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2013 StudentAffairs.com Virtual Case Study

Samantha Hartman – Team LeaderKathryn LooftAmber SellersJorge Wellmann

Western Kentucky University

A number of issues are threatening the town-gown relationship of Sunnyvale University.

Social media has been wholly utilized to bring the issues to the forefront of the town and University communities.

Articles in the school and local newspapers Emails sent to students Discussion in the University Senate

The Mayor/Town Council & President/Board of Trustees of the school are focused on improving these difficulties, but need help on what direction to take.

They charge the Dean of Students to assemble a committee in the goal of formulating a plan of action in three weeks time.

Case Facts

The committee will consist of: Dean of Students Director of Residence Life Director of Student Activities Seasoned Staff Members Savvy Administrators Deputy Mayor

Town-Gown Steering Committee

1. University is buying townhomes in the community for class and housing expansion

2. Torn town-gown relationship Town not seeing Sunnyvale’s financial importance University not utilizing the town for student development

3. Sestercenntenial celebration under scrutiny4. Social media contributing to the declining town-gown

rapport

Key Issues Identified

1. Expanding the current town-gown committee to oversee the University expansion and including community members to ensure a balanced social equity.

Making sure displacement, gentrification, & studentification do not occur

Providing new job opportunities for community members Maintaining the current town atmosphere Using sustainable resources/products

Additional committee members: Office of Sustainability (University) Urban and Regional Planning (Town) University Attorney

2. Setting guidelines with Residence Life for off-campus housing and confirming expectations with outside sources.

Areas to consult with: Office of Judicial Affairs Town Police Department & University Police Department Community Members

Proactive & Positive Expansion Efforts

1. Get students involved with the community to further student development

Serving in the community when sanctioned for applicable policy violations

Volunteer opportunities provided by Office of Volunteerism Doing community walks with Campus Police

Scholarship Incentives Recipients are required to do 15 hours of volunteer work per

semester to maintain athletic, academic, or other performance based scholarships

Create competitive scholarship endowments with local business or organizations. The more a students volunteers at a specific place, the better their chances of winning a scholarship with that establishment.

Improving Town-Gown Relationship

2. Getting the community involved with the University Participating in Orientation Sessions Holding a Welcome Back Weekend

Town and businesses partnering with Office of Student Orientation

Involvement Fair where local businesses can showcase themselves

Decorating the town to get students excited “Door-knocker” program Hold town-gown galas to celebrate community and

University members that have a great impact on the town-gown relationship

Having community members work side-by-side with students during volunteer opportunities to initiate them getting to know each other better.

Improving Town-Gown Relationship

Benefits of a strong Town-Gown Relationship

1. Creating designated areas near the University campus for student functions and activities

Students, alumni, and community members will be permitted to partake in “party type” activities, such as alcohol consumption, tailgating, etc., during large campus-wide events

Areas will be regulated by members of the Office of Judicial Affairs, Local and University Police, and community members.

Local business will have the opportunity to provide weekly sponsored activities in an effort to advertise

Students and community members will be asked to follow the University and community code of conduct during these hectic celebrations

Celebrating the Sestercentennial

2. Creating a registration and assessment system Provides a rough estimate of how many students and alumni

will attend Town’s Traffic Agency can be contacted to create traffic

flow plans and routes Allows towns people and business enough time to prepare

Businesses can increase advertising and partnerships

3. Creating a Resource Guide for visitors This would include: University Code of Conduct, list of local

businesses, campus and community activities, and a chance for further advertising

The University’s Office of Public Relations would head this inititive.

Celebrating the Sestercentennial

1. Creating video PSAs with Mayor and University President showing support of the other

2. Establishing call lines or email addresses for community to voice concerns or issues

3. Generating Facebook pages/Twitter feeds for: Welcome Back Weekend – provide information and increase

excitement Town Council – voice opinions and ask questions Town-Gown Committee – voice opinions and ask questions Sestercenntennial – provide information and increase

excitement

4. Place inserts in newspapers to highlight different areas Student of the Week in town newspaper Business Highlights in University newspaper

Utilizing Social Media

Further expansion of the Town-Gown Committee would be necessary to continually maintain the efforts put in place

Additional members/departments proposed:1. Office of Volunteerism2. Office of Orientation3. Parking & Transportation Services4. Alumni Relations5. Office of Campus & Community Events6. Student Serving on Board of Regents7. SGA President/VP serving on Town Council/Town-Gown

Committee8. Town Council member serving on Board of Regents

Town-Gown Committee

Expansion Efforts Expansion of the university is inevitable. By combining the

opinions and efforts of the community with the school, the townspeople will feel a part of the process instead of feeling as if they are losing their homes.

Town-Gown Relationship By having students work side-by-side with townspeople (i.e.

community service) in the community they will not only gain respect and understanding but will also find a sense of entitlement for taking care of the community as well. This will ensure that being a part of the town is important to the students, who will then work to keep it a nicer environment for all who live there.

Evaluation of Course of Action

Assessment The University, community, and local businesses can quickly

receive feedback about how the town-gown relationship is managing by continuing to cooperate with each other throughout this effort. Business will be able to see the actual revenue gained from various events and the impact the students have on the town. Authorities will be able to manipulate various ordinances or systems to meet the needs of the town and students causing issues off-campus.

Sestercentennial With continual communication the University can work with

the community to improve the celebration each year and also keep the wishes of the community in mind.

Evaluation of Course of Action

Student Development Students who participate in the service-learning initiatives will

gain meaningful exposure to real world issues and have the opportunity to impact future collaborations between residents and students. They will also flow through the steps of Perry’s Theory of Intellectual and Ethical Development (see below).

Students can begin to see how their actions have direct consequences (when sanctioned) or how can have a meaningful impact on the community surrounding them.

Economic Impact Having local businesses get involved with the campus in so many

ways is sure to boost the local economy. Having students and community members work together on

service projects will not only give the town/organizations a nicer aesthetic, it will also show citizens the impact that students can have on the larger community in a positive manner.

Evaluation of Course of Action

"DNR and SPDC Team up to Give Students Real-world Experience." ANR Communications. Michigan State University, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http://anrcom.msu.edu/anrcom/news/item/dnr_and_spdc_team_up_to_give_students_real_world_experience>.

Eyler, Janet S., Dwight E. Giles, Jr., Christine M. Stenson, and Charlene J. Gray. "At A Glance: What We Know about the Effects of Service-learning on College Students, Faculty, Institutions and Communities, 1993-2000: Third Edition." Corporation for National Service (2001): n. pag. Web.

Fox, M.J. (2008.) “Near-Campus Student Housing and the Growth of the Town and Gown Movement in Canada”. TownGownWorldE-Journal. <http://www.towngownworld.com/home.htm>

Rauhe, Warren J. "School of Planning, Design & Construction." Small Towns Initiative. Michigan State University, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.

"Small Towns Initiative." School of Planning, Design & Construction. Michigan State University, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http://www.spdc.msu.edu/programs/landscape_architecture/small_towns_initiative>.

Smith, Darren (2005) "Studentification: a guide to opportunities, challenges, and practice." Universities UK Management Guidance.

Sungu-Eryilmaz, Yesim. Town-Gown Collaboration in Land Use and Development. Rep. Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://www.community-wealth.org/_pdfs/news/recent-articles/11-09/report-sungu-eryilmaz.pdf>.

"Town Gown Committee." Office of Off-Campus Community Relations. Appalachian State University, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http://offcampus.appstate.edu/pagesmith/65>.

"TownGown World-Definitions." TownGown World: Town and Gown University Communities. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. <http://www.towngownworld.com/towngownglossary.html>.

Resources