It is appropriate for the Governor to look to higher education to help reverse young people s declining interest in civic engagement, since traditionally, education institutions have been effective transmitters of core civic values to new generations. In fact, the foundation of public higher education is built on the three equal pillars of teaching, research, and service. The California State University, particularly, sees its mission as serving the citizens and institutions of California, and for many decades CSU institutions, faculty and students have been engaged in service to their communities. Throughout history, students in the CSU system have benefited from courses that have included practica, internships, observations and experiences in community settings and instructors that incorporate action research in their teaching. Responding to a growing body of research on teaching and learning, CSU institutions began to integrate service activities into their academic curriculum, as they joined higher education movements such as Campus Compact, and worked through Learn and Serve, AmeriCorps, and other service programs designed to provide structured community service opportunities.
Cornerstones places great emphasis on the critical importance of service.
Specifically, the CSU has embraced the idea of community service learning as a pedagogical and learning approach for its students, and has emerged as one of the leading public higher education systems in the nation offering community service learning. The commitment to this educational approach is substantial throughout the CSU system. CSU Monterey Bay is founded with community service learning at its core. Other CSU institutions have moved to incorporate community service learning into their mission and to develop courses that include service as an integral component of the undergraduate experience. Moreover, the CSU Chancellor has established an Office of Community Service Learning and has appointed a coordinator to support the University s efforts to expand community service learning throughout the system.