Since 1971, HECUA has been developing out-of-classroom educational experiences in urban affairs and social justice issues. With programs in the U.S. and abroad, HECUA examines the systems that create inequality and the ways that social change is made. HECUA's programs address the changing global economic systems with a multicultural perspective.

HECUA's programs appeal to all majors and provide an integrated set of learning experiences. Seminars provide rich context to the direct experiences of internships or field projects.

HECUA gives students the chance to bridge their academic learning with direct experience of the urgent social challenges facing our society. It takes students into urban communities to test academic theories in the real world. Students develop critical analysis and hands-on skills for creating social change.

The programs require all students to actively participate in their own learning and contribute to the learning of the whole group. Students meet frequently for group seminars and discussions. Most students complete an independent study project during the semester.

HECUA programs attract students from member colleges which represent the Midwest's top private colleges and public universities. They also draw students from such institutions as Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Swarthmore, and Oberlin.

The city as a laboratory for learning

HECUA uses the urban setting to study the underlying causes of social inequality, and successful community building and social change strategies. Program sites are studied in their regional, national and international contexts.

A community of learners

As part of a committed learning group, students engage in many hours of group study and discussion. This creates a strong support network for students grappling with new experiences. The group creates a microcosm of diversity for students to test preconceived ideas. Valuable skills in constructively discussing issues serve students well in future academic and professional pursuits.

A reputation for quality

As part of a consortium of the region's top liberal arts colleges, HECUA meets these colleges' high standards for credit coursework. Academically rigorous readings, assignments and discussions challenge the world view of students.

A diversity of voices

Full-time, on-site program directors serve as primary faculty, utilizing many experts from colleges and the outside community to illuminate diverse approaches to social change. Guest lecturers provide the diverse perspectives of community leaders, renowned scholars, activists and artists. They give students a vivid and personal encounter with local culture and issues.

Something for every major

HECUA programs tie it together, with an interdisciplinary approach serving every major from sociology to environmental studies, geography to studio arts, philosophy to political science.

HECUA is a consortium of 15 colleges in the Upper Midwest. Each member school has a campus representative who advises students on campus and serves on the HECUA Board of Directors.

CAMPUS REPRESENTATIVES (1998-99)

Augsburg College, Garry Hesser, Sociology Dept., 612/330-1664, [email protected]

Augustana College, Reynold Nesiba, Economics Dept., 605/336-5310, [email protected]

Carleton College, Margit Johnson, Off-Campus Studies, 507/646-4332, [email protected]

College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, Stephen Burmeister-May, International Education, 320/363-3225, [email protected]

College of St. Catherine, Mary Wagner, Information Management Dept., 612/690-6843, [email protected]

Concordia University-St. Paul, Thomas Saylor, History Dept., 612/641-8253, [email protected]

Gustavus Adolphus College, Lisa Heldke, Philosophy Dept., 507/933-7029, [email protected]

Hamline University, Karen Vogel, Political Science Dept., 612/523-2973, [email protected]

Macalester College, James Stewart, History Dept., 612/696-6496, [email protected]

St. Mary's University, Not Yet Appointed

St. Olaf College, Frank Odd, Modern Languages Dept., 507/646-3466, [email protected]

University of Minnesota, Carl Brandt, Office for Special Learning Opportunities, 624-7577, [email protected] Al Balkcum, Global Campus, 612/625-5593, [email protected]

University of St. Thomas, Cris Toffolo, Theology Dept., 612/962-5303, [email protected]

Viterbo College, Nancy Krug, Spanish Dept., 608/796-3491, [email protected]

 

HECUA also serves students from a wide variety of colleges and universities across North America. Students from the following non-member schools have participated in HECUA programs:

 

Adelphi University Allegheny College Alma College American University Antioch College Arizona State University Bates College Bethel College Boston College Boston University Bowdoin College Brown University Bryn Mawr College Bucknell University California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo California University - Los Angeles Carnegie Mellon University Chapman College Claremont McKenna College Clark University Colgate University College of Visual Arts College of William & Mary Colorado College Colorado University Columbia University Concordia College-Moorhead Cornell University Dartmouth College Davidson College Delaware University Doane University Drake University Duke University Earlham College Fairfield University Fordham University Franklin & Marshall College Gettysburg College Goucher College Grand Valley State University Grinnell College Guilford College Hampshire College Harvard University Hinds Community College Indiana University James Madison University John Hopkins University Lewis & Clark College Luther College Mankato State University Minneapolis College of Art & Design Metro State College Miami University Michigan State University Middlebury College Monterey Institute of International Studies Mount Holyoke College New College, University of South Florida New Hampshire University New York University North Carolina State University North Dakota State University Northland College Oberlin College Occidental University Ohio State University Pennsylvania University Pitzer College Presbyterian College Princton University Purdue University Reed College Rhode Island University Richmond College Ripon College

Sarah Lawrence College Seattle University Skidmore College South Dakota State University St. Cloud State University St. Joe's College St. Mary's College of Maryland Ohio State University Pennsylvania University Pitzer College Presbyterian College Princton University Purdue University Reed College Rhode Island University Richmond College Ripon College Sarah Lawrence College Seattle University Skidmore College South Dakota State University St. Cloud State University St. Joe's College St. Mary's College of Maryland St. Norbert College Stanford University SUNY - Fredonia SUNY - Geneseo Swarthmore College Texas Christian University Trinity University Tufts University University of Alabama University of Alaska Southeast University of California - Berkeley University of California - San Diego University of Chicago University of Colorado - Boulder University of Denver University of Dubuque University of Iowa University of Maryland - Baltimore University of Massachusetts University of Michigan University of Minnesota - Morris University of Missouri - Columbia University of New Mexico University of North Carolina University of Northern Colorado University of Notre Dame University of Pennsylvania University of Redlands University of Rhode Island University of Richmond University of Rochester University of Saskatchewan University of Texas - Austin University of the Pacific University of Toronot University of Vermont University of Washington University of Wisconsin - Madison University Pacific Wake Forest University Washington University Westmar University Wheaton College Wichita State University Williamette University Williams College Winnipeg University Winona State University Wittenberg University Yale University

