Since 1994, when HUD established the Office of University Partnerships (OUP) within the Office of Policy Development and Research, the Department has created programs to move college faculty, staff, and students out of their ivory towers and into the grassroots of their inner-city neighborhoods. Through dedication and hard work, institutions of
higher education and their community partners are breaking down the barriers of distrust that have historically separated them, transforming a divide into an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation. In the past 6 years, one such program, HUD’s Community Outreach Partnership Centers (COPC), has provided seed money for community-building efforts to 119 colleges and universities in 37 States.
The articles in this issue add to the growing library of literature demonstrating the emergence and importance of the university-community partnerships while illustrating their maturing role along with their inherent strength and diversity. HUD is proud to help facilitate
the continued growth of these partnerships.
I would like to thank David Cox, former director of the Office of University Partnerships and COPC grantee at the University of Memphis, for bringing us this lively symposium that demonstrates the successes and the challenges of applied research. Everyone interested in community development should benefit from the insights in this collection of
articles.
Susan M. Wachter
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research
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