Partnered Community Visioning

A Proposed Campus Community Impact Plan

Tricia SimonKelsey IvancichAnthony MalyCara Grussing

St. Cloud State University

The Importance of VisioningTo regain positive community relations between Sunnyvale University and the

greater community. Our discussion will include:

A History of Town and Gown RelationsGuidelines for PartnershipsCurrent IssuesShort/Long Term RecommendationsExpected Outcomes

Town and Gown RelationsTown and Gown Origination

During Middle Ages, scholars wore long, black gowns to distinguish themselves from local citizens, hence the Town and Gown term

Normally viewed as a misunderstanding between the community and university

Can be described as a clash of different interests between people who share a geographical place

Why the Concept of Town and Gown is Mutually Beneficial Creates dialogue on a variety of life issues between leaders who might not

otherwise engage Students develop a more positive, well-rounded understanding of the

community and themselves as students Enhances the quality of living and learning in the community and university

through fostering improved communications and partnerships

Guidelines for Town and Gown Partnerships

A commitment to a shared vision, values, and goals Partnerships should be based on respect between and among the partners,

as well as a respect for and commitment to the partnership The partnership should be long-term, serious, and sustained, involving

multiple sectors in deepening and broadening relationships Partnerships should be based on mutual and common benefit and the

need for change and improvement of all partners Learning, research, and assessment of the partnership and its results

should be ongoing Partnerships should be based on actions that involve concrete, real world

successes that lead to achieving sustainable communities Partnerships should involve institutional structures that promote institutional

change and ongoing innovation, as well as cooperation and collaboration among partners

Reasons for Today's Discussion

Ongoing campus and community issues Growth of University into community Late night parties are disrupting the quaint New England community Roaming groups of students who don't seem to respect the community in

which their University resides Noise problems Enforcement issues

Sestercentennial celebration Community feels overcrowded and "under siege" by former and current

students of the University Behavior during large, annual celebrations of the University is causing

further disconnection from the communityOur goal is to set the tone for how to move forward together

and continue to build partnerships between the city and university

Task Force FormationGoal:

The task force was formed to increase communication between interested parties in order to address current issues and to develop innovative university-community partnerships

Who is involved? President, Mayor, committee members, town council member,

subcommittee of the Board of Trustees, Deputy Mayor, student government, faculty, administration, local community members

Why are they involved? This group represents key stakeholders in building better university and

community relations and will establish key cross-functional coalitions, planning committees, and assessments to gather information to build and support an initiative titled "Together We are Community"

Task Force's ConsiderationsWhen making recommendations for improving town and gown

relations, the task force considered:1. Relevant literature on effective town and gown relations2. Examples of successful university-community partnerships3. College student development theory

a. Chickering's Theory of Identity Development Seven vectors in social, emotional, and intellectual areas of well-being important to the

identity development of college students (Hamrick, Evans, & Schuh, 2002)

b. Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development Six stages of moral judgment in which "progression to more advanced stages of

reasoning requires the ability to see others' viewpoints and to reason logically" (Hamrick, Evans, & Schuh, 2002, p. 63)

Recommendations for Addressing Current Issues and Improving

University-Town RelationsNichols (1990) suggests five elements considered essential in effective

town and gown relations:1. A Commitment to Cooperation: Leadership and Communication2. An Economic Partnership3. Sharing Resources Effectively4. Being Good Neighbors5. Enhancing the Quality of Life

The task force's recommendations are organized around these five areas, with a focus on being good neighbors

Most critical recommendations to alleviating current university-community tensions

Recommendations:Educational campaign utilizing social media to educate

students and community members about how to live together in the community

Community building efforts for neighborhoods with largest populations of students

Campus programmingEnforcement

Immediate Implementations:Being Good Neighbors

Educational Campaign Objectives:

Educate students and community members about how to be good neighbors and coexist

Inform students and community members about local programs and events Provide a platform for formal and informal dialogue between community and the

university Social Media Elements

YouTube-Series of videos providing information on a variety of topics including hosting parties responsibly, community safety, etc. which will enhance awareness and the importance of respect and being a good neighbor

Facebook page-Provide up-to-date information on events, allow for conversation, and link to recordings of task force meetings and other relevant information The start of our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SunnyvaleUniversity?ref=hl

Additional marketing Bus ads-Advertisement for university programming and events and awareness of

responsible drinking and appropriate behavior

Community Building Efforts Neighborhood walks

Door-to-door greeting and delivery of relevant university information each semester

