The Urban Affairs Center

1. The Urban Affairs Center A Vision Building Upon Existing Strengths & Identifying New Opportunities

2. The Urban Affairs Center The Context The Ohio Urban University Program

3. The Urban University Program • Cleveland State University • Kent State University • The Ohio State University • The University of Akron • The University of Toledo • University of Cincinnati • Wright State University • Youngstown State University

4. UUP Mission The mission of the Ohio Urban University Program is to apply the resources of urban universities to help identify urban problems and propose solutions designed to enhance the vitality of Ohio’s urban regions and distressed central cities. This mission will be implemented through collaborative university networks and individual centers of excellence.

5. UUP Goals • Address Ohio’s urban problems and opportunities by supporting collaborative inter-institutional research and service networks. • Propose solutions by undertaking research, education and training, technical assistance, database development, and design services. • Communicate findings of UUP-related activities to state and local policy makers and citizens. • Develop and encourage a synergistic process of combining the strengths of traditional university research and teaching with the public service role of the urban university.

6. The University of ToledoUrban Affairs Center What I Found! August 1999

7. The Hidden Jewel “The Urban Affairs Center is one of Toledo’s hidden jewels!” Andy Benson, New Ohio Institute UAC Advisory Committee Member

8. Existing Strengths • Numerous projects • Long term positive relationships and credibility • Talented staff • Good facilities & technology • Controls its own budget • Relationship with UUP

9. The Revised Mission The Urban Affairs Center is an applied research unit of The University of Toledo and a member of the Ohio Urban University Program. Our mission is to enhance the vitality of, and improve the quality of life in, Northwest Ohio's urban region. To accomplish this we will apply the resources of The University of Toledo, network with other Urban Universities, and collaborate with local partners to help identify urban problems and propose solutions. Our efforts will include professional research, technical assistance, education, training, community service, outreach, database development, program development, and publication and distribution of research findings.

10. Summary: UAC’s Major Organizational Goals • Forge and strengthen collaborative partnerships • Be responsive to needs identified by the community • Generate innovative ideas & demonstration projects • Promote and extend civil dialogue on issues of regional concern • Make urban data, research findings, & innovative strategies more accessible

11. Summary: UAC’s Major Organizational Goals • Mobilize the resources of UUP to benefit our region • Communicate research results & recommendations to policy maker and citizens • Encourage UT faculty to investigate urban issues • Educate and train public officials, community organizations, community leaders, and citizens to more effectively address urban & regional issues • Generate and leverage additional resources to support the Center’s work

12. Expanding UponExisting Strengths • Urban & Regional Planning • Economic Development • Community Development and Preservation

13. Identifying New Opportunities • Increase the capacity of the UAC to take on more projects • Implement What Works Seminar Series • Promote and support more collaborative research projects • Pursue “Prestige Projects” that will lead to recognition for UAC and University • Work with Community Advisory Committees to identify opportunities & expand out image

14. The UAC What I’d Like to Build & How I’d Like to Build It … My Vision

15. The UAC: the Center of Urban Innovation and Praxis • A comfortable home where faculty and community meet to think and plan, knowing ther ideas will be taken seriously and with the capacity to enhance them. • A site of civic discourse where widespread participation is valued and where people, business, and ideas flourish. • Improving the quality of people’s lives - a source of applied research and projects that progressively improve our condition. • Where good ideas come to thrive - the lead actor helping to identify and transfer important new insights between the University and the community. • An organizing force - an essential partner for all groups seeking to address an urban issue, research an urban topic, and/or mobilize support for a project or program in the Toledo region. • A place of eminence - a site of cutting-edge research and demonstration projects that attract national recognition.

16. How to Build It • Build, Link, & Embed Communities • Guiding Values • Guiding Strategies

17. An Effective UAC Director … • Is multi-disciplinary in training and experience • Cultivates good working relationships with faculty members from all colleges and departments • Has taught & engaged in research on social, economic, and policy issues effecting urban communities • Has experience working in a university applied research & outreach center • Is a respected member of the academic, social, political, & economic networks that permeate the region. • Must be able to communicate and publicize the efforts and good work of UAC and the University as a Whole.

18. Conclusion For the Urban Affairs Center to be effective it must solve problems and promote innovative ideas on and off campus. The Director must draw upon the insights and knowledge of the best people he or she can find: on-campus, off-campus,or brought in from other campuses and other communities. The Director must listen and then help bring together the University and community partners who can address the issue. This may include helping to identify and leverage the resources needed to succeed. In sum, you advance a center, a university, a city and a region forward by planning carefully, being inclusive, building skillfully, mobilizing resources, ands sharing credit as accomplishments occur.