Collaborative Opportunities for Projects

The Community Partnerships Center delivers project-based services to organizations and municipalities in local and regional communities. CPC projects often focus on the built environment (architectural design, urban design, construction management, engineering, community planning and historic preservation). However, many projects demand multi-disciplinary approaches, and so the CPC draws upon the diverse talents of RWU programs in law, business, environmental science, justice studies, community development, the arts and others as necessary to meet the needs of the community partner.

In addition, project ideas can be discussed with the CPC staff, and unique solutions can be identified that may be outside the normal range of skills. To discuss an idea for a project, contact CPC Director Arnold Robinson at arobinson@rwu.edu or by calling 401.254.3307.

Geographic Area of Service

The CPC has established a geographic area of service that includes all of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Decisions regarding project selection are made based on factors that determine if the community partner organization and the proposed scope of work can be effectively serviced by project teams. The CPC tries to limit travel time to allow faculty and students to spend maximum time on site.

Participating RWU Programs

RWU offers a variety of valuable academic programs that can enhance CPC projects and have a meaningful impact on the project and the students in those programs. These programs are the competitive advantage for the RWU CPC, bringing a wide range of skilled faculty and students at one location where they can work collaboratively for the benefit of the project and their own learning. CPC projects draw upon the skills and experience of students, faculty and staff from RWU programs in areas such as:

• American Studies
• Architecture
• Art and Architectural History
• Business
• Communications
• Community Development
• Construction Management
• Education
• Engineering
• Finance
• Graphic Design
• Historic Preservation
• History & American Studies
• Justice Studies
• Law
• Marketing
• Museum Studies
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Public Administration
• Public Policy
• Public Relations
• Visual Arts

Community Partnerships Center Products and Services

The central method for meeting the goals of community partners, students and faculty is the curriculum-based project. These projects create a collaborative, interactive working environment where experts, citizens, faculty and students from many backgrounds routinely work together. Most projects are trans-disciplinary and include whatever academic programs/courses, paid student workers or volunteer organizations are appropriate to complete the scope of work that has been proposed by the community partner organization.

Specific methods for project delivery may include the following:

• Large trans-disciplinary teams of RWU faculty and staff. These individuals can be drawn from multiple resources, as the project scope demands:
  • Students enrolled in semester-long courses and workshops
  • Graduate assistants in Architecture and Historic Preservation
  • Work Study students in many disciplines
• Small teams of RWU students working under an RWU staff or faculty mentor. These students can be working as:
  • Thesis candidates
  • Graduate assistants in Architecture and Historic Preservation
  • Work Study students in many disciplines
• Students and faculty from a single course focusing on a community issue as a class project
• Intensive one-day design charrettes staffed by integrated teams (faculty, students and others) with various RWU programs
• Design/build projects that address community needs for planning, design and actual construction by RWU and the community partner
• Existing conditions assessment and analysis at the community, neighborhood and building levels
• Information sharing through best practices/precedents research
• Needs assessment and planning process assistance to define and address organizational and community issues

All CPC projects are defined by a Memorandum of Agreement with the Community Partner. This Agreement defines the project scope, the process to be followed; the participating RWU faculty, staff and students and community representatives; the primary and secondary goals; the duration of the project; and the final work products that will be delivered and presented. All potential Community Partners should review the sample Memorandum of Agreement for a typical CPC project.