College and university campuses and their leadership across the country were charged in March, 2016 by National Campus Compact to sign the Campus Compact 30th Anniversary Commitments and Action Statement. Dr. Harvey Kesselman, President of Stockton University, did not hesitate to sign this document; Stockton was a founding member of the New Jersey Campus Compact, and has valued for many years the Campus Compact perspectives and models offered on the national, regional, and state level.
One of the tasks required as part of the Action Statement was the creation of a Civic Action Plan unique to the institution. This Civic Action Plan, it was hoped, would project the breadth and depth of civic action and engagement on that campus for the next 30 years. Consequently, this document is both a strategic and forward-thinking document, and a living, organic, responsive document. It highlights Stockton’s current civic engagement capacity, as well as provides a glimpse into a potential future. Through a collaborative effort of interviews, listening sessions, and focus groups, the team charged with creating this plan makes recommendations for the next 5-10 years. A 30-year action plan felt beyond the capacity of the team, and probably not prudent, given the ever changing world. This document envisions how Stockton University plans to create its own civic action brand, promote language, and employ models that are reflective of the latest research in this field. It is our hope to create a campus-wide climate engaged in civic action and engagement.