Annual community picnic/block party Bring together students and community members to get to know one another Can include demonstrations by local law enforcement officials on safety issues

and provide an opportunity for local businesses to advertise Meet and Greet events in neighborhoods

Regular meetings of students and community members to discuss community issues including livability and local revitalization projects

Safety notices Provide information to residents about current safety concerns

Website Provides information related to renting and landlords, city regulations, and

community safety Online community survey to collect information about current issues and ways to

improve the relationship between the university and community Complaint form for community members and students to report problems

Campus ProgrammingLate Night Program Implementation

Provide entertainment opportunities for students on campus as alternatives to off-campus parties and to provide opportunities to engage with other students Movie nights Live music Talent shows "Celebration of cultures" night

House Party 101 Experimental event placing students in a simulated house party Demonstrate the dangers of house parties and how to handle situations

properly and safelyOff-Campus Living Fair/Orientation Programs

Provide students information about living off campus

Enforcement Task force review of relevant policies and procedures

Student code of conduct and city ordinancesAlcohol Program for Education (APE) prevention

Drug and alcohol online and classroom educationRegistering parties held by students

Students can register parties to be informed of a complaint before police arrive

Additional patrol Daily with increased patrol during special eventsPolice partnering to share resources for planning and problem

solving, review documentation process, and training of officers (GIS hotspots)

Long-Term Implementation Plans:Continued relationship building through: A Commitment to Cooperation: Leadership and Communication

Student Affairs Commission and City Council position for studentAn Economic Partnership

Business partnershipsSharing Resources Effectively

Joint safety efforts Funding Research and training Partnerships

Enhancing the Quality of Life University Strategic Planning - mission/vision Community Service and Service-learning Opportunities and Amenities

A Commitment to Cooperation: Leadership and CommunicationStudent Affairs Commission

Create a permanent tie between City Government and students by creating a City Student Affairs Board

Who is represented? Rental property owners, business owners, neighborhood

organization representatives, various students from different constituency groups

Student Representatives on City Council and Other Decision-Making Boards

Regular Meetings of City and University Officials

An Economic PartnershipDevelop synergy - share and develop knowledge between the university and community

Bring local businesses on campus for eventsWork with local businesses to develop healthy

partnerships with the universityDevelop workshops and draw speakers to

benefit the communityCreate incentives for students to use local

businesses

Sharing Resources EffectivelyJoint safety efforts-police, fire, etc.

Exchange information on events Police involvement with planning and problem solving Agree on documentation process and training of officers

Shared funding of projectsAcademic and technical training for community membersFaculty/student research efforts to support community

initiativesUtilize community members' abilities

Adjunct faculty Internship or hands-on learning activities for students

Partner to bring speakers, artists, entertainers, etc. to benefit local business and community members

Enhancing the Quality of Life University Strategic Planning

Align mission/vision statements to include university and community and a quality of life element

Community Service Discussions of how university and community are interrelated Share how students are affecting the community Civic Engagement Program

Building connection with community service programs (United Way, Local food shelves, neighborhood cleanup and restoration projects)

Recognition program to promote administration and faculty involvement Service Learning

Begin with bringing community history into the classroom Studying neighborhood demographics/growth plan, housing, economic

development, transportation & environment in the classroom (Community in Classroom Program)

Opportunities and Amenities provided by the University and Community Farmer’s market, community garden, fine arts, entertainment and speakers

Time Frame for Planning and Implementation

BudgetThe majority of current recommendations can be

funded through current campus department budgets and through the collaboration of university and city funding.

Future possible revenue sources: Student Government Association sponsored

referendum to fund eventsResearch grant opportunities for civic

learning/engagement programs and alcohol educationCharitable gift campaign

Expected Outcomes/Benefits of Recommendations

Expected Student Outcomes: Increase knowledge and demonstration of appropriate student behavior Appreciation of cultural and human differences, social responsibility, and sense of civic

responsibility Enhance interpersonal skills and relationships

Expected Community Outcomes Decrease the level of complaints from community members Improve communication between university and community Develop partnerships between university and community

How to measure outcomes: Immediate Assessments

Community survey, Student survey, Review and comparison of annual disturbance/noise complaints

Future assessments: University Audit/Typology Matrix, SWOT Analysis, Gap Analysis, Continued Environmental

Scan

Next StepsBi-weekly meetings of the task force to review

progress Implementing work groups for identified

recommendations out of the task force and with other partners from the greater community and campus

Continued updates to interested parties

Thank you for your time and commitment to improving university and community relations.

Feedback can be directed to the Dean of Students at Sunnyvale University.