Semester programs:

* Metro Urban Studies Term - U.S. (Minneapolis/St. Paul) - Fall
* City Arts - U.S. (Minneapolis/St. Paul) - Spring
* Scandinavian Urban Studies Term - Norway (plus Sweden, Estonia) - Fall
* South American Urban Semester - Guatemala (plus Ecuador) - Fall
* Culture & Society in Latin America - Guatemala (plus Puerto Rico) - Spring
* Community Internships in Latin America - Ecuador - Spring

Short-term programs:

*Environment, Economy and Community in Guatemala -- January 2000 *Development and Community in Bangladesh--January 2000

HECUA is involved in developing new off-campus study programs as well, to be announced.

Responsibilities and Benefits of HECUA Membership

Responsibilities of HECUA member institutions

1. ANNUAL DUES: Annual membership dues, payable upon receipt of statement from HECUA.

2. GOVERNANCE: Appointment of individual to represent the member college on the board of directors in promoting the mission of HECUA and assuring adequate organizational resources for effective implementation of HECUA's goals. The director may be the President or Chief Academic Officer or their choice of appropriate faculty or staff.
3. ENROLLMENT: Annual contribution to enrollment goals established by the board of directors. Members make a commitment to making HECUA programs prominent and successful as their own. Representative and HECUA staff will work together to create individual campus goals and strategies to support them.

HECUA's Commitment to its Members

1. Governance: Members can expect support by HECUA for effective decision-making by the board of directors.
2. SERVICE: HECUA is a service-oriented organization dedicated to serving its members not only with quality programs, but opportunities for involving campus constituencies in planning, development and leadership.
3. EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES: HECUA is a steward of member and student resources and is committed to delivering effective and efficient management of the organization and its programs.

Benefits of HECUA Membership
The benefits of membership to the college and to HECUA depend largely on the quality and extent of the representative participation in the HECUA Board and in relevant campus affairs.

1. EXPANSION OF HOME-CAMPUS CURRICULA to include a variety of high-quality, directly monitored and regulated, off-campus programs which are difficult and burdensome for any single college to develop and administer. The unique HECUA curriculum focus and pedagogy permits expansion of curricular offerings in the experiential, study abroad educational categories, as well as disciplinary and interdisciplinary majors. This expansion can enhance recruitment and retention strengths of the college's portfolio of offerings while avoiding financial and administrative burdens and logistical complexities particularly associated with experiential, field study and international programs.
2. GOVERNANCE: Through representation on the Board, the college is able to participate in oversight and development of programs and operations to ensure quality and to meet the needs and interests of your college. In addition, the college can enjoy intimate knowledge about the programs to confidently promote them on campus.
3. ENROLLMENT PRIORITY: Member students who meet individual program requirements receive priority consideration for enrollment (up to a specified deadline.)
4. REASONABLE AND DISCOUNTED COMPREHENSIVE FEES: HECUA program fees are generally comparable or below costs of other programs offered through the member institutions. Member college students receive a member discount fee for study abroad programs (currently $400 less than non-member students; for Twin Cities programs, student pay the equivalent of their home college tuition.)
5. PROGRAM OWNERSHIP: Since HECUA programs are treated as the member college's own curricular offerings, member college students register for HECUA programs at their own campus and receive home campus credit. As a result, the students who are eligible for financial aid or scholarships can apply these funds toward the payment for HECUA programs. The home campus registration is also advantageous to the college for retaining funds and aid tied to student enrollment. Members may use HECUA and materials to enhance their own recruitment and fundraising efforts. HECUA does not compete with members in approaching funders.
6. PROMOTIONAL ASSISTANCE: Members receive support from HECUA to promote the programs: alumni of HECUA programs on campus can help represent the programs through Student Liaisons stipends and training provided by HECUA; promotional materials and campus visits by HECUA faculty and staff are also an on-going part of member services.
7. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Member college faculty and staff have access to an on-going set of forums and sessions throughout the year that join a unique network of colleagues addressing issues of mutual interest and advance the teaching and learning goals of the institution.
8. HECUA FELLOWS PROGRAM: HECUA provides grants for member participation in the HECUA Fellows program, an opportunity for short-term visits to HECUA programs locally and abroad for professional development and enhanced advising and integration of learning on campus.
9. PRESENTATION FUNDS: Funding is available to support member faculty presentations about the HECUA model and experience at professional conferences and/or in publications. This permits special opportunity for collegial interchange and collaboration across disciplines, perspectives and member institutions.
10. EXPERTISE: Members have access to HECUA's expertise in curriculum, planning and organizational development. Special consulting and technical assistance may include custom workshops on topics such as developing interdisciplinary curriculum, effective experiential programming, integrating internships and ethical issues, or individual consultancies.
11. ACCESS TO A UNIQUE NETWORK JOINED BY UNIQUE MISSION: Membership affords access to an information source and a network of communications among like-minded educators that is not available elsewhere.
12. ASSOCIATION WITH SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION: HECUA members join a recognized consortium of our region's top educational institutions with shared commitment to quality urban, multicultural and international education and to preparing students for effective citizen leadership. HECUA affords unique programming and resources only possible through collaboration. During these times of sensitivities to scarce resources in higher education and challenges to do more with less, HECUA is proud to be a model of offering members solutions that net far more and better results for each member than could be achieved by any acting alone.