Western Michigan University President Edward Montgomery and Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell have signed an agreement formalizing WMU's collaboration in Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo, a bold new city initiative to reduce poverty and promote broadly shared prosperity in the city. The MOU, signed July 9, designates the University's Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations as primarily responsible for coordinating WMU's involvement in the initiative. According to the memorandum, the agreement "provides a unique opportunity for WMU faculty, students and staff to engage in community-based research, service and service learning in support of SPK, and to make Kalamazoo a national model of civic transformation." WMU News

The deadly San Marcos apartment fire is on students' minds as they get ready to return. While they're worried it could happen to them, some admit they don't think fire safety. San Marcos officials said the complex wasn't equipped with sprinklers because it was built before code required them. Officials are also investigating if alarms sounded at the Iconic Village Apartments. A number of Texas State University Students lived there, but it was an off- campus facility. University of Texas and Texas A&M said all of its on-campus facilities are equipped with sprinklers. University of Houston said only one of its on-campus housing option doesn't have sprinklers, and that could change soon. ABC Eyewitness News

Made possible through a Community Legacy grant from the State of Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development and matching grants from the University of Maryland and City of College Park, the City-University Partnership's Homeownership Program is part of an effort to reduce commutes, strengthen neighborhoods, and support our local economy. It provides $15,000 in forgivable loans, to full-time, benefits-eligible University and City employees to become homeowners in the City of College Park. In its third year, 15 homes were purchased through this program in FY' 18 resulting in 37 new residents, and 4 homes converted from former rental properties into owner-occupied. To see the full report, click here. College Park City University Partnership

When Mary Ellen Mazy was president of Bowling Green State University, she called the arts the front door of the university. Last week during the Ohio Town and Gown Summit, architect Patrick Hyland of the DLR Group, used a different expression: The arts were the "town-gown zipper." Hyland discussed four Ohio projects that exemplified the idea that arts facilities can bring schools and communities closer together. The success stories, Hyland said, were made possible by close collaboration of all those with a stake in the projects. Towns and colleges can join forces on these projects and build performing arts centers that neither alone could finance. BG Independent News

Manchester Metropolitan University/The Union MMU have been awarded the NUS Alcohol Impact accreditation. This reflects the institutions and students' union dedication and commitment to embedding social norms of responsible alcohol consumption and building healthier, safer and more productive student communities across campuses in the United Kingdom. Off Campus Student Affairs Officer, Manchester Student Homes, Poppy Humphrey commented, "We are delighted to have achieved success in this initiative for the second time, which reflects the breadth of work undertaken by MMU/The Union MMU and a wide range of stakeholders to support students on this important and complex issue." NUS Alcohol Impact

Less than a month before Kutztown University begins its fall semester, there is an abundance of unrented off-campus student housing in downtown Kutztown. At a recent Kutztown Borough Council meeting, Gabriel Khalife, Kutztown borough manager, sounded the alarm over the impact of declining student housing rentals and urged council to take the lead in transforming Kutztown's downtown from reliance on students to a broader economic base. As a preliminary step, the borough is applying for a Keystone Community Planning Grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development. Reading Eagle