In recognition of its name change and new location, Emory's former Office of University-Community Partnerships (OUCP) — now called the Center for Community Partnerships (CFCP) — will host an open house on Wednesday, Sept. 19 to inaugurate its new offices in downtown Decatur.
In January, the program moved from its former home on the Briarcliff Campus to spacious new quarters at 750 Commerce Drive, Suite 400, in Decatur — a shift that brings staff and volunteers closer to the community-based organizations they work alongside every day.
Scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the open house is free and open to everyone. It will feature light hors d'oeuvres, tours of the new fourth floor office suite, an introduction of new staff, and information on how the CFCP serves as a bridge between Emory and surrounding communities.
Provost Earl Lewis and Senior Vice Provost for Community and Diversity Ozzie Harris are scheduled to give presentations at noon in the conference room.
In part, the open house is also being held to celebrate Emory's successes in community-engaged scholarship, learning and service over the past 12 years. Visitors can also learn more about initiatives planned for the upcoming academic year.
Created by the Provost's office in 2000, the newly-named CFCP is Emory's centralized resource for integrating teaching, research and service in a way that directly benefits the Atlanta community.
Working closely with dozens of local agencies, the CFCP creates a "continuum of engaged learning, research and service opportunities" for students and faculty at Emory, says Vialla Hartfield-Méndez, CFCP senior associate director and director of engaged learning.
"The name change reflects what was already so — really excellent work — and also the aspiration to more fully expand a sense of connectivity across campus, going deep and intensively into certain areas of the community, and promoting civic engagement through scholarship, teaching and service," Hartfield-Méndez explains.
Free parking is available on site. Visitors are also invited to take advantage of free shuttle service, which will run from Woodruff Circle every 30 minutes from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A final shuttle will depart for campus at 1:15 p.m.