Institutional Commitments

Baltimore area institutions of higher education have come together with Baltimore City Schools to advance the development and implementation of productive partnerships that benefit children. The Alliance for community Teachers and Schools (ACTS) serves as the convener and facilitative intermediary for the Consortium, providing a structure, managing reliable communications, shaping and refining content, and advancing the mission. Members work in a set of content-focused work groups to advance teaching and learning, student support services, family and community engagement, and academically-based community service. Additionally, the CUE collaborates with other city organizations to connect interested members to existing conversations and groups.

The Maryland-District of Columbia Campus Compact (MDCCC) is a non-profit membership association of public, private, 2- and 4-year colleges and universities. MDCCC provides leadership to colleges and universities in Maryland and Washington, D.C. by advocating, supporting, and encouraging institutional participation in academic and co-curricular based public service and civic engagement programs. MDCCC strengthens the capacity of member institutions to enhance student learning and to meaningfully engage with communities.

In October 2010, the Goucher Board of Trustees passed a resolution allowing the college to join Project Pericles, a nonprofit organization that encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include social responsibility and participatory citizenship as essential elements of their educational programs.

Founded in 2001 by philanthropist Eugene M. Lang, Project Pericles works directly with its member institutions, called Pericleans, as they individually and collaboratively develop model civic engagement programs in their classrooms, on their campuses, and in their communities.

Each school is required to develop a comprehensive program that gives students the intellectual and experiential foundations for all aspects of responsible citizenship. These include taking an interest in public affairs, engaging in civil discourse, understanding and actively participating in democratic political processes, being able to analyze news and information, cultivating and effectively advocating opinions on matters of public policy, tolerating diverse opinions, supporting free speech, and being involved in community service that addresses public problems.

The program must engage all members of the college's community - administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumnae/i. Pericleans are also expected to share their program concepts and experiences. This collaboration is fostered through annual meetings where member presidents, faculty, and students share best practices for promoting civic engagement.

The program co-directors are Dr. Emily Perl, Assistant Vice President for Student Life (eperl@ai-insight.com), and Dr. Michael Curry, Interim Director of Community-Based Learning (michael.curry@ai-insight.com).