The Unification of Sunnyvale University and its Neighboring CommunitesFlorida International UniversityChristopher Arguedas

Bianca GayAidyn Scott

Bryan Thomas

The Problem

The frayed relationship between Sunnyvale University and the neighboring community

0 As the institution grows it is gradually imposing on community property

0 More students = Housing Crunch0 Late-night student activities disrupt community0 Sestercentennial celebration concerns0 Articles and publications have made the problems public0 Failed attempts at having a conversation to find a solution

The Campus Community Engagement Initiative

The Campus Community Engagement Initiative (CCEI) was developed to unify the civic interests of Sunnyvale University faculty, staff and student body with local community organizations and activities. The purpose of these efforts are to foster a positive relationship between university students and the members of the surrounding campus communities. We plan to organize activities designed to heighten the visibility of these campus outreach initiatives and utilize social media in order to achive our purpose.

The Solution

Community Partners:Mayor’s Office, Town Council,

local community leaders, community agencies

A comfortable and cooperative living space for

everyone

Campus Partners: Housing and Residential Life,

Office of Student Activities, Student Conduct, Greek Life, Divison of Student Affairs

CCEI: Areas of Focus

0 There are five areas of focus within CCEI: Housing and Residential Living, Community Outreach, Educational Programming, Civic Engagement, and Social Media.

0 Each focus within this initiative will work interdependantly to forge a more collaborative and supportive relationship between Sunnyvale campus and the surrounding community.

Community Outreach

Housing and Residential

Life

Educational Programming

Civic Engagement

Social Media

Housing and Residential Life

Tenant Union0 Provides free service to students to aid with:

finding apartments and alternatives, connecting them with landlords and tenant-landlord conflict resolution

0 Creates educational programming for residents and non-residents

Civic Engagement Living Learning Community0 Residents focus on volunteerism, service

learning and community involvement

Expansion of housing complexes0 Proposal to build more available housing on

campus to alleviate the issues concerning the lack of space for students

This focus area brings together the Sunnyvale’s Office of Residence Life

and local housing business to tend to the issues regarding difficulties with

housing

Campus Educational Programming

“Sunnyvale Late Nights” Campus Life and student organizations will sponsored several late night themed events on fridays and saturdays to promote students staying or returning to campus (free food provided). Events will have educational component such as “Mocktails- teaching responsible party going”

Student Conduct will work with the local police dept. to utilize sanctions involving community service when students disabey the student code (especialy with it has to do with disturbance in the neighboring community)

This focus area will encourage offices from the Division of student affairs to work closely with local organizations to educate students on the pressing

issues surrounding the community and inform them of the dual role they play as students and as community members.

Campus Educational Programming Cont.

Alcohol Awareness Week is 5 continuous days of programming sponsored by various campus organizations to educate students about alcoholawareness and responsible drinking. Can include but not limited to "drunk driving" obstacle course with drunk goggles and golf carts, organization fair, lectures, alternative events (water pong, concert, etc.),

“Lunch n’ Learn” is a daily informational and social session lead by community or university leaders on current topics concerning the community. It is open to everyone during the lunch hour and free food will be provided.

Community Outreach and Civic Engagement

“Bi-weekly CCIE Town meetings/forums “ will bring together local organizations and agencies, student

organizations and interested departments to discuss issues concerning Sunnyvale University and the surrounding

community

“Steal the Shine”: Sunnyvale’s annual week-long event promoting

community outreach (involving student affairs departments and local

organizations)

Civic Engagement Symposium will highlight the progress of the projects completed through the Community Outreach and Civic

Engagement Initiatives

This focus area is meant to encourage students to be involved in the community and invite community members to be apart of our

campus

“Steal The Shine” Week Programming

"Sunny De-Light"A Community-wide Clean up and Gardening project. This will include painting homes, planting trees and building parks.

"Share The Light" Students, staff and community members will collaborate to build a park in the community. This park will be a place where everyone can have a commonground to utilize.

“Chasing the Sun” a community 5k run to raise money in order to

build the park mentioned in the “Share the Light” event

"Light The Sky" Kick-Ball GameThis tournament will consist of

members from the community and university students and staff to participate in a recreational event to build unity

“Sunday Showcase”University students will collaborate with highschool/ elementary school students

to create a showcase of their talents. We will encourage dance teams, poetry/writing

collaboration, acting monologues as well as other interests. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority affairs will create a step routine with greeks from different councils .

“Steal The Shine” Week Programming

Social Media All of the following social media outlets will be utlilzed to advertise our

intiative and encourage students and community members to be involved.

0 CCEI Website: hub for updates on projects

0 Instagram: regular picture postings from community outreach events

0 Twitter:updates from local leaders

0 Facebook Group: for programming updates

0 “The Real World SunnyVale” Documentary Series 0 Tumblr: allows documentary series participants to document their

journey and share their findings

Therealworld_sunny@tumblr.com

@Giving2Sunny

@Giveback2Sunny

“The Real World Sunnyvale”

"The Real World:SunnyVale“ is a Student Documentary Series that was created to help break down the barriers amongst the community and students at the university. This series will be aired twice a month displaying the students different perspectives on this troublesome relationship. These students will also have the oppurtunity to be active through several areas of our CCEI initiative.

Click here

From Theory to PracticePerry's Theory of Intellectual and Moral Development Questions to consider in case study that align with Perry’s Theory:What is perceived? It is apparent that many students have a negative perception of the

surrounding community. They don’t give credit to the community’s opinions which is necessary if we want to institute positive change. Furthermore, they have a negative perception of the way in which they are viewed by the community and its members. If student perceptions can be changed (and community members as well), a more give and take relationship can be formed between the community and the University.

How what is perceived is organized? If we as a committee can re-organize or reframe negative student perceptions on the community, students’ behavior might improve. Ways in which we can reframe their negative opinions of the community: through community outreach and community service, educational programming, student programming within the community, our ‘Real World’ reality tv show/documentary as well as our tumblr idea.

How what is perceived is evaluated? Surveys can be used in an effort to gain a better understanding of how students as well as community members are feeling and thinking about their relationship to the University.

References

0Evans, N., et al.(2010). Student Development in College: Theory Research and Practice. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Boss.

0 Joseph Turow, Media Today: An Introduction to Mass Media