The primary purpose of community engagement at the University of Connecticut is to serve external communities in ways that enhance teaching, research, and scholarship. Engaged scholarship, an outcome of public engagement, fosters mutual understanding and creativity through collaborative, community-focused activities.

As a land- and sea-grant university, UConn is committed to public service and measuring its success by the impact of its teaching and research on the world beyond its campuses. These efforts are for the public good, not private gain, and involve responsibly offering the University’s human and physical resources to external partners.

Core Commitments

• Support the Public Good: Engage with external communities in a way that promotes mutual benefit and avoids private gain.
• Expand Access: Provide broader access to University resources and foster reciprocal partnerships.
• Promote Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Encourage partnerships across disciplines, including the arts, humanities, environment, health, and human rights.
• Enhance Reputation: Recognize that the University’s reputation is linked to how effectively we respond to community needs.
• Model Respectful Engagement: Uphold cultural competence and University policies when interacting with community members.

Guiding Principles

• We engage communities as equal partners, not as subjects of study.
• We are culturally competent, respectful, and inclusive in all interactions.
• We strive for responsible and collaborative scholarship that incorporates community voices at every stage.
• We ensure research findings are translated into real-world applications to address societal challenges.
• We value and integrate community knowledge, working in true collaboration.
• We prioritize student engagement, connecting classroom learning with community-based experiences.
• We communicate these values and standards across the University and with our partners.

Practical Considerations

• When planning public engagement or community-based scholarship, ask yourself:
  • Is this effort aligned with UConn’s mission and values?
  • Have I gathered community input during the planning process?
  • Am I treating community partners as equals, avoiding the appearance of exploiting them?
  • Have I adequately addressed confidentiality and privacy concerns?
  • Are my team members trained to be culturally sensitive and inclusive?
  • Have I identified and addressed barriers to participation?
  • Will my actions reflect positively on the University’s reputation?
  • Am I managing and using University resources responsibly and transparently?
  • How do I involve students in meaningful community engagement that connects to academic learning?

This content is adapted from UConn’s official Code of Conduct.