Outreach as a Component of the Total Restructuring of a University

The Ohio State University’s current understanding of outreach has been heavily influenced by efforts to restructure and streamline the university so that it can more effectively achieve its goals. Rather than create another department or center for outreach activities, the university has decided to make outreach the responsibility of the President’s Executive Committee. This university decision was based on a recommendation by the Ad Hoc Committee on University Outreach.

A survey of university departments and centers identified a wide variety of outreach efforts already underway. The Ad Hoc Committee capitalized on this fact, developing recommendations and methods of collaboration that allow the university community to conduct multidisciplinary efforts which are capable of addressing complex societal issues.