A&AA dean, department heads and program directors met with BMD team on Monday evening for a kick off dinner. Twelve representatives of the school’s academic programs shared views on the connection of the UO to the community, the relationship between community engagement at the local level and the expectations and practice of engagement at the international level. Points of achievement such as the Vasi exhibition as well as new courses and activities were shared as part of informing a group from BMD on the vitality and interests of the school and its programs. Importance of more collaborative, shared interactivity spaces balanced with department/program centers or homes was expressed.