Criterion Five: Engagement and Service Core Component 5a: The organization learns from the constituents it serves and analyzes its capacity to serve their needs and expectations.

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	Community Outreach Efforts In an effort to be responsive to our various constituents’ needs, UMKC has created advisory bodies and task forces; partnered with community organizations and institutions; and formalized agreements that serve to enhance UMKC’s capacity to reach out to the community and to share resources.
Through UMKC’s Community Affairs office, a number of initiatives have been created to connect UMKC to its constituents and communities. Operating since 1994, the Brush Creek Community Partners is comprised of leaders and CEOs of the major organizations within the Brush Creek redevelopment area, an important urban corridor that runs along the north side of UMKC’s Volker campus. Initiated as a means for sharing information among the cultural and research institutions located in the area, the focus of this group has expanded to include community issues. In 2006, UMKC brought together a group of community leaders to develop the Hispanic Advisory Board. The board works closely with UMKC administrators to ensure that the University is aware of the concerns and interests of the Latino community. UMKC Black Community Partners, established in 2008, serves as a liaison between UMKC and Kansas City’s black community. The Southtown Council, an association of businesses, has been a long-time supporter of UMKC and strives to facilitate partnerships among businesses and organizations in south Kansas City. YMCA Y Achievers Program is an academic program co-sponsored by UMKC that oversees a career development plan for high school youth and teens of color. Providing role models and mentors, this program exposes youth to diverse career options and helps to raise academic standards and develop a positive self image. Additionally, the program serves as a channel for continuing community involvement by business and industry. The story of one community partnership, the Volker Neighborhood Council [VNC], exemplifies the unique and complex relationship that exists for any large urban university, such as UMKC, which must continually work to build and maintain a strong, viable and responsive relationship with its neighbors. In 1998, unsettled after hearing news of the University’s plans for expansion through the acquisition of more residential properties, residents became increasingly disgruntled with the University and began to display yard signs that read, “UMKC Kills Our Homes.” In response to this rift between neighbors, UMKC revisited its Master Plan, forming the Touchstone Group, comprised of civic, business and community leaders. (The Volker Neighborhood Council was created as a sub-group of the Touchstone Group.) In addition, a partnership was developed to foster understanding of respective neighborhood and University issues in order to arrive at mutually beneficial solutions. Since 2001, UMKC has held ongoing meetings with neighborhood representatives from Rockhill Crest and surrounding neighborhoods. These meetings are held to share campus updates and to review issues and concerns from representatives of the VNC. In 2002, at the official adoption of the revised Master Plan, UMKC’s Chancellor signed an Executive Order to address neighborhood concerns related to campus development. This document supports the vision of the neighborhood residents, the University and the city in maintaining a vibrant and engaged community surrounding the UMKC campus. In addition, Rockhill Crest residents issued a Position Statement between Rockhill Crest Neighborhood Association and the 49/63 Neighborhood Coalition in which the neighborhoods express their appreciation and support for the comprehensive manner in which the University of Missouri-Kansas City has developed its most recent land use and campus development planning document. As a result of the Executive Order, the Neighborhood 101 class/program was developed as a commitment to the neighborhoods by the University to educate students on the responsibilities involved with living in a neighborhood versus traditional student housing. Issues such as safety and security, parking, trash collection, etc. are addressed. Neighborhood representatives from Rockhill Crest are present at the Neighborhood 101 classes to provide guidance and support. Through the support of the Student Life Office, attending the class is a requirement for new students living in university-owned properties. Since the inception of Neighborhood 101, the Student Life office has become more engaged with familiarizing students with neighborhood activities associated with being a good neighbor. In Spring 2007, UMKC looked at the benefits of hiring a professional property manager rather than continuing to manage the properties internally. The benefits to this business model included optimum response to tenants’ needs; proven residential management and maintenance experience; and the resources to determine fair market rental rates. Although there has been an improved relationship with the neighborhood residents, the University continues to work with the current structure of the council and its role as it relates to community engagement. Our neighborhood partnerships represent long-term planning and commitments. For specific and timely initiatives, UMKC uses Town Hall meetings and focus groups to analyze and evaluate our engagement with the campus community and the community at-large. For example, when a new marketing campaign was created to promote UMKC, focus groups and University-wide meetings unveiling the new ads were held to encourage public input before launching the full campaign. Among the academic units, focus groups are used before implementing new programs and services.
Partnerships with area institutions and articulation agreements also serve to connect UMKC to its constituents and communities. The schools of Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy have formal partnership agreements with area health institutions such as Truman Medical Centers, Inc., Children’s Mercy Hospital, Western Missouri Mental Health, St. Luke’s Hospital, the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, and the Kansas City Health Department. UMKC’s Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management [SAEM] has developed articulation agreements with the Metropolitan Community College [MCC], Kansas City, Kansas Community College and Johnson County Community College to ensure seamless transfer and advising for students. In addition, SAEM’s Admissions Office partners with the Metropolitan Community College’s Penn Valley and Longview campuses to provide UMKC an on-site admissions counselor to assist students beginning the transfer process. Links to articulation agreements can be found in the electronic Resource Room.