Collaborative interactions with external public communities for the mutually beneficial exchange, exploration, and application of knowledge, information, and resources.

Partners are involved in planning, delivering and evaluating project activities.

Knowledge and expertise are exchanged in ways that produce measurable scholarly benefits for the University (direct learning and research benefits) as well as measurable benefits for the community as defined and measured by the community partners.

Focuses on the application and provision of institutional resources (facilities, events, services, general information) for community use.

Community Contribution uses a variety of delivery strategies to make the intellectual expertise of University staff accessible to the public (speeches, media interviews, professional development, adult education, public information materials, exhibits, other events, etc.).

The public is the recipient and beneficiary of public service and is not usually involved in planning or delivering the activity. Academic knowledge is conveyed or delivered to the public community without expectation or intent that any knowledge or expertise flow back to the university. The primary benefit to the university for public service is good will - positive image, reputation and visibility.

Community Contribution differs from personal service and volunteerism in community in that it draws on intellectual expertise and represents the university's interests. For the purposes of data collection we also include service to academic profession and societies in this section.