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Overview <br />The University of Minnesota learning experience provides students with broad based <br />skills in critical thinking,. communication, and problem solving which are the foundation <br />for the pursuit of advanced education and successful- careers. We also believe that the <br />University experience can contribute significantly to the creation of good citizens-- <br />individuals who are engaged in their communities, concerned with social justice, .and <br />_ awaze of the complex and rapidly changing cultural and global environment in which we <br />live. <br />The development of these skills and chazacteristics, however, is not. confined to any <br />particulaz element. of the academic curriculum. Indeed, many of the traits associated with <br />..success beyond the University are just as likely to be developed during a student's co- <br />curricular experiences as-they are in the classroom. Given the progress the University <br />has made the past. few years in attracting outstanding students and enhancing their <br />learning experience, it is time to become more explicit and purposeful regarding both the <br />broader developmental outcomes we believe our students should achieve, and the role <br />that civic engagement plays in helping. students. attain these outcomes. <br />Student Experience Outcomes <br />Among the characteristics associated with good citizenship and success beyond the <br />Universityare the following: <br />Re~gansibility ._ '_- Self-.Confidence <br />Accountability Humility <br />Independence Resilience <br />Goal Orientation Appreciation of Differences <br /> <br />Positive Self-Ima e Tolerance of Ambiguity <br />r <br />We need to introduce students to these expectations during their first encounters with the <br />University, and we need to develop within our graduation planning efforts a variety of <br />"paths" related to these outcomes and to civic engagement. These paths should reflect <br />student interests, academic fields, and future goals, as well as community needs. <br />Students understand that their academic progress is of great concern to the University; <br />they need to have a similar expectation regarding the importance of their overall <br />development as well-rounded, engaged citizens. <br />Rinehart, Swan, Nobbe <br />November 2003 <br />