Economic impact of UNCW's volunteer service valued at $3.89M | News

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – The economic impact of UNCW's
volunteer services are valued at $3.89 million, according to a new report by
the Chancellor's Office of Community Partnerships.

The UNCW Community Partnerships Impact Report shows that
UNCW students, faculty and staff participated in more than 178,555 hours of
service through 714 documented partnerships during the 2010-2011 academic year.

According to UNCW, the study calculates the economic impact
of faculty, staff and students' service by multiplying the hours served by
$21.79, the nationally estimated value of volunteer time, according to the
Independent Sector.

"Our students, faculty and staff are not necessarily
thinking about the economic impact of their efforts when they volunteer in a
local school, build a house for a family in need, start a community garden,
serve on a nonprofit organization's board or participate in activities that
address regional concerns. They are focused on making a difference in our
community, our state and our world," Chancellor Gary L. Miller said. "I believe
it is important to underscore the value of their efforts to measurably
demonstrate UNCW's commitment to our love of place."

Other study results from UNCW include:

• Nearly
  half of UNCW's 13,000 students participated in outreach efforts through
  service learning projects, community service projects and civic engagement
  activities.
• In
  regard to faculty service, there were 259 faculty members reporting,
  representing 41 departments, who contributed 19,531 hours of service to
  more than 600 local, regional, state and national organizations. Faculty
  held 238 leadership positions (such as board member, president, etc.) in
  the varied organizations.
• These
  activities took place at 1,532 different sites during 2010-2011. Nearly
  half the sites (652) were located in Wilmington/New Hanover County.
• Programs
  that focus on education account for 27% of the 714 community partnerships
  documented in 2010-11. Other percentages include: social services (24%);
  arts and culture (15%); and health services (12%).
• A full
  copy of the Impact Report is available on the new Community Partnerships
  website: uncw.edu/partnerships.

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