Mark Dalhouse, director of the office of active citizenship and service,
takes a moment to answer questions about the Community Partnership
House, his role on campus and how students can get more involved.

Q: What is the Community Partnership House, and how long has it existed?

A: The CPH is the home of the Office of Active Citizenship and Service,
leadership development programs and student service groups. The house
itself has a long, interesting history. Over the years it has been the
chancellor’s home, the home of the faculty club and the office of
admissions. In the early 1990s it became the Community Partnership
House.

Q: What is the mission of the OACS?

A: The mission of OACS is to support volunteer community outreach,
provide service opportunities, and raise awareness of our rights and
responsibilities as citizens. We like to encourage students to get
involved at the next level — to not only volunteer but to question why
there are so many people in need.

Q: When did you get involved with OACS?

A: I was hired in as the director in 2003, and in early 2004 the
students I was working with added the citizenship aspect of the program
and changed the name to OACS. The students played a big role in
expanding the mission of the program.

Q: How can students get more involved with OACS?

A: Students can come to the CPH with their ideas for service and
citizenship opportunities, and we have a whole team of people who can
help them expand upon their ideas and start up organizations. Students
can also find out more about OACS by visiting our Web site at
www.vanderbilt.edu/oacs.

Q: Have you gotten your Kanye West ticket yet?

A: You know, I haven’t, but if I didn’t have newborn twins at home I would go. However, my time out is very limited right now.

Q: Any predictions for the 2007 Vanderbilt football season?

A: Go Vandy!