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