(a) The Office of Higher Education shall, in addition to its other powers and duties and in consultation with the Connecticut Campus Compact for Student Community Service established pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, provide for a comprehensive, coordinated and state-wide system of college and university community service programs designed to assist in the identification and solution of community problems in urban, suburban and rural areas, and, as a part thereof, shall (1) identify problems, matters or areas relevant to the interests and welfare of the citizens of the state which it deems should be made the subject of community service programs, (2) support community service programs regarding such problems, matters or areas through any public or private institution of higher education in the state, through any combination of such institutions, and through any joint, collective, regional, representative or other organization established by such institutions or by professional staff members designated by such institutions, (3) provide an information service about community service programs in institutions of higher education in the state, (4) publish such documents as will, in its judgment, further its activities, and (5) in consultation with institutions of higher education in the state, develop a plan to improve the integration of student community service programs with academic course offerings and submit the plan to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education not later than June 30, 1991.

(b) The office may expend its appropriations and receipts received for the purpose of initiating and supporting community service programs by means of contracts, grants or other arrangements which it deems effective and appropriate, provided nothing in this section or § 10a-48a shall prevent the Office of Higher Education from accepting volunteer services or receiving and expending federal or private funds for purposes of this section and § 10a-48a.

(c) There is established a Connecticut Campus Compact for Student Community Service to review opportunities and initiatives for, and develop plans to encourage and support, student community service programs at institutions of higher education in the state or which involve cooperation and coordination among such institutions. The compact shall be composed of the chief executive officer or president of each public and independent institution of higher education in the state and the executive director of the Office of Higher Education, or their designees. On or before October 1, 1989, and at least annually thereafter, the executive director of the Office of Higher Education shall convene the members of the compact.