Global Risk Insights, by Patrick Wojahn

U.S. cities continue to reinvent themselves and demon-strate economic resiliency. While The University of Maryland-College Park (UMCP) has long had a reputa-tion as a high-class research institution, its status has had a limited impact on the community surrounding it.  With the evolving partnership between UMCP and the City of College Park, however, College Park is on the verge of becoming a hub for a new innovation in the Washington, DC area. College Park and other college towns like it, are well on their way to becoming centers of the regional and national innovation economy. A key part of this is the strong partnership that has been developed in recent years between UMCP and the City of College Park. This sea of change-opportunities for innovation, an increasingly vibrant downtown-will help establish the University-based culture that college towns are known for. 

CNW Newswire, by Staff Writers

Today, Ryerson University and Tangerine are announcing the launch of their new 'Thinkubator,' a unique business incubation space for Canadian start-ups. With a focus on digital workforce solutions and the fin-tech compan-ies, the ultimate goal of the Thinkubator is to foster innovative solutions to help Canadians live better lives. Housed on the second floor of Tangerine's Downtown Toronto Cafe, the Thinkubator provides valuable shared work space in addition to mentorship and support for participating companies. This support encourages the collaboration and innovation required for emerging start-ups to develop and grow to their full potential. "We're proud to be working with Ryerson University to build a new community of local entrepreneurs who will be behind some of Canada's latest innovations," says Brenda Rideout, Chief Strategy Officer at Tangerine."  

The Whig, by Paul Schliesmann

Six years after the tragic deaths of two students, Queens University continues to negotiate with its student organizations for control of discipline involving alcohol-fueled incidents, a move recommended by the regional coroner who investigated the cases. For about a century, non-academic discipline at Queen's has been in the hands of student governments, specifically today the Alma Mater Society and the Society of Graduate and Professional Students, which have both at different times opposed relinquishing their powers. Last May, a report written for Queen's by Harriet Lewis, the secretary and general counsel of New York University, laid blame for the delay in transferring disciplinary powers on student and alumni resistance, as well as administration's reluctance to confront both. Lewis warned of the "legal and repetitional risk arising from dangerous practices labelled as 'Queen's traditions,'"such a hazing and drinking rituals. 

National Post, by Tristen Hopper

Spooked by the spectre of 7,000 drunken university students flooding into the streets on St. Patrick's Day, Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont., has author-ized swift measures to purge the Irish-tinted celebration from its campus. St. Patrick's Day merchandise has been banned from the campus bookstore and vendors of green leprechaun hats have been turned away. Extra security will be posted to keep students out of campus buildings. And all building doors along the university's south and western edges will be locked to seal the campus off from neighbouring street parties. As university provost Deborah MacLatchy wrote in a message to staff, the measures are meant to "shift the culture" around Waterloo's ever-rowdier St. Patrick's Day. We're not going to suppress it; we need to contain and manage it," said Staff Sgt. Michael Haffner, a spokesman with Waterloo Regional Police.

Indiana Daily Student, by Laurel Demkovich 

About 50 people swapped T-shirts, dresses and even a pair of silver heels Wednesday afternoon at IU's Colos-sal Clothing Swap. The swap on the edge of Dunn Mea-dow was designed to keep those unworn clothes out of landfills. "Everyone needs to be responsible for their clothing's end life," said IU senior Macaira O'Connell, an organizer of the event. The group organized the swap as part of SustainIU week. SustainIU Week was organized by the Student Sustainability Council. This year's theme was "Sustainability in an Unequal World," focusing on diversity and environmental injustices. Throwing away clothes can cause textiles to be in landfills for more than 200 years before they biodegrade, according to fashion documentary "The True Cost." According to the film, the average American throws away 82 pounds of clothing waste each year. "It's better to swap," O'Connell said.    

Independent Mail, by Abe Hardesty

Passport to the Arts sheds light on local artists. The merger of town and gown is a noble goal at every college. At Clemson, it happens each March. Now in its sixth year, the Passport to the Arts is a unique attraction on the visual arts calendar, one that provides exposure to the school and the community. "People think of this area for its lakes and mountains, and the university, and sports," said Clemson University's Meredith McTigue,, "but the idea to create a destination for visual arts is a recent concept." The mission is exposure to local artists and art locales, and the Passport, which will feature food, music and art at four venues. The event puts the spotlight on 80 local artists, who will have about 200 works on display at a four-stop-tour. By late Wednesday, most of the 300 tickets were sold, said McTigue, marketing and public relations director for the Center of Visual Arts. 

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The ITGA strengthens town and gown partnerships by providing a network of professionals and resources, identifying and sharing leading practices, innovative solutions and professional development opportunities for municipal and university communities.