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. It is important to continue to review stakeholders' roles and responsibilities. One respondent indicated that roles may have to be negotiated on an ongoing basis. A continuing awareness of the politics of a situation at both the university and community level was identified as being important.