Patricia Mooney-Melvin, Associate Professor, Loyola University Chicago

Proposal Type

Roundtable

Seeking
  •  Seeking Additional Presenters
Related Topics
  • Civic Engagement
  • Inclusion
  • Memory
Abstract

Universities intersect with multiple communities both within and outside of the physical space they occupy.  Students do not leave their concerns outside the institutional gates.  Universities have to co-exist with their immediate communities.  Knowledge gained in the university should work in the world.  History can play a role or be a central feature of the intersection between the university and its communities.  This session explores the possibilities and challenges as well as the pressures and the opportunities that can shape the nature of the university-community dynamic. Topics already on the table include communities and the outward-facing university, slavery and memory on college campuses, and neighborhood local history projects.

Description

Universities interact with multiple communities in a myriad of ways.  Situated in towns and cities, they directly impact the localities in which they are situated.  Communities form on campus over a range of social issues, most recently over issues of their institution’s past.  What role does “history” play in these contexts?  What are the opportunities, challenges, successes and failures associated with the utilization of history and historical understanding among the university and its many constituencies?  This roundtable will explore these questions and generate reflection on the power of history – and historians – in both external and internal community relations.


If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly: Patricia Mooney-Melvin, [email protected]

If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.

All feedback and offers of assistance should be submitted by July 2, 2017.

Discussion

8 comments
  1. Gregory Mobley says:

    This session would be of interest to those of us connected with urban universities, whose relationships with surrounding neighborhoods can be contentious. This session also connects with issues raised in the “Campus History as Public History” working group at the Baltimore meeting and the “Campus Historians in the Middle: Navigating Controversial and Contested Campus Histories” session at the Indianapolis meeting.

    1. Pat Mooney-Melvin says:

      Hi, Greg, Do you have a proposal you would like us to consider to add to the round table? If so, please let me know asap.

      Best,
      Pat

  2. Patricia Mooney-Melvin says:

    Hi, Greg, Do you have a proposal you would like us to consider to add to the round table? If so, please let me know asap.

    Best,
    Pat

    1. Hi Pat – in case Greg doesn’t see this, as one of the co-conveners of the NCPH campus histories working group, I’d be happy to share suggestions for proposals/speakers. mmercado at colgate dot edu!

      1. Pat Mooney-Melvin says:

        That would be great, Monica, and much appreciated. I am going out of town at the beginning of July and would like to submit at the end of June. They can reach me directly at [email protected].

  3. Victoria Hensley says:

    Hi Pat,

    I am very interested in the topic and will present at two conferences in the fall on the ties between the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill neighborhoods, and the campus vs. town built environment. Are you still looking for additional presenters? I would love to pass along a short proposal if so.

    Thanks!

    Victoria

    1. Pat Mooney-Melvin says:

      Hi, Victoria, Thanks for your interest. I will be submitting the proposal by the 6th since I am going out of town on the 7th. Can you send me something this weekend for me to take a look at? Mu email is [email protected].

      Pat

  4. Andrew McGregor says:

    Hi Pat — As Monica said, several of us have been working on related issues. I’d be willing to participate and offer insights from my research into the history of college sports as a form of public relations. You can reach me at [email protected]

    Best,

    Andrew

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.