Social Impact
Stellenbosch University
Social Impact – Draft Policy
Social Impact Symposium – 15 April 2016
Dr Antoinette Smith-Tolken
Social Impact Look and Feel
Division for Social Impact
Afdeling Sosiale Impak
Icandelo elinefuthe kuluntu
Impacting lives: with society, for society | Impakteer lewens met
die samelewing, vir die samelewing | Sihlangene noluntu ukuzisa
ifuthe kwimpilo, ukwenzela uluntu
Draft policy framework: Intro
Introduction or preamble which sets the context of the policy:
Meaning of social impact in a higher education institution – in this case SU:
“Social Impact at Stellenbosch University is an institutional strategic priority through
which the university commits itself to reciprocally influence, motivate and activate
stakeholders both in the university and in society towards equitable social
change through its core functions and tacit expertise aligned with the formalised
local, national and international development goals.”
Positioning of social impact: Function? Strategy?
IIS: Social Impact as a strategic priority.
State how we want to do it – collaborative; reciprocal impact; core functions;
Volunteerism; community outreach; public service; social entrepreneurship;
partnerships
Positioning in SA HE – recognition of Community Engagement context
- University as corporate citizen
Policy replaces the Community Interaction Policy 2009
Purpose, Aims, Scope
Purpose of the policy: A succinct statement of why it is necessary to have a policy
- To provide a policy framework for the implementation of social impact
Aims of the policy:
 provide a conceptual framework to create a common understanding of the
meaning of social impact in a university context
 articulate the principles and provisions that will guide social impact practice;
 set out the institutional mechanisms and structures to enable, govern and
support social impact at SU
 Lay down criteria to enhance the quality of interactions and enhance systemic
impact
Scope of the policy:
 The policy guides all rules, procedures and implementation of social impact.
 The policy applies to all staff and students of the University whilst on any
property under the University’s jurisdiction or whilst engaged in any Universityrelated action in society.
 The policy will be implemented after approval by council in September 2016
Definitions
Definitions: of all relevant concepts and terms used in the policy
Working definition:
Social impact refers to the mutually beneficial associations and partnerships
between:
a. the university (academics, students, professional academic support staff,
administrators, alumni),
b. external societal partners (government, industry and civil society),
c. on the basis of the university’s teaching, learning and research expertise, it’s tacit
and professional knowledge combined with societal practice, experience and
indigenous knowledge,
d. resulting in measureable change beyond the scope of any singular programme
or project.
Social Impact is innovative and energizes the drive for excellence and active,
responsible and critical citizenship of students and staff.
Other definitions that might be included
Principles, Provisions & Control
Policy principles: direct our actions – give content to the values, basis and context
Of SI
Values of IIS that underscores our social impact activities
Reciprocity and ethics in relationship building and maintaining
Context of Social impact: Local, National International development agendas
Basis of social impact: Contribution to societal wellbeing through engaged scholarship
Engaged citizenship and corporate citizenship
Provisions of the policy:
a. Typology
b. Criteria
c. Governance
d. Management
e. Support
Conflict settlement
Policy control: Roles; Implementation; Monitoring and Evaluation
Reporting, Revision etc.
Alignment to IIS
Attributes: Inclusive
Vision
Expertise/
Competence
base
Innovative
Future
orientated
Transformation
Promote inclusive Institutionalise
development and engaged
innovation
scholarship
Staff responsible
citizenship
Diversity
Broadening of
access
Creation of
educational and
vocational
opportunities
Student
success
The establishment
of comprehensive
rural platforms
Systemic
sustainability
Social Impact
policy /
collaborative
culture
Graduate
attributes
Social Impact
Knowledge
Platform
Brokering &
management of
specified
categories of
partnerships
Critical
citizenship and
social justice
Typology
Social Impact @ Stellenbosch University
Engaged
Teaching &
Learning
Engaged
Research
Engaged
Citizenship
• Collaborative
• Graduate attributes
• Critical citizens
• Collaborative
• Relevant
• Co-creating
knowledge
• Co-curricular
• Staff volunteerism
• Outreach
Social Impact
…is an institutional
strategy through which
the university commits
itself to reciprocally
influence, motivate and
activate stakeholders
both in the university and
in society towards
equitable social change
through its core functions
and tacit expertise
aligned with the
formalised local, national
and international
development goals.
Criteria for SU Social Impact
Collaboration internally in the university and externally between the university and a
particular social grouping, organisation and/or institution.
Embraces engaged scholarship, is transformative and produces evidence of systemic
impact.
Grounded on sustainable asset-based development processes informed by
formalised local, national or international development goals.
Outreach initiatives must broaden access to educational and occupational development opportunities while offering engaged citizenship opportunities to staff and
students
Charity initiatives are not a standalone but an enabling mechanism of sustainable
development processes.
Promotes inclusive innovation, advocates social justice and strives towards social
change.
Governance of SI
• Vice-Rector Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel (SI,T&P)
• A senate committee for SI (SIC[S])
• Faculty SI committees is an imperative
•
•
•
•
Decide where the faculty will focus their collaborative activities
Explore inter-, multi- and transdisciplinary social impact initiatives
Faculty develops focus areas aligned with expertise
Consultation with particular partner groupings
• Division for Social Impact (DSI): Facilitate, broker relationships,
enable and support
• Student structures (both curricular and co-curricular activities)
• Decentralised funding where faculty has decision-making power
Sustainable Development Goals
National
Develop
ment
Plan
Strategic Provincial Goals
THANK YOU