Expertise of multiple stakeholders is to be recognized. The university is not viewed as the only reservoir of valid knowledge. All stakeholders must have a commitment to the partnership as evidenced by investment of resources such as time and talent of qualified personnel, as well as financial and coordinated resources. Maintaining Partnerships Once established, university-community partnerships require continuous attention. Although counter intuitive, panelists describe that as much time, if not more time is needed in maintenance stage.
Maintenance builds upon, tests, and extends the foundational work of the initiating stage.
To an extent, this process is one in which a new, mutual culture evolves. The equity of commitment through continuing activities creates needed synergy to sustain interest through the inevitable problem solving. Ongoing communication is equally important. A value for basic relationship-building activities is important. This is evidenced more strongly through partners' actions than their words.