The 2016 ITGA conference provides an opportunity for members and future members to learn from each other, share information and network with professionals who work in the unique field of town-gown relations. This year, we will convene on the Loyola University Chicago Lake Shore Campus, June 5-8. Pre-conference sessions begin Saturday and offer the opportunity for attendees to earn their Certificate in Town Gown Relations, Level I and II. You must pre-register for these professional development oppor-tunities. This year, there are walking tours on Sunday, four mobile sessions throughout the conference and more than 60 interactive presentations involving speakers from the United States, England and Canada. To see the conference program, click here. More information will be available soon about plenary speakers and how to pre-register for the mobile sessions. Normal registration rates are good thru April 15th. To register, click here.  

Cornell Chronicle by Susan Kelley

Cornell University, the city of Ithaca and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance announced March 31 that  the university will open a Cornell Store on the Ithaca Commons later this spring. The announcement was made as part of a Cornell-sponsored regional conference on town-gown economic development held in downtown Ithaca. "We are pleased about this win-win project for both commu-nity and campus. The Commons is a world-class destination, and a visible Cornell presence will enhance both downtown and our local economy," said Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick. The Regional Town-Gown Economic Conference at which the announcement was made, focused on the growing role of higher education for Northeast college-town economies. The topics dis-cussed included housing, infrastructure, business incubators, downtown challenges and opportunities and town-gown collaborations.  

WPSU Penn State, by Emily Reddy

WPSU is taking a look at how central Pennsylvanians decide whether to make their home here or move on, in our new series "Reasons to Stay." Peg Hambrick and her husband live in a lovely brick colonial on a corner lot in the Highlands neighborhood. The neighborhood borders downtown State College and just beyond that the Penn State campus. The students, paired with high real estate prices, can scare off would-be buyers. About 80 percent of the Highlands is rentals, and the mix of families and sometimes-rambunctious renters can cause friction. Hambrick is trying to bring these groups together, by focusing on one particular group-Fraternities. She and her husband are partnered with this fraternity as part of the "Neighbor to Neighbor" program. Hambrick helped start the program as one way to create connections between permanent residents and students. 

Tallahasse.com, by Ryan Dailey

Taylor Selbach, the FSU senior who heads up the local portion of the national college student day of service The Big Event as its director, got involved volunteering with the event as a freshman. "The concept of giving back to a community that gives so much to me really resonated with me," Selbach said of The Big Event. A concept born at Texas A&M 34 years ago, the day allows student volunteers to register to perform acts of service for community members in need in their "college towns." "We do yard work, visit Leon County Schools for school beautification and clean up, some people even go to retirement homes to interact with their residents," Selbach said. There are already 2,000 students enrolled from the Florida State, TCC and FAMU campuses to volunteer in this year's event. The largest  student-run day of service in the nation, this will be the Big Event's ninth year in Tallahassee. 

The Daily Targum, by Nikhilesh De

A new office off the College Avenue campus is dedicat-ed to helping off-campus students secure housing while staying protected from predatory practices. The Off-Campus Living & Community Partnerships, which was started last fall, just opened its new office in New Brunswick. The office will serve as a hub for students interested in living, or who already live off-campus, said Kerri Wilson, director of the office. "The office has three main areas of focus: The main is to assist students who live off famous or are looking to live off campus," she said. "The two other areas include working with our faith-based student organizations on campus and the multi-faith council, and also...facilitating opportunities for all students to get involved in community service." Off-campus students can visit the office for assistance, she said. The program caters to all members of Rutgers-New Brunswick. 

Temple University will crack down on underage drinking in off-campus housing, partly in response to concerns from neighbors who have long complained about rowdy behavior affecting their North Philadelphia community. "This can't go on any longer," Temple president Neil D. Theobald said. The new campaign, announced by Theo- bald on Tuesday, includes steep fines for underage drinkers and others violating alcohol-related laws. For the first time, Temple will levy fines of up to $1,500 on those who host nuisance parties, provide the alcohol, or have their name on the lease of a house where a party is held. Those students also could face suspension or expulsion. In addition, teams made up of largely graduate students will walk the neighborhood during peak times, from Thursday to Saturday evenings. A pilot team will begin patrolling this week,  said Stephanie Ives, dean of students. 

A growing and impressive group of professionals from campus communities across the globe continue to network and share strategies for improving town and gown relations. Join us on Twitter and LinkedIn.  

The ITGA strengthens town and gown partnerships by providing a network of professionals and resources, identifying and sharing leading practices, innovative solutions and professional development opportunities for municipal and university communities.