UMass system recognized for community service

THE UNIVERSITY of Massachusetts was one of only two systems nationwide to have all of its campuses represented on the Carnegie Foundation's 2015 community engagement classification.
THE UNIVERSITY of Massachusetts was one of only two systems nationwide to have all of its campuses represented on the Carnegie Foundation's 2015 community engagement classification.

NEW YORK – The Carnegie Foundation has selected 240 colleges and universities to receive its 2015 community engagement classification, and the University of Massachusetts was one of only two systems nationwide to have all of its campuses represented.
The classification measures the service universities provide to their local communities.
In addition to UMass, Bristol Community College in Fall River and Stonehill College in North Easton also were recognized.
UMass President Robert L. Caret said he was pleased that the university’s five campuses were recognized.
“We prize excellence and achievement at UMass, but we also value community and place a premium on giving back. It says a lot about the values we try to instill, and about the energy and commitment of our students, faculty and staff,” he said.
UMass and Rutgers University were the only two public university systems in the nation to have each of its campuses achieve this classification for community service on the 2015 list.
UMass Boston first achieved this classification for community service in 2006. The other campuses made the list in 2008. UMass Medical was the first medical school in the country to receive this classification, according to information from UMass.
Colleges and universities participate in this process by submitting data and documentation.
UMass provided examples of how each campus provides service, including UMass Amherst students working with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Hampshire County, UMass Dartmouth students helping low-income residents in New Bedford do their taxes and UMass Lowell working with the National Park Service on education programs.

Carnegie Foundation President Anthony S. Bryk said in a statement, “The community engagement classification represents a significant affirmation of the importance of community engagement in the agenda of higher education. The foundation believes that the classification provides campuses of every institutional type an opportunity to affirm a commitment to community engagement as an essential aspect of institutional mission and identity.”

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