UM becomes first two-time host of Clinton Global Initiative University

The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) is coming back for seconds.

President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea Clinton will return to the University of Miami this spring to host the 2015 CGI U meeting from March 6 to 8 at the Coral Gables campus. UM is the first university to hold the program more than once.

The university previously welcomed CGI U for its third annual meeting in 2010.

“CGI U is really drawn to college campuses that have a demonstrated interest in public service and civic engagement,” said Bill Wetzel, director of CGI U. “We are really, really excited to come back given the commitment to public service and civic engagement that the university has.”

As part of the Clinton Foundation’s Clinton Global Initiative, CGI U brings together college students and global leaders to implement solutions to social issues around the world.

Thousands of students from around the world convene each spring for the program. Students that participate in CGI U are asked to apply ahead of time with their ideas for “Commitments to Action” across five areas: education, environment and climate change, poverty alleviation, peace and human rights, and public health.

The goal of the meeting is to workshop those commitments so that the students are able to continue their projects once the program is over.

UM’s projects from 2010 include a service learning initiative by Student Government (SG) that creates opportunities for students to participate in community service projects that relate to their coursework.

“It’s a very energetic group of international college students that come together to talk about, basically, making the world a better place,” UM President Donna E. Shalala said. “It’s a training ground for the next generation of leaders in the world.”

But Shalala says that CGI U is not just about another Clinton visit – as the family has frequented the campus.

“It’s not just them,” Shalala said. “It’s the whole event, and it’s the fact that about a thousand college students from all around the world will descend on the University of Miami and see our quality and brilliance. … It brings great honor to the university.”

The deadline to apply for early admission and travel assistance is Oct. 17, and the final deadline is Dec. 1. Admissions are on a rolling basis.

Information about volunteer opportunities will be announced through the Division of Student Affairs.