URBAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIESAn Exploration of the Interactions between the Two Constituencies
Adam Anderson
Introduction
College is a significant part of life for many young American adults.
Urban Universities play a large role in this education.
The Example of CUNY
Geographic Designation
53%
24%
15%
8%Urban Suburban Town Rural
Introduction
Because of the amount of capital (human or otherwise), Urban Universities impact their cities.
Columbus, Ohio, and the Higher Education Capital
Research Question
The guiding question for the study was: “What happens to the local urban neighborhood when a university is in it?”
The study sought to discover what prevalent themes occur as Urban Universities and their respective neighborhoods interact with each other.
Gannon University was used as a case study.
Limitations To Study/Definitions
Lack of cohesive body of study
Research time frame
Researcher experience
College/University
City
Urbanized Area
Enlightened Self-Interest
Limitations Definitions
Review of Literature
Review of Literature
Universities can choose to influence the built environment: Safety Functionality Aesthetics
Each of these contribute to more and safer students in the University, and contributes to the bottom line.
Review of Literature
Universities may also choose to provide social services for their neighborhoods.
Tangible – Hostos Community College
Intangible – Xavier (New Orleans)
Review of Literature
Students are a critical part of a University’s operation.
Space in Urban Settings
Students will choose to live off campus
“Studentification”
Pros: Discretionary
Buying Power Younger population
and newer culture Higher Property
Rates Cons:
“Student Ghettos” Migration of Older
populations Increased Rates of
petty theft and disrespect
Review of Literature
Universities must be weary of “Ivory Tower Language”
Best practice for Community Partnerships
If a University chooses to act unilaterally, the consequences are not always positive.
The Case of Black Bottom
Located in present day University City.
Home to a largely poor, working class African-American community.
The Case of Black Bottom
1959 – 1970: City of Philadelphia requested monies to help the West Philadelphia Corporation plan “University City”
Razed blighted properties and purchased other via eminent domain.
Estimates state nearly 5,000 individuals were displaced from Black Bottom neighborhood.
Methodology
Gannon Case Study How does Gannon interact with the
downtown Erie area? Interviews
Employees of the city of Erie At-large members of the community Employees of Gannon University Connecting the four attributes found in
Review of Literature
City of Erie Statistics
Population – 103,717
Poverty Rate – 13.8%
Median Income Per Capita - $14,972
43.8% of properties are rentals
20% of people over 25 have no High School Diploma
4 Local colleges
Downtown Erie
Erie downtown is contained 60 square blocks
Major downtown employers: Hamot Medical Center, Erie Insurance, Gannon University
Gannon University
Began by Bishop John Mark Gannon in 1925
1964 – Became Coeducational
1979 – Received University Status
Owns estimated $111 million of property in downtown Erie.
Gannon University
Located from State Street west to Chestnut street, Fourth Street south to Tenth Street
Located in one of the most impoverished areas of the entire city of Erie.
Findings
Gannon has consistently purchased and rehabilitated buildings as they expand.
17 of 36 (48%) of buildings are of this type.
The 100,000 sq ft. former Verizon State office
Findings
Gannon, however, does not pay taxes on any of the property it owns.
Elimination of tax base The Verizon Building: “Someone is
paying taxes” $193,807a year contributed in
taxes from the building
Findings
Gannon Small Business Development Center
Hosted by Gannon for 25 years Serves four county area and helps
small business through free consulting services
Findings
Community Service 30,000 hours of
logged community service
GIVE Day United Way Day of
Caring Greek Week Criminal Justice
degree Upward Bound/ACT
101
Findings
“Who tends to the streets?” Criticism of Gannon’s “insular” nature Mercyhurst Northeast LECOM
Pilot Programs 50% of possible taxable property Hamot Erie Insurance Gannon’s annual budget
Findings
“It takes away real estate” Student housing allows properties to be
filled Most people have no real complaints
with the students in Erie “You know where their money is
going, right?” Perception that most student’s
discretionary money is going towards alcohol
Findings
“Just reciprocal. My saying is ‘fair exchange, no robbery’” Perception of Gannon
as insular County Commissioner,
Mayor, Fred Rush, most of City Council are Gannon graduates
“This is the University’s back yard” Perry Square
Renovations
Conclusions
Gannon has made considerable effort to benefit the Erie downtown.
It is in Gannon’s best interest as both a Catholic University, and as a University in the midst of a strategic plan, to pursue the City of Erie as much as possible
However, its lack of funding into the downtown has caused strife amongst both city government and other schools of higher learning.
Recommendations
Downtown living incentive New townhomes
in south end of downtown Erie to be built within the next five years
10% quota (17 townhomes)
Improvement of tax base
Recommendations
Perry Square Improvements $500,000
improvements to the two block area
The park is the back yard of the University
Would be a major part of Gannon’s Pilot monies.
Recommendations
Public Relations Campaign The “Believe…” campaign Could be restructured to
include effective partnerships the University has had with the city of Erie.
“Believe in teamwork”
Recommendations: Further Research
Literature Review Essay Perceptions of Erie after
Public Relations Campaign Effect of “Graduate Halo” in
Town/Gown Relationships
Thank you for your time.
Questions?