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ERIC Number: EJ927346
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Sep
Pages: 4
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0748-478X
EISSN: N/A
Community Connections
Kemball, Mark
CURRENTS, v35 n7 p24-27 Sep 2009
This article discusses the results of a CASE survey, compiled in April 2009, which was sent to almost 2,800 members who had previously indicated that community relations were part of their professional responsibilities or interests. The survey suggests that the role and practice of community relations in a public institution is somewhat different from its role and practice in a private institution. Respondents from public institutions were quick to connect their work with local and state government relations--an association that most private universities did not indicate. Conversely, professionals at private institutions were especially concerned about the fundraising and development programs of the school or university--a far less prominent concern of public community relations professionals, whose institutions frequently house fundraising in affiliated foundations. The survey results strongly suggest that community relations offices in both private and public institutions do not appear to communicate well about their work. Less than one-third of respondents indicate that they regularly measure the impact of their programs on target audiences, and only a slightly greater number produce a community impact report for leadership. In addition, neither private nor public institutions appear to be actively courting community advocacy groups outside the immediate circle of their alumni. Although the worst of the recession may be over, its impact on endowments, college savings funds, and other tuition revenue sources is likely long-lasting. Data from the survey suggest, however, that community relations professionals do not currently feel, nor do they anticipate, the cold draft of the budget axe swinging nearby. Although it is clear that community relations professionals know the importance of their outreach to advancement, they may not be anticipating the realities of institutional budgeting. The survey reveals that many of them lack performance measurements.
Council for Advancement and Support of Education. 1307 New York Avenue NW Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-328-2273; e-mail: memberservicecenter@case.org; Web site: http://www.case.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A