The Beyond Our Gates Forums
In December 2009, President Pam Eibeck announced the Beyond Our Gates initiative: a series of six community forums to listen to the community's needs and goals.The forums, held from January-May 2010, covered topics crucial to our region.
During each event, a panel of community leaders presented what they felt were the critical challenges for their fields, as well as ideas for how Pacific could help. Then, an outside expert responded to these presentations with a topical keynote speech that addressed broader issues related to community engagement in higher education. Finally, a panel of University faculty, staff and student discussants submitted questions to the community panelists, after which audience members were able to pose questions.
Following each forum, a steering committee of community and University leaders convened to discuss what specific partnerships might address the needs raised in the forum. Each steering committee reported its recommendations to President Eibeck in July 2010. Subsequently, a recommendations committee comprising Pacific faculty and staff reviewed each report in detail. After serious discussion, the committee rank ordered recommendations according to their impact on the community and their alignment with the University's mission. They sent these recommendations to President Eibeck on September 1st.
Past Forums
January 13, 2010 - Assisting with Community Solutions for Healthcare Issues
February 10, 2010 - Partnering to Rebuild the Area's Economy: Supporting the Safety Net
March 3, 2010 - Exploring a Sustainable Future for Energy and the Environment
April 28, 2010 - Educating our Region's Future Citizens: Laying the K-16 Pipeline
May 19, 2010 - Nourishing our Spirits: Central Valley Arts and Culture