Engaged University

Yesterday a friend of mine brought to my attention this comic that was published in the opinions section of the Diamond Back.

The Engaged University is located in Riverdale, MD, which is about a 10-15 minute drive from campus. They provide afterschool programs for children in the local community, parent leadership programs, a bike shop, an art program, a farm, a bio-diesel fueling station, and more. In short they put into action the ideas that are discussed in the classroom.

Recently the Engaged University lost its funding from the College of Agricultural and Natural Resources. With the help of the SGA and students they were able to not have it completely shut down. The school will now help to look for grants and to fundraise.  

This brings me back to the comic. While I am still unsure exactly what the comic is trying to say I get this sense of apathy towards the idea of the Engaged University being shut down. I've heard the argument made that the work that the Engaged University does should have nothing to do with the UMD campus. Questions like what does this program have to do with students? Couldn't that money be used elsewhere?

There is an underlying question in these arguments: what is the role and purpose of the university? Is it a place for students to come, go to class, read some books, meet some people and get a piece of paper after four years in order for them to go get a job in the "real world"? Or is it a place for students to be engaging what they learn in the classroom and applying it to the community and world we live in now?

The university mission statement declares that, "The University creates and applies knowledge for the benefit of the economy and culture of the state, the region, the nation, and beyond." I'm willing to bet that a majority of students have heard the words "civic engagement" thrown around by the administration. As a student at the university I feel that the Engaged University is precisely what the university should be about. They provide students an opportunity to affect real change in the community in which we live in. Whether we realize it or not we live in PG County, a real community like the ones we all came from. At the engaged university students are able to put their learning into action. Business students can help with the running the farm or the co-op bio-deisel fuel station. The farm actually provides jobs and a source of income for those in the community and not to mention healthy, fresh food to people living in the community. Issues of education, environmental sustainability, and the over arching idea of being a positive member of society are addressed at the Engaged University. 

I encourage students to take a short bike ride or a drive over, since the UMD shuttle bus no longer stops at the Engaged University (a problem in itself). I think that most students would be surprised to learn about all of the opportunities that the Engaged University provides. What does it mean for us to have the privilege of education? What do we want to be remembered for?

Until next time. 

Peace, 

Sasha