Representatives from all four areas will spend the day learning about the challenges each constituency faces, how to use the resources of the university better and how to build partnerships with each other.

"The entire service family at CSUN, from faculty to students and staff, is really looking forward to meeting people in the community to find new ways we can work together to make a difference," said Maureen Rubin, director of CSUN's Center for Community-Service Learning.

The daylong summit will begin at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast, followed at 9 a.m. by the first speaker. The summit will take place in the University Student Union near the center of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St., in Northridge. Free parking is available.

This is the first summit of its kind to be held at the university.

The day will feature workshops on a variety of subjects, from the practical ‹ such as insurance, fingerprinted and background checks ‹ to the more philosophical, like using service to transform the community.

Morning topics include meeting practical challenges, navigating CSUN, working effectively with students, capacity building for partnerships, empowering students to service in diverse communities, community-based research, and creating government/university partnerships.

Afternoon topics include environment and community rejuvenation, elementary and secondary schools, youth and teen issues, physical, mental and family health and special needs, poverty, hunger, homelessness and housing, community safety and homeland security, technology, senior citizen issues and culture and the arts.

The cost is $10 per person, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and parking. For more information or to make a reservation, call (818) 677-2871 or e-mail commserlearn@csun.edu.

Launched in 1998, CSUN's Center for Community-Service Learning aims to inspire, encourage and support students and faculty in their pursuit of academic excellence through involvement in meaningful community service.

California State University, Northridge has more than 31,000 full- and part-time students and offers 63 bachelor's and 51 master's degrees. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley and the third largest in the 23-campus CSU system. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges recently said CSUN "stands as a model to other public urban institutions of higher education."