I believe we should recognize academic outreach as a form of scholarship that includes teaching and research in "off-campus" environments or with "off- campus" constituents. Academic outreach involves generating, transmitting, and applying knowledge for the benefit of external publics in ways that are consistent with university strengths, tradition and mission.

I believe that scholarship is the attribute that characterizes all academic outreach activities of land grant faculty and staff. Scholarship is informed by accumulated knowledge, skillfully interpreted, and communicated with openness to new information, public debate, personal reflection and constructive criticism.

University outreach activities must be focused on the highest priority societal needs for which we have competency to address.

Among the activities that are considered academic outreach are: answers to questions from individuals, businesses or communities; problem solving; non-formal education; continuing education and short courses; policy analysis; technology transfer; and applied research.

John M. Gerber, 1994