1. International Town-Gown Conference
Clemson, South Carolina
June 1-4, 2014
Back to the Future: Sharing a Unified Town-Gown Vision

2. ITGA (itgau.org)
The ITGA provides a network of resources to assist civic leaders , university officials, faculty, neighborhood residents and students to collaborate on common services, programs, academic research and citizen issues creating an improved quality of life for all residents, students, visitors, faculty and staff.
Mason provides for a joint membership to include the City of Fairfax and Braddock District.
Website includes blogs, archived newsletters and resources, which are open to the public.

3. 2014 Conference Overview 6 Keynote Speakers
Town-Gown Relationships
Alcohol and Drug Use Issues
Emergency Preparedness
42 breakout sessions (opportunity to attend 11)
The Art of Getting Students Downtown
University as a Core Connector
Best Practices in Nurturing Strong University-Local Government Relationships for Economic Development

4. Co-Existing is not the Strategy
Convene: Get together regularly; not just when there are issues
Collaborate: Joint strategy/planning/budgeting
Communicate: Ensure ongoing and regular communication between University and City; no surprises
Celebrate: Success breeds success
Keynote Jim Hunt
Amazing Cities
Obstacles to good town and gown relationships:
Student behavior
Neighborhood disruptions
Zoning ordinance issues/Code enforcement
Lower city revenues
Building blocks to good town and gown relationships:
It is not to co-exist!
If a problem occurs in the city, first question should be how the University can help.
Convening: Get together regularly; not just when there are issues
Collaborate: Joint strategy/planning/budgeting
Communicate: Ensure ongoing and regular communication between University and City; no surprises
Celebrate: Celebrate successes.
4/29/2019

5. Examples of Partnerships
University of North Dakota renovated an art museum/community center on the edge of campus to bring students and citizens together.
City of Pittsburg (KS) and Pittsburg State University combine resources for a $17M event facility.
Waterloo, Canada changed their zoning policy to allow for additional student housing
University of Maryland performing arts students have a requirement to put on free performances downtown.

6. Near Term Opportunities (2014-15)
Academic /Student Assistance
Mason Transportation Policy students conduct City traffic study/strategy for downtown and Rt. 50.
Communications
Develop Town-Gown Blog with university, city and county contributors
State of Students presentation by Student Government at Mason/Community Forum
Introduce university leaders at FCAB

7. Near Term Opportunities (Cont.)
Communications (Cont.)
Develop Social Media Campaign to support Welcome Back Kit program
Market Weekends at Mason website to event organizers
Economic/Workforce Development
Expand business relationships to include Mason Business Council, MEC, EDA and Chamber of Commerce
Seek community advertising opportunities to Mason

8. Near Term Opportunities (Cont.)
Event/Participation
Expand opportunities for elected officials/staff on campus (including Meet and Greet with Student Government, Basketball Night, CFA Night, judging opportunities)
Engage Mason representative in City Council/County Board meetings as appropriate

9. Long Term Opportunities
Academic/Student Assistance
City walking tours by student ambassadors
Streamline process for class engagement on external projects
Develop public performing and fine arts programs by Mason students for the community
Communications
Historical Marker Sign at the University regarding origins

10. Long Term Opportunities (Cont.)
Economic/Workforce Development
Expand City EDA funds for Mason Merchants program
Explore County EDA opportunity to fund Mason Merchants
Explore sponsorship opportunities with area businesses for Relax in Fairfax
Pipeline Internship program for surrounding municipalities
AV Adventures Program for Welcome Week
University input on local City/County development projects

11. Long Term Opportunities (Cont.)
Event/Participation
Adopt-a-Block Program in adjacent neighbors where off-campus students reside
Develop opportunity for City/County representative to welcome new students
Develop Braddock District/University student event

12. Wish List
Collaborative (financial and otherwise) partnership for a public project and or facilities
Create a Not-for-Profit Incubator
Create a Lab School at Green Acres
Improve University Bookstore and other university facilities access for the community
Co-brand local community tourism and prospective student advertising
Expand the downtown toward Mason

13. 2015 ITGA Conference George Washington University, May 31- June 3 2015
Cost: Registration is approximately $350 per person
Who should attend?
University Employees in the areas of Community Relations, Off Campus Student Programs and Services, Student Conduct
Student Leaders
Elected Officials and Staff
Police Personnel (university and municipalities)
Community Citizens Serving on Town-Gown Boards

14. Action Items/Discussion
Identify individuals responsible for town-gown relations (City, County, University), define roles, and communicate broadly.
Develop vision and goals to guide town-gown relations in both the City and the County.
Re-examine the MOU, mission and governance of FCAB.
Determine need for working sub-committees as it relates to progressing town-gown priorities (requires at least one FCAB liaison).