Accountability, for America's private colleges and universities, extends beyond the campus to the communities in which these institutions reside. They have a responsibility to be "good neighbors," sensitive to the needs, desires, and concerns of those whose lives they affect and hope to enrich by virtue of their location.

Virtually all private colleges and universities share a commitment to volunteerism, on the the part of their faculty and staff as well as students. These often ambitious and innovative efforts have been documented on the "Census of Service" pages of the CampusCares Web site -- an on-line inventory of community service and civic engagement by both the public and private sectors of higher education.  We suggest you visit that site for an exhaustive list of these volunteer activities.

Many colleges and universities also use their financial and human resources to structurally improve the community beyond their gates. Far-reaching and long-term partnerships between colleges and their communities have enhanced living conditions, revitalized commercial districts, improved K-12 schools, and created new jobs in economically-distressed neighborhoods.

Beyond volunteerism, the following list offers examples of the diverse ways that colleges and universities reach out to and impact their communities.