On the Monday after the holiday well know for its green beer, about 50 people met to discuss all things alcohol. Manufacturers, retailers and those who regulate them and police their customers came together to discuss best practices and regulatory measures for the industry. The event was organized by the UMass Campus and Community Coalition alongside the Strategic Planning Initiative for Families and Youth (SPIFFY) Coalition. There's going to be debate in the Legislature among the constituent groups and I think hearing from everybody is going to be really helpful in really developing some common ground," said Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan. Daily Hampshire Gazette

The majority of students who come to The Ohio State University come from from suburban or rural backgrounds. Events like Friday's Off-Campus Living Expo try to teach them what it's like to live in an urban setting. Police say alertness and preparedness are key to minimizing the risk of becoming a victim of crime. Detective Cassandra Shaffer with OSU Police says any sound admitting device is a greater tool to deter criminals. Off Campus and Commuter Student Services gives out thousands of door and window alarms for free to Ohio State students for their homes every year, along with other helpful tips. NBC4i.com

The Pittsburg City Commission on Tuesday approved a request from Pittsburg State University for a five-year, $300,000 forgivable loan from the city's Revolving Loan Fund. The funds will go toward construction and infrastructure inside the first floor of the Commerce Building. Shawn Naccarato, Chief Strategy Officer for Pittsburg State, said the loan from the city will help PSU secure multiple new businesses that will be located inside Block22. Naccarato said the university has signed letters of intent with multiple businesses, but details of the agreement cannot yet be made public. Pittsburg State University

Registration is open for the 2018 ITGA City & University Relations Conference, hosted by The Ohio State University and City of Columbus, May 29-June 1. To see the conference schedule, featured speakers, workshops and networking opportunities, click here. Be sure to register before conference rates increase April 16th. Space is limited for Certificate workshops Level I and II. Register today and join us in COLUMB US.

It is now the norm that students are pressured to commit to housing, one of the most expensive and consequential decisions a student has to make, long in advance and sometimes only a matter of weeks after they've settled in for the fall semester. It is a growing source of anxiety for student renters, who are now speaking out against a practice they say is out of control. A group of students recently approached the City Council about this issue. Some students have suggested that Boulder take after another college town, Ann Arbor, Mich., where an Early Leasing Ordinance states that landlords can't show prospective tenants a property until 70 days after the start of that property's lease. Daily Camera

The City of Tampa and the University of South Florida signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday agreeing to work together to solve some of the city's biggest issues, including transportation. This MOU represents another collaboration between local government and a university to find innovative transportation solutions. And it is particularly significant for Tampa, as the city has struggled to attract new businesses and residences because of poor transit options coupled with an increase in traffic congestion on its highway. The Tampa Bay Business Journal reported that CUTR has 37 full-time researchers and 57 students focused on transportation innovation. Smart Cities Dive