Best Practice
TownGown World will highlight communities who develop "best practices". While innovative programs will be the main focus, community organizations who have also effectively organized as a near campus "voice" will be highlighted. Have a program you would like to share? Contact the editor at editor@towngownworld.com |
The 55% Initiative – An Effort to Encourage More NH College Grads to Work, Play and Stay in NH
TownGown World Article
By: Matt Cookson, Associate Vice Chancellor
University System of New Hampshire
Mar 2008, USA
New Hampshire is a great state in which to live. Yet, we face a looming crisis. The state’s population is the sixth oldest nationally and many baby boomers are close to retirement. Employers are having trouble finding skilled workers, and college graduates are leaving the state at too high a rate to meet current, let alone, future, employment needs.
Just over 50 percent of the nearly 15,000 college students who earn degrees each year leave NH, including two-thirds of those who earn a bachelor’s degree. This represents a huge loss of intellectual capital and their departure darkens the overall employment outlook and hinders the state’s growth. The 55% Initiative sets a goal of convincing 55% of new graduates to “work, play, and stay” here.
The University System of New Hampshire has been partnering with business, professional and community leaders, policy makers, and higher education to develop this new initiative. Log on to www.usnh.unh.edu/initiatives/55.shtml to learn more about the 55% Initiative, join a blog discussion. Or follow the links to learn how to send in your company or organization’s logo to show your support.(Go to Article)
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UNC and Chapel Hill: Partners for life
By Linda Convissor
University of North Carolina
Feb, 2008 USA
Many people call Chapel Hill the quintessential college town. With a downtown that is the University’s front door, Chapel Hill shares a nearly seamless connection with UNC, marked only by a low stone wall that lines McCorkle Place, the historic campus quad.
In 2004, the University recognized its commitment to downtown in a formal way, becoming a founding partner of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership. The Partnership is made up of the Town of Chapel Hill, the University and the business and property owners. All three groups fund the Partnership and appoint members to sit on the board.
Still young organizationally, the Partnership is beginning to see results. Cleanliness, parking and safety were three early concerns of merchants. In response, the Town has upped its police presence and hired a downtown groundskeeper. The University offered one of its parking lots for a very successful valet parking service for nighttime diners. With some of the basic issues under control, the Partnership is beginning to tackle the business mix, marketing and promotions and the physical appearance of the public and private spaces. (Go to Article) |
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Best Practice Community Organizations |
The Nottingham Action Group on HMO'S (UK)
Nottingham UK (Major HEI'S : University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University. Combined enrolment approx. 50,000)
April 2008
The Nottingham Action Group (NAG) formally came into being Feb 2004. Our diverse membership consists of established residents living in neighbourhoods in eight City and adjacent District Council Wards. We represent residents’ interests on the City Council’s Student Strategy Leadership Group and its Student Co-ordination and Delivery Group. Nationally, we work closely with our local Members of Parliament and, of course, with the National HMO Lobby in order to try and effect changes to housing, planning and fiscal legislation which will lead to neighbourhoods that are balanced, cohesive and above all sustainable.
We have taken part in radio and TV programmes, lobbied relevant Ministers, attended the Parliamentary launch of the UUK publication on Students and the Community, contributed to the research work by Dr. Darren Smith, and have presented talks and posters at a number of national conferences and meetings. (Go to website)
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Leeds HMO Lobby (UK)
Leeds, UK (Major HEI'S : University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University. Combined Enrolment, approx. 60,000)
Dr. Richard Tyler : President
Feb 2008
(Go to Best Practice article) |
Ainslie Wood/Westdale Community Association of Resident Homeowners Inc. (CAN)
Hamilton, Ontario, CAN (Major HEI : McMaster University, enrolment 22,000)
John Wigle : President
Jan 2008
(Go to Best Practice article) |
The Arbor District (USA)
Carbondale, Illinois 62901, USA (Major HEI : Southern Illinois University. Enrolment, 25,000)
Sandy Litecki : President
Dec 2007
(Go to Best Practice Article)
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National Award for Smart Growth Achievement: Colleges and Universities/College Towns category.
Feb, 2008 USA
This year's National Award for Smart Growth Achievement includes a category for colleges and universities, medical/resarch institutions and partnerships with college/university towns.
Colleges, universities, and medical research institutions across the country are growing, and many of them seek to accommodate this growth in and around their existing campuses or districts. This situation creates unique challenges and significant opportunities for both the institution and the surrounding community. Ensuring that growth and expansion benefit both the institution and community is the desirable outcome for all stakeholders. This category recognizes exemplary
projects initiated by educational or medical institutions or in collaboration with the surrounding community. Examples should be built or nearly completed projects that accommodate institutional growth on and off campus (projects where an initial phase of a multi-phase project is built or nearly completed will be considered). Entries must show how the project serves the mission of the institution(s) and supports improved environmental, economic, and community outcomes in the adjacent community.
The deadline of applications is April 7th.
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/awards.htm
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New in 2008!
Best Practice : Neighbourhood Community Organizations
In 2008,Towngown World will highlight Best Practice Neighbourhood Organizations. The criteria used for selection to this listing include organizations that; A. have an active website B. Have a formal organizational structure C. Work on leveraging the positive aspects of living near a Higher educational institution as well as working to minimize the negative impacts. D. are seen as a credible voice for the community (i.e asked to participate in joint meetings etc. with HEI's and host cities). E. Are endorsed by city officials.
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Yale University
Contributing to a Strong New Haven
by Shana Noelle Schneider
Jan, 2008, USA
Over the past 15 years, Yale University has worked closely with the City and the community to create a vibrant and growing New Haven. Yale institutionalized its commitment to the city’s future by creating the office of New Haven and state affairs, Yale has focused their community building efforts on fostering economic development, creating a vital downtown, strengthening neighborhoods, supporting public education and communicating New Haven’s renaissance. (Go to Article) |
Measuring the Effectiveness of Neighbourhood Relations Efforts
Mary Somers, Dalhousie University, CAN
Dec 2007
How do universities know where they are going, if they do not know where they have been? That’s a question Dalhousie University asked ourselves about our community neighbourhood relations efforts.
We have undertaken many initiatves aimed at mending fences with our nearby residential neighbours. Have they worked ? The simple answer: yes - and the university has hard data to prove it, thanks to door-to-door surveys carried out by students hired for this task in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Universities should not be afraid to survey their neighbours. Students report that 99 per cent of neighbours were polite to them. Many neighbours thanked the university for asking their opinion and were genuinely pleased that someone cared. Measuring the progress of your community relations efforts is a cost efficient effort that focuses us on "where we are going" by knowing where we have been.(Go to Article)
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St. Lawrence University’s Canton Initiative and Coming Home Projects
Models for Sustainable Community Development
Tom Coakley, St.Lawrence University
USA, Dec 2007
A different kind of local economic development strategy has emerged at St. Lawrence University in the village of Canton, New York, USA that is based on growing the number of households in the immediate Canton area. The Coming Home Project is recruiting 100 alumni, parents and friends to return to Canton and a defined surrounding area, building or causing to be built $10,000,000 in new homes or home improvements, with all of its positive impact on the local property tax base. (Go To Article) |
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