http://www.cumuonline.org/conference

The term ‘distressed’ is frequently used in describing the urban environments in which many metropolitan universities are situated. This conference will explore how universities can promote a strengths-based approach to partnering with their communities to nurture community resiliency. Defined by Rolfe as the capacity ‘to respond effectively to significant adversity and risk,’ community resiliency depends on social capital, as well as the interactions and engagement among community members to achieve common goals. This conference will provide a forum for faculty, students and administrators to share ideas, experiences and recommendations about the leadership role that metropolitan universities can assume in promoting community resiliency.

Proposal Submission Guidelines

Individuals may submit proposals for paper presentations, panel discussions, or poster displays. Consistent with the conference theme, the content should relate to institutional commitments by urban and metropolitan universities to drive progress in their regional communities. Complete information about proposal submissions can be viewed at: http://www.cumuonline.org/conference

Suggested Topics

· Strengths-based approaches
· Educational infrastructure
· Environmental threats and remediation
· Wellness and public health
· Social capital
· Economic/business development
· Impact assessment

Selection and Notification

The committee will evaluate your proposal for content, appropriateness, and interest. Notification will be sent by June 1, 2009. Conference presenters will be invited to submit papers to the editor of Metropolitan Universities journal for possible publication in a future journal issue.

Proposals must be submitted electronically at http://www.widenerconferences.com/cumu.html

Submission deadline: April 17, 2009