"Colleges and Universities as Economic Engines": Request for Proposals The Year of the City offers a unique time to explore and enhance collaborative partnerships with other educational instituations in Baltimore. The notice below to participating institutions in the Baltimore Collegetown Network comes from Loyola's neighbors at the University of Baltimore.
University-Community Partnerships: Baltimore and Beyond In an effort to strengthen the role of the 16 Baltimore area colleges and universities as economic engines for Central Maryland, the University of Baltimore, in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Baltimore Collegetown Network, invites proposals for white papers on important, actionable issues for the Baltimore region. These white papers, estimated to be 7-12 pages in length, will briefly review national best practices before focusing on local resources and possibilities to continue (and expand) work in the area. Each topic represents a timely opportunity for strengthening the work that colleges and universities do, individually and in partnership with others, as economic engines in our region. The white papers might best be thought of as pre-proposal/feasibility studies for particular projects that institutions of higher education could undertake, singly or collaborating with others, in partnership with the external community. Each white paper should identify interested partners and a preliminary budget for piloting ideas outlined within. Topics Transportation: Higher education in the Baltimore area has a great opportunity to work collaboratively to influence policy and priorities related to transportation in our region. This could include mass transit, and transit-centered development, as well as inter-campus transportation networks. Working with existing transportation initiatives, how might higher education impact improved transportation for our region? Young Leadership/Young Baltimore Leaders: Working across campuses, what leadership opportunities are likely to be most productive in terms of creating a talent pool that strengthens the community not only in terms of job skills, but by enhancing students’ ability to bridge chasms that have long bedeviled the community while providing meaningful leadership for the 21st century? A related opportunity may exist in creating young leadership tracks in existing leadership programs across the region. Business Connection Clearinghouse: By taking stock of existing talent and assets, a clearinghouse would provide effective matchmaking between students, schools, faculty members, businesses, and funding sources. In addition, by providing better connectivity, a Business Connection Clearinghouse could link complimentary programs at a range of colleges and universities in Central Maryland. Activities could include technology transfer, internship and adjunct placement, business assistance, etc. Improving Career Paths in Higher Education: Colleges and universities are increasingly thought of as “anchor” institutions providing stability and opportunity to their communities. For this topic, we are interested in better understanding the needs and pathways offered by employment in the higher education employment sector in Central Maryland. What career pathways exist for residents of Baltimore City and the region? How might opportunities for community residents be improved? What role might k-12 partnerships play in creating a well prepared higher education workforce? Retaining Alumni of Baltimore-area Colleges and Universities: Understanding colleges as catalysts for the creative class, it is imperative that we work to attract and retain graduates of area colleges and universities, valuing them as major contributors to the region’s economy, especially its creative functions. BRAC Opportunities for Baltimore-area Higher Education Institutions: Military base realignments and closures offer Central Maryland’s colleges and universities an unprecedented opportunity to showcase and create new opportunities in our region. These include new degree and non-degree programs offered on and off-campus, as well as partnerships with housing and transportation organizations to maximize the potential benefits of BRAC for the Baltimore region and Baltimore region institutions of higher education. While the University System of Maryland is already looking at some of the degree needs, in what additional ways should the opportunities that BRAC presents be used? Guidelines White papers may be authored individually or (preferably) by small groups representing a range of higher education perspectives either by including authors with different primary responsibilities or (preferably) authors from different institutions. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2007. They must include a paragraph that describes the methods the author(s) will use and the perspectives they bring. In addition, a brief resume or c.v. (1-2 pages) for each team member is required. Please forward all proposals to Jessica Elfenbein, University of Baltimore, 1420 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 or e-mail to jelfenbein@ubalt.edu. The selected authors will be notified by February 15, 2007. Preliminary drafts are due April 10, 2007 with feedback provided by April, 20, 2007. Final drafts must be received by May 25, 2007. All white papers will be presented at the Baltimore Collegetown Network presidents’ meeting in early June 2007. Each white paper team selected will receive $1,000 upon completion of the final draft. Questions? Please call Jessica Elfenbein at 410 837-5340. | 
