I first became involved with ITGA by attending the international conference in 2012 after looking for professional development opportunities as the newly appointed Director of Community Relations at Rutgers University. It was a great relief to find a group of professionals who were managing some of the same issues that we were hoping to address. One of the ways I find ITGA most valuable and unique is that it provides insights from both the university and the community on many levels. At any given conference you can talk with city council members, police officers, student liaisons, city planners, student affairs professionals, and university administrators, sometimes in one session. The varied perspectives really helps to provide a holistic view of opportunities and challenges when addressing town-gown concerns.

Throughout the years, I've attended numerous ITGA conferences, participated in webinars, volunteered on committees, and reached out to membership for advice and resources. We've implemented programs as a direct result of learning about them at ITGA, and avoided pitfalls by hearing cautionary tales form others' experiences. ITGA members have an instant network of colleagues across the country (and beyond) that they can call upon when needed. Whether you are from one of the largest public universities in the country, or a small private liberal arts college, ITGA is a proven valued resource.

Selesky is senior director in the Office of Community Affairs at Rutgers University. Do you have your own "power of ITGA" story to tell in 250 words or less? Send it to [email protected]

The City of San Marcos and Texas State University, along with ITGA, are in the spotlight in the February edition of the Texas Municipal League's Texas Town & City magazine. The local community and the ITGA collaborated in hosting the inaugural Texas Town & Gown Symposium. For more information on hosting a regional gathering, contact Lisa Dvorak, Community Liaison, at [email protected]. For the complete article, Texas Town & Gown, page 32. The one-day event provided a unique opportunity for networking between city stakeholders and decision makers in the higher education realm.

" College towns, declining enrollments: Challenges and Opportunities" is the focus of the next ITGA webinar, Monday, Feb 24, noon-1:00pm, 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 in a recent Chronicle of Higher Education report. Joining Kelderman on the webinar panel will be ITGA Board member and Athens, Ohio Mayor Steve Patterson, Chicago Loop Alliance CEO Michael Edwards, and Otterbein University President John Comerford. To register for the webinar, click here. ITGA Board member Gary Stewart, Cornell University, will moderate the Feb. 24 webinar. To read more on this important topic, click here.

Each year, ITGA recognizes members who work toward improving the quality of life in campus communities. This is an opportunity for town-gown professionals to receive recognition for their work at the annual ITGA City & University Relations Conference. Last year's recipients of the ITGA Presidential Excellence Award were Dr. Roger Kemp and Grinnell Education Partnership. Miami University and Oxford, Ohio received the 2019 Larry Abernathy award for their vision to be the Healthiest College Town in America. Call for nominations for the 2020 ITGA awards are open. Submit nominations on or before April 3. For questions, contact [email protected].

San Luis Obispo residents continue to see positive results from shared efforts by the city and Cal Poly to reduce neighborhood issues near the campus, including noise complaints and citations. Over the past 10 years, the city has experienced a steady decline of noise complaints, which have dropped by 52 percent, from 2,584 complaints in 2009 to low of 1,228 in 2019. Noise citations also dropped within the same time span, from a high of 263 in 2010 to 149 in 2019. San Luis Obispo City Manager Derek Johnson noted that the city's implementation of a party registration program, along with neighborhood outreach and enforcement, as core components in reducing neighborhood noise. Cal Poly News

"Community meets science at the College of Veterinary Medicine" Iowa State Daily. "MSU Ph.D. student finds passion connecting science with community." The State Daily. Would you like student engagement from your community of campus highlighted in this space? Email [email protected].

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 .