ITGA Feb. 24 webinar registration ongoing, journalist/panelist on challenges at hand
" College towns, declining enrollments: Challenges and Opportunities," is the focus of the next ITGA webinar, Monday, Feb 24, noon-1p.m. ET.
"Higher education finds itself in the outer band of a massive and slow-moving storm, threatened by years of financial strain, a downturn on the nation's birthrate, and growing skepticism about the price and value of a college degree. Colleges and communities that are planning for the demographic future in the next decade are not waiting to take action," wrote Eric Kelderman, left, in a recent Chronicle of Higher Education report.
Joining Kelderman on the webinar panel will be ITGA Board member and Athens, Ohio (home of Ohio University) Mayor Steve Patterson, Chicago Loop Alliance CEO Michael Edwards, and Otterbein University President John Comerford. To register, click here. To share webinar information with colleagues, click here.
Kelderman guested on Tuesday's edition of " All Things Equal," hosted by ITGA Board member Gary Stewart, Cornell University, who will moderate the webinar. Media interested in covering this timely discussion should contact Gary Stewart, or 607-227-5531.
2020 ITGA Conference Updates
The City of Boulder and the University of Colorado Boulder are excited to host the 2020 ITGA City & University Relations Conference, June 1-3. The conference provides opportunities for members and non-members to learn from each other, share peer-leading practices, network and build partnerships with professionals who work in the unique field of town-gown relations. The conference offers various professional development opportunities through the Certificate in Town Gown Relations and REAL Action: Advancing Racial Equity and Leadership in Town & Gown Relations workshops. Space is limited so register today. To learn more about the conference and networking opportunities, click here. We hope to see you in Boulder! Send conference questions to Susan@itga.org.
Crossing the Town-Gown Divide: Clemson Students to Profile City Neighborhoods in Course
On Jan. 24 at the front of the classroom in Brackett Hall, four year-round Clemson residents sat side-by-side and faced a group of about 20 Clemson University students. It was the first time many of the students had interacted with the people who call Clemson home. Before the students could grill the residents on what it was like to live in a college town, Clemson resident John Fulmer asked the students three questions: Do you feel welcomed by the city's residents? Do you have a car? Do you live off-campus? The Clemson residents, all involved in grassroots activism in some form, were attending a sociology class on "Community" to enlighten the students on what they would be studying the next four months. Greenville News
ITGA Student Engagement
Tenth in a series of representative collaborations
"More than 700 student volunteers participate in MLK, Jr. Day of Service." Learn more . "Students take modern twist on celebrating Dr. King's legacy." Learn more . "Students: The "Detroit Partnership is optimistic for upcoming DP Day." Learn more . "UO marketing students help local nonprofits in 24-hour 'CreateAthon." Learn more . Would you like student engagement from your community or campus highlighted in this space? Email Outreach@itga.org
FAU Receives Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement Classification
The Carnegie Foundation has announced that Florida Atlantic University is one of the 119 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification for 2020, an elective designation that includes institutional commitment to community engagement. The classification is awarded every five years following a process of self-study by each institution, which is then accessed by a national review committee. "I'm delighted that FAU's community engagement efforts were recognized by the Carnegie Foundation, which reaffirms the importance of our world-class educational and outreach programs and partnerships in enhancing our students' learning experiences, while promoting community development and economic prosperity," said FAU President John Kelly. Florida Atlantic University
Poppy Humphrey: the secrets off-campus living
For many working in higher education, we have daily interactions with students, but how much do we really understand the student experience, especially when it comes to living off campus? Such as understanding is vital to ensure that off-campus services offered by universities are shaped to meet the needs of our students. And so it was, with my suitcases packed, that I left the comfort of my own home to become a student again, living in a shared house 'on location' in Fallowfield, Manchester for a whole week! University Business
Join us on Social Media
A growing and impressive group of professionals from campus communities continue to network and share strategies for improving town-gown relations. Join us on  Twitter LinkedIn  and  Instagram .