|
Campus-Community Connections
The official newsletter of the International Town & Gown Association™ September 14, 2020
|
|
ITGA's Upcoming Courageous Conversation Webinar
|
|
This is a 2-part series: Sept 16 and Nov 11, noon-1:00pm (EDT). To register, click here.
"Now hear my point of view": College student experiences during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Join moderator Steve Patterson, Mayor, Athens, Ohio (home of Ohio University), and panelists (left to right) Demarcus Joiner, SGA president, The University of Alabama; Archana Chaudhary, Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom; Mason Zastrow, Iowa State University; Taylor Smith, University of Guelph, Canada; and Maggie Nedoma, Ohio University, for the next ITGA Courageous Conversation webinar.
University and college students across the U.S and beyond did not have the spring semester they expected, and the fall semester does not appear to be any better. While most campuses spent the summer planning for some semblance of face-to-face instruction, the increases in positive COVID-19 cases in college communities resulted in institutions reverting back to fully online instruction. Unfortunately, most of what is heard revolves around the financial and operational impacts on the institutions of higher education, but rarely do we hear from the students themselves.
From the loss of athletics to the loss of study abroad opportunities and extracurricular experiences, there is no doubt the coronavirus pandemic has changed the way students live and learn. This 2-part courageous conversation will highlight the voices of students. It will begin with a conversation about the students’ experiences from March to Fall semester. Near the end of fall semester, these students will continue their courageous conversations and provide insight into their experiences, challenges, and lessons learned. Submit inquiries to Beth@itga.org. Registration closes eob Tuesday, Sept 15.
|
|
ITGA is beginning a second series of focus groups to explore how COVID-19 is continuing to change and challenge higher education and the town-gown dynamics of communities. Focus groups will address a myriad of topics ranging from student issues to economic development. All perspectives are valued and any ITGA members interested in participating are asked to complete this form by Friday, Sept 18, at 12pm (EST). Focus groups will last 90 minutes and will take place over Zoom the week of Sept. 21. Findings from the focus groups will be shared widely throughout ITGA.
|
|
The Cities of Opportunity Learning Lab
|
|
Through ITGA's partnership with the National League of Cities, ITGA members are invited to participate in the Learning Lab, a peer-to-peer virtual forum for local leaders to work together to address the root causes of poor community health. The Cities of Opportunity Learning Lab will have their first welcome call later this month. If interested, please sign up here. The Learning Lab is open to NLC members and non-members alike. To learn more about NLC Cities of Opportunity, along with other ways to engage with the program, please find a one-pager here.
|
|
"It's Going Horribly": College Towns Fret About Census Count
|
|
Hundreds of thousands of U.S. college students who normally live off campus in non-university housing are being counted for the 2020 census at their parents' homes of other locations when they were supposed to be counted where they go to school. The confusion has enormous implications for college towns, which may face severe shortfalls in federal dollars and a dilution of political power. No easy solution has presented itself. The Census Bureau sought the help of college administrators in getting rosters for off-campus students who left town, but only half of the schools cooperated. Many universities were reluctant to participate because of privacy concerns and because off-campus students at many schools are not obligated to provide information about where they live. Associated Press
|
|
COVID-19's Impact on College Towns
|
|
"The Colleges that are Getting Reopening Right." Axios. "Big Ten Shutdown Impacting College Town Businesses." The Herald Bulletin. "Business Owners in College Towns are 'Trying to do Everything' they can to stay Afloat." Business Insider. "Pandemic Requires Partnerships Like Never Before." The Hill. "It's Been Painful:" Chapel Hill mayor on COVID-19's toll on College Towns." Yahoo Finance.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|