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About VCC
Definitions
Why VCC and Higher Education
Compelling Reasons to Pursue the
Goals of VCC
VCC Outcomes, Impact, And Accomplishments
Membership
Funding
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Why VCC and Higher Education
"The need to resolve complex problems intelligently
places an ever greater demand on higher education - a demand
for graduates who have a profound understanding of what it means
to be a citizen; graduates capable of an interest larger than
self-interest; graduates capable of helping this country to
be not simply a strong competitor but a responsible and effective
leader in a complicated world." - Frank Newman, Former
President of the Education Commission of the States and Campus
Compact co-founder.
Historically, the mission and tradition of higher education linked
teaching and scholarship to service and society. However, in recent
years, the efforts of the academy broadly have not been institutionally
targeted towards local communities and their greatest needs; nor
has higher education been viewed as a vital partner in identifying
solutions. Yet the need for higher education to be engaged has
never been greater, particularly on behalf of our children, communities,
and the environment. Likewise, the need to educate and prepare
global citizens to become tomorrow's leaders and problem solvers
is becoming increasingly critical. Teaching the ethic of civic
and social responsibility is a vital component of higher education.
Vermont college and university presidents recognize the essential
role of higher education to advance social, economic and environmental
problem solving and renew civic responsibility and engagement.
In1999, twenty-three Vermont higher education presidents formally
embraced this movement. In an unprecedented commitment, four-year,
two-year, graduate, public and private colleges and universities
joined together to create Vermont Campus Compact. Higher education,
in Vermont and nationally, is reinvigorating its commitment to
mitigate some of our most pressing social, economic, and environmental,
as well as civic and ethical problems, while preparing future
citizens and humanitarians.
See Campus Compact's
higher education information brochure.
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