Center for Community Services

In the 1974 Proposal for Academic Autonomy, Purdue University Calumet proposed the creation of a Center for Community Services to serve as the “locus of some interdisciplinary programs and provide the vehicle for some effective university service in the community and in training students for community service.” By October 1974, Chancellor Richard Combs established a committee to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the Center for Community Services. The Center was officially established in July 1975 following the April 1975 approval by the Faculty Senate (then referred to as the Faculty Council or Council of Faculty Delegates).  Acting as a community outreach unit for the Calumet Campus, the Center for Community Services sought: 1. To contribute to the knowledge of urban life and apply this knowledge to society 2. To help the University relate to urban society and help constituent communities in turn to relate to the University. 3. To help the State of Indiana and Region One (made up of Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Stark, Newton, Jasper, and Pulaski Counties) and its communities deal with urban problems. 4. To coordinate the development and administer those University services designed to improve the quality of life in the Region through cultural, social and economic enrichment activities 5. To serve as a catalyst for the development of interdisciplinary activities 6. To serve as a consultant to agencies and organizations whose purposes and functions are consonant with the aims and objectives of the University 7. To assist, encourage and coordinate the University’s efforts in seeking resources for the development of programs of varying types The Center for Community Services had two subunits: the Office of Continuing Education and the Urban Development Institute. In 1979, the Center for Community Services became a subunit of the new formed School of General Studies and Community Services. This combined the efforts of the Center with The Community College at Purdue University Calumet. In January 1986, the Faculty Council of the School of General Studies and Community Services endorsed the proposal to change the name to the School of General Studies. Simultaneously, the Center for Community Services was reinstated to assume the duties of the mission of the School of General Studies and Community Services dealing with community service and outreach.

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