Upload
dan-ryan
View
756
Download
1
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Building a Bridge Between Town and Gown
Dan Ryan, University at BuffaloKim Griffo, International Town & Gown Association, Clemson University, Clemson, South CarolinaMarch 9, 2010
International Town and Gown Association
• Founded in 2008 by the City of Clemson and Clemson University
• Founding members include: Cal Poly, University of Colorado, Boulder, City of Clemson, Clemson University, JCUAB-Clemson, Murray State University
• General Membership grown to over 200 members
International Town and Gown Association
• Best Practices in Building University/City Relations Conference 5th successful year
• OFF-CAMPUS Programs-ITGA becoming National Organization to serve as resource and clearinghouse for Off- Campus Units
Bridge Building Toolkit
Top Down Support- President-This is a Must Have
Identify INTERNAL BARRIERS and EXTERNAL BARRIERS- The Little Shop of We Have Always Done It
This Way” ( The WHADITW store)
Convenience Stores “conveniently” located on and off campus
Bridge Building Toolkit
Know your Maven, Typically SHE is not an elected official but has great influence and community power to support your Town-Gown Initiative, She only uses her power for good deeds, however don’t cross her, others will voluntarily do her dirty work.
Establish Town and Gown Partnership Fund-funds small and large projects that benefit the university and the community as determined by the advisory board. This gives everyone ownership of the Town-Gown Projects.
- There is plenty of work to go around, don’t wait to be asked, you reach out-
Bridge Building Toolkit
Examples:
George Washington University http://www.gwu.edu/connect/community/foggybottomwestend
Virginia Tech- Moving Off Campus Part 1
Background – University Heights
Home to over 2,500 UB Students – roughly 25% of residents
Total Population
Tract 46.01 Tract 47
1940 3,804 7,914
1950 3,907 7,769
1960 6,286 7,493
1970 4,389 7,246
1980 3,811 7,048
1990 3,482 6,934
2000 3,503 6,895
Off-Campus Student Services
• Created in September, 2008• Created Off-Campus Student
Relations Team with representatives from University Police, Judicial Affairs, Student Life and Community Relations
• Established a new office in Allen Hall• Launched Incident Tracking form
enabling us to track and report on complaints
Early Steps
• Strategic plan developed Fall/Winter collecting input from over 100 community leaders, business owners, elected officials, students and neighborhood residents, students, block clubs, churches, local business owners and University stakeholders
• Identified major overarching issues to be addressed:• Crime/Safety• Housing Quality• Business Leadership• Student Behavior• Building Community • Managing Expectations
Crime/Safety
Crime & Safety
• 5 Cameras installed integrated with City of Buffalo system
• Joint patrols established with BPD and NFTA• Listserv established for students to facilitate
safety messaging, as well as programming and activities
• Ongoing communication with Buffalo Police and E District personnel
• Expansion of bussing and hours of safety shuttle
Housing Quality
Housing Quality
• Active engagement with Problem Properties Task Force
• Collaborated with Community Relations and Buffalo Department of Permits and Inspections to create a Top -Twenty list - resulting in internal inspections of properties.
• Advocated to SUB Board 1 to remove properties with Health or Housing code violations from list of available rental properties.
• Programs to help students become more educated consumers (Tenants Rights workshop, working collaboratively with Permits & Inspections as well as County Health Dept.)
Business Districts
Business Leadership
• Hosted three meetings of Bailey & Main Street Business owners.
• Published Directory of Main Street and Bailey Ave. businesses and distributed throughout neighborhood.
• Plans Underway for a UB Savings Card offering discounts to students, faculty staff & neighborhood residents to local businesses
• Hosted informational session on Campus Cash program in collaboration with Campus Dining and Shops
• Work closely with office of Community Relations helping connect businesses with University Resources
Student Behavior
Student Behavior• Launched Incident tracking database enabling
us to track and report on complaints• Implemented web-based complaint form to
feed into database above• Developed and implemented strategy to
intervene before announced parties take place• Counsel students on being better neighbors • As part of restorative justice effort, students
who commit Student Code violations with behavior off-campus are sanctioned to perform their community service hours on or about the South Campus
Student Behavior• Established Community
Expectations seminar as an educational sanction, featuring panelists from UB, BPD and neighborhood block clubs
• Provide programming as an alternative to house parties in collaboration with Amherst Theaters – Midnight Movie Madness
Building Community
Building Community
• Hosted first annual UB Block Party & Safety Fair, encouraging long term residents and students to interact in a non-threatening environment
• UB’s Alternative Spring Break performed service in University Heights area
• UB A Good Neighbor program engages students in clean up activities weekends (weather permitting)
• Actively engaged in University Heights Collaborative and in various Block Clubs and Neighborhood Watch groups.
Balance of Activities
Previous Efforts
Education
Reaction
En-gage-ment
Current Efforts
Education
Reaction
Engagement