notified on or after August 3, 2018.