print

Connecting Students and Communities Program

The “Connecting Students and Communities” (CSC) program provides a University of Minnesota, Morris undergraduate student to help local units of government, K-12 schools, or community-based organizations in the areas of research, project administration, or other support. Students benefit from working with different organizations and learn ways to complete project goals. Previously funded student projects have addressed issues of senior housing, storefront design, health care research, program evaluation, document design and newsletter creation, economic analysis, Internet and web training, analyzing data, downtown revitalization, and more.

The program is offered by the Center for Small Towns (CST) at the University of Minnesota, Morris, and the University of Minnesota West Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership to 12 west central Minnesota counties -- Big Stone, Chippewa, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, and Yellow Medicine -- are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply for this free assistance is November 7, 2008. Priority is given to projects that include:

• Community based renewable energy
• Local and healthy foods
• Healthy landscapes and water
• Natural and cultural base tourism
• Economic development
• other project areas will also be considered

CST staff can assist your organization in the development of the application. If the proposal is funded, staff will also help in the coordination of activities related to the student’s involvement and help provide technical assistance related to these projects. The student will be available for up to 10 hours a week during Spring semester from January 20, 2009 (or the time of student hiring) through May 8, 2009.

APPLY NOW! To begin the application process, please fill complete the application form (MS Word or PDF format). If you have any questions, contact Jessica Beyer at (320) 589-6451 or email.

The application may also be emailed to jbeyer@morris.umn.edu

This program is offered by the University of Minnesota as a collaborative effort by the Center for Small Towns and the West Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership.