The University of San
Francisco
has reached an agreement with Upward Bound to continue the two San Francisco
institutions’ 45-year relationship, with USF sponsoring Upward Bound’s $1
million annual federal grant application.
The grant sponsorship was essential to Upward Bound
continuing uninterrupted, after the program was unable to find another sponsor
when USF provided notice in December that Upward Bound would need to move off
campus by August 2012 as the university attempts to maximize its use of space
for USF student academic programs.
Upward Bound was one of a number of organizations affected
when USF reduced the number of outside organizations allowed to operate on
campus as part of the university’s expanded summer school offerings, renewed
focus on increasing four-year graduation rates, and move toward a more
distributed campus as a result of space constraints.
“We, at USF, are very pleased that we came together to
develop a genuine partnership with the community. Upward Bound is a valuable
college-preparation program for low-income students who will also be the first
in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree,” said Mary J. Wardell, associate
vice provost for diversity and community engagement.
Wardell applauded USF students, faculty, and staff who
championed social justice and the rights of the less privileged in support of
Upward Bound in recent weeks, saying it went to the heart of USF’s mission and
history.
The agreement, reached April 15, also provides for a 9- to
11- member Upward Bound advisory board made up of USF faculty, students,
trustees, and community and corporate representatives who will provide
oversight, accountability, and assure a quality student experience by helping
to guide the overall direction and management of the program.
Chairing the board will be Joseph E. Marshall Jr. ’68, the
executive director and co-founder of Omega Boys Club/Street Soldiers in San
Francisco. Marshall founded the Black Student Union at USF and is a trustee
emeritus of the USF Board of Trustees. He currently serves as vice president of
the San Francisco Police Commission Board.
Chuck Smith, vice chair of the USF Board of Trustees and a
former president and CEO of AT&T West, will also sit on the board.
Under the agreement, Upward Bound will relocate its
administrative offices and core classrooms off campus in the San Francisco
community. The USF School of Education will continue to provide classroom space
for Upward Bound’s use when space is available.
To better integrate Upward Bound with the USF academic and
student community, a number of faculty have agreed to integrate the program
into their teaching and research, taken on roles on the Upward Bound advisory
board, and are helping foster connections to the wider San Francisco community,
said Elena Flores, USF professor of counseling psychology, who played a key
role in efforts to keep Upward Bound at USF and who has been appointed an
Upward Bound advisory board member.
“The School of Education faculty have already developed
clear proposals for integrating Upward Bound into our teaching, service, and
research,” Flores said. “We are currently moving forward to develop a process
to implement these integration plans that include other faculty on campus who
also spoke out in support of keeping the program, as well as the Upward Bound
director and staff.”
Wardell said the new arrangement benefits everyone,
Upward Bound, the San Francisco community, and USF. “There are many important
details to be worked out, but (the) agreement signals a fresh start for Upward
Bound, and for its relationship with USF and the community of San Francisco,”
Wardell said.
