Auburn University Outreach: A Case Concept Presentation

Recent revelations and changes at Auburn University have resulted in a renewed consideration of the University’s extension/outreach mission. In an effort to address emerging outreach issues, a University Outreach Council was created and designed to 1) improve communications and coordination, 2) advise on outreach, and 3) provide a base for universitywide outreach leadership. The Council’s objectives are to define outreach as an academic enterprise, to determine how best to integrate outreach into the university, to anchor outreach in university rhetoric, policy, and practice, and to provide a comprehensive, responsive, and efficient management structure for outreach activities. A deliberate effort has been made to integrate outreach into the fabric of the university and thereby significantly affect the relationship between the university and the larger society.

The Auburn University case is a work in progress, and significant lessons have been learned at each phase of development. This poster presents some of the lessons learned, and discusses a number of issues that have been raised in recent months. In addition, information is presented which compares and contrasts the outreach program at Auburn with the outreach programs of several other universities (e.g., Oregon State, Michigan State, Wisconsin).