1. The mission of the UIC Neighborhoods Initiative (UICNI) is derived from the mission of urban engagement, the Great Cities Commitment, at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), the largest public urban university in Chicago.
2. As an integral part of UIC's Great Cities Institute, UICNI is a major vehicle through which the University fulfills the mission of the Great Cities Commitment with particular emphasis on the engagement of students, faculty and staff in the nearby communities. Through a wide range of activities in multiple disciplines (or areas of interest), the UICNI enlivens the mission of the University by facilitating mutually beneficial partnerships in research, education and service.
3. UIC is not simply " located in an urban community ." UIC is an engaged neighbor and partner with all responsibilities and sentiments associated with that designation. The UIC Neighborhoods Initiative at the Great Cities Institute plays a key role in fulfilling responsibilities, evaluating performance and continuously aligning university actions to reflect its commitment to being a contributing neighbor in its community.
4. The UICNI acknowledges the value of life experience and local expertise and in its activities and programs and seeks partnerships with communities as citizens or community scholars.
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The UIC Neighborhoods Initiative brings together faculty and community scholars in mutually beneficial relationships that serve as the engagement interface for supporting, initiating, coordinating and celebrating community and University partnerships.
6. The UIC Neighborhoods Initiative encourages and sustains a supportive environment for productive dialogue and through active intervention addresses communication barriers inherent in diverse community, racioethnic and institutional cultures.
7. The UIC Neighborhoods Initiative sustains a responsive scope of involvement in geographically defined, and yet fluid boundaries.
8. The agenda of the UIC Neighborhoods Initiative transforms the University's historical tripartite approach of service, education and research into a new paradigm that does not separate these three activities into discrete functions, but blends them into a dynamic, responsive approach of engaged, interdisciplinary and high impact learning partnerships between the university and the community.,
9. Through its campus wide approach the UIC Neighborhoods Initiative encourages both interdisciplinary and collaborative work by bringing faculty together across all colleges. The UICNI serves as an advisor and facilitator to faculty engaged in partnership development, providing practical insight into methods of community entry, relationship development, partnership maintenance and mutually beneficial collaboration.
10. The UIC Neighborhoods Initiative exists to create, nurture and sustain long-term community/university relationships. For the University, the UICNI maintains a consistent presence in the community. For the community, the NI facilitates direct community access to information and resources.
