The Vision Statement of Tufts commits the University “”to foster an attitude of giving back ; an understanding that active citizen participation is essential to freedom and democracy; and a desire to make the world a better place.”" To deliver on this vision, Tufts President John DiBiaggio, its Trustees, faculty, administrators and students are working to make values and skills of active citizenship a hallmark of all its degree programs. We are building upon substantial existing public service programs located throughout the University. The next step in this process is to establish the concept of the University College and over the past two years we have put in place several program elements. In the fall of 1999 the Trustees took final action to formally launch this ambitious “”across the curriculum”" initiative.

The centerpiece of the College is a certificate program in Citizenship and Public Service. Undergraduates and graduate students earn the certificate by completing a set of courses that incorporate community service and civic education, and by finishing a substantial community service project.

While Tufts public service activities are broad in scope, the UCCPS places emphasis on work to strengthen preK-12 education. The focus on this initiative on education for active citizenship is accompanied by a challenging research agenda: Why has civic engagement in the U.S. declined? How are the forms of citizen participation changing and what causes these shifts? What is the nature and meaning of civil society in different parts of the world? Tufts is encouraging and supporting faculty research on these topics and is sponsoring a book series on Civil Society through the University Press of New England. A public Forum on Civil Society in April 1999 celebrated publication of the first two volumes in this series.

Contact person: Rob Hollister, Dean of the University College of Citizenship and Public Engagement
UCCPS web page: http://uccps.tufts.edu/