The 15th annual Coaltition for Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) conference Call for Proposals

The 15th annual Coaltition for Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) conference, hosted by Widener University from October 11-13, 2009 will focus on "Building community resiliency: The role of university leadership."

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.

Please join us for this stimulating meeting that will include plenary sessions, paper presentations, special topic panels, roundtables, poster sessions and student presentations.

Suggested Topics

• Strengths-based approaches

• Educational infrastructure

• Environmental threats and remediation

• Wellness and public health

• Social capital

• Economic/business development

• Impact assessment

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:

www.cumuonline.org/conference

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

Submission deadline: April 17, 2009

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.