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Featured College Town
Wheaton, IL
Wheaton College |
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 The Newsstand is being sent to you as an introduction to the International Town & Gown Association. Members of the ITGA receive this twice-weekly publication and a monthly news letter highlighting college town news from around the world. Membership opportunities are available at www.town-gown.net. |
Town & Gown Leadership
Mississippi Valley State to kick off new
'town and gown' initiative
ITTA BENA, MS - The Greenwood Commonwealth writes that Mississippi Valley State University will begin implementing a "town and gown" initiative of University President Donna Oliver. The initiative will be implemented with members of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce.
Oliver has announced that the university must incorporate the "public square" approach in order for the university and the communities it serves to be successful. "She told faculty and staff that "community engagement must remain a strong and essential part of the MVSU mission. We must create more partnerships within our communities for a university is a public square when it is integrated and interdependent with the community."
Oliver noted that a university has much to learn, as well as much to teach.
College Foundation to reinstate 'Town and Gown' GalaMIAMI, Okla. - The Joplin Globe writes that The Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Development Foundation plans to reinstate the "Town and Gown Gala", a longtime popular event after an 11-year absence. The 'Town and Gown' has been a long standing tradition at NEO. It is billed as NEO's way to say thank you to the community. The event is held to honor supporters and donors who have contributed financially to the college.
Mayor Elect Prioritizes Building Fort Lauderdale's Image as a College Town FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - The Sun Sentinel, writes from an interview with Mayor-elect Jack Seiler on Fort Lauderdale. Though the attention given the mayor of Fort Lauderdale exceeds the power of the job and he is only one of five commission votes,with the city's day-to-day operations handled by the city manager, the Mayor-elect has prioritized a number of goals he has for his term as Mayor. Seiler thinks the New River is the most underutilized asset in town, and said stimulating a vital river promenade area is essential for tourism and commerce. He cites the San Antonio Riverwalk model as one example Fort Lauderdale should emulate. He'd also like to see Fort Lauderdale build its image as a college town -- not for partying, but for education -- with the expansion of FAU and Broward College campuses downtown.
City Manger's Blog - Speaking on Successful Town-Gown Relations OBERLIN, OH - Eric Norenberg City Manager of Oberlin, OH writes in his City Managers Blog about the upcoming Ohio City/County Management Association Winter Conference in Columbus: The annual OCMA Conference will be held February 24-26. Norenberg says "During the conference I will be participating on a panel titled "Sustainability Initiatives at Work." I will review Oberlin's successful town-gown sustainability initiatives and other collaborative sustainability efforts. Later that day, I have initiated a town-gown dinner meeting of City Managers and staff from communities that host colleges and universities". | |
Parking and Transportation
Public Transportation Use for University of Utah
Students Stabilizes but Remains Above Projected Ridership Estimates
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - The Salt Lake Tribune reports that mass transit use for the University of Utah has stabilized with the decreased fuel costs but both on and off-campus ridership remains higher than expected. Twenty-five campus buses shuttle about 45,000 people a week. TRAX, the light-rail system used by commuting students peaked at 14,000 riders a day during the fall of 2008 when gas was $4.50 a gallon. The Deseret News adds that about one-third of the University students use TRAX to commute to campus. The $2.5 million campus shuttle cost and the state transit pass costs are partially funded through student transportation fees and parking permit fees. |
College Town Planning & Housing
EPA is Accepting Applications for the Annual Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is looking for communities that are committed to smart growth but lack the tools to implement their smart growth projects for its annual Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program (SGIA). The key focus areas for this year's projects are:climate change, green job development, corridor redevelopment,green building development, suburban retrofits, and disaster resilience. Other innovative ideas will also be considered. Three to five communities will be selected for the program. The objectives are to support communities and showcase regional examples of smart growth while identifying common barriers and opportunities. The selected communities will receive assistance from a team of national experts in policy analysis or public participatory processes. The deadline for applications is April 23, 2009. Visit http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia.htm for more information.
Housing Impacted by Economy PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Daily Pennsylvanian reports that the national economy is hitting home when college students are deciding where to live for college. Affecting many current and future college students, "the economic crisis has complicated decisions about where to live, forcing students to choose their future housing based on price tag rather than personal preference."
Because of these new concerns, a divide forms in college housing locations, deterring those without
sufficient means away from more luxurious off-campus apartments." College officials say "There is a tremendous amount of residential segregation on the basis of income," occurring with housing selection.
"College housing has turned into a microcosm, mimicking the residential segregation in society."
Students Pay Big for Beds
PHILADELPHIA, PA - According to The Temple News, housing for Temple and other Philadelphia students comes with a "lofty" price. Students may pay as much as $1270 per month for a one bedroom loft style apartment. Two bedrooms lofts run about $2000 per month with four bedrooms costing $2300.
University of Arkansas and Fayetteville Welcome Their First Purpose Built Off-Campus Student Community FAYETTEVILLE, AR. - Fayatteville and the University of Arkansas will be welcoming its first off-campus living alternative designed and managed specifically for students. PR Newswire, United Business Media writes that different than other local complexes, this residence is brand new, fully-furnished and leases individually by the bed to protect residents from rent and utility liability should a roommate not return. In addition, amenities and events are designed to create a sense of community that engages residents to participate, learn, and have fun. Community amenities include a clubhouse with WIFI and a game room, a 24-Hour fitness center, tanning beds, with outdoor amenities to include two basketball courts, a study garden, walking/jogging trails throughout the property, and two resort-style swimming pools. |
Economy and Budgets
Due to the Economy, Many Communities are Cutting Festivals
The Wall Street Journal, reports that lack of sponsors, decreased revenues and uncertain attendance have forced many communities to cancel or scale back community festivals and events. A concern of many event organizers is that once a festival's momentum is stopped it is ever more difficult to start back up and may disappear for good. | |
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Clemson, SC
The International Town & Gown Association is a non-profit organization that brings together leaders from college and university campuses and communities. Member representatives include Mayors, Elected Officials, City Administrators, Police Chiefs, Planners, University/College Presidents, Business Officers, Student Affairs Officers, Campus Planners, Student Housing Staff, Off-campus student staff, Parking & Transportation Officials, Students, Neighborhood Officials, Private Housing Developers, and many others sharing a unified town-gown vision. The ITGA acts as a communication, education, consulting and training resource for decision makers of colleges and college communities in areas of shared resources, programs, planning and project opportunities while addressing existing and potential conflicts.
Sincerely,
Chip Boyles
Executive Director |
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