Sunnyvale University

1. Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community Studentaffairs.com Virtual Case Study Competition Robyn Jones, Reggie Strouble and Amy Vance (Team Leader) of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

2. Project Team Aloysius Vance Dean of Students Robyn Jones Deputy Mayor Reggie Strouble Director of Residence Life and Student Activities Objective To create a plan that benefits both Sunnyvale University and the town of Sunnyvale. This plan will strengthen the relationship between the student population and the year-round community. After several collaborative meetings, our committee has created a well-orchestrated plan that we will implement in three phases. We will launch our plan Fall 2013 and conclude Spring 2016. Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

3. Good morning Mr. Rector, members of the Board, President Bill, • distinguished guests and town representatives • Presentation Agenda • Benefits for both university and community • Projects to be included in our plan • Town-Gown Plan • Measurable outcomes • Assessment Plan • Questions Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

4. Benefits to Community • Enhance resources for social service programs • Improve neighborhood security • Increase quality of life • Increase property Values • Benefits to the University • Enhance learning experience of students • Improve campus security • Strengthen university mission • Increase accountability towards the community • Develop academic and volunteer activities for students, faculty, and staff • Attract future students Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

5. Our three year plan includes initiating the following projects: • Establish Town-Gown Committee • Publish “Survival” guide for students • Integrate service learning projects into curriculum • Launch annual “Sunny-day” on campus • Institute monthly speaker series featuring faculty members Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

6. Town-Gown Committee • Includes student, staff , faculty and community member representatives • Oversees all aspects of Town Gown Plan • Researchers external grant opportunities to help with funding • Creates measurable outcomes to assess results of plan • Meets on a bi-weekly basis to identify problems and challenges Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

7. “Survival” Guide for students • Instructsstudents on their responsibilities as community members • Addresses appropriate student behavior both on and off campus • Lists community resources such as businesses, churches, hospitals, law enforcements agencies, and non-profit organizations • Explains town codes that are applicable to students • Educates students on Sunnyvale history Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

8. Service Learning Project Initiative • Involves university initiatives designed to engage students in community learning and service activities as part of their regular coursework • Rewards students with grades • Provides faculty with opportunities to incorporate community outreach into their research • Givescommunity project approval rights Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

9. “Sunny-Day Challenge” • Focuseson community service • Identifies community members cleanup needs • Utilizes fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations • Providesthe university community to interact with their neighbors in a positive way. • Celebrates with community when cleanup is complete Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community 14

10. Monthly Speaker Series Featuring Faculty Members • Encourages presentations inspired by the local community • Bringscommunity members onto campus • Engages students, faculty, staff, and community members with discussions • Preserves Speaker Series by recording and allowing community viewing at university and public libraries Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

11. Phase I (Fall 2013 to Spring 2014) • Town Gown Climate Assessment to students, faculty, staff and community members • Fall 2013 - administer survey • Spring 2014 - analyze data • Establish a Sunnyvale Town Gown Relations Committee • Fall 2013 - secure committee member volunteers • Fall 2013 - hold first committee meeting • “Survival” guide • Fall 2013 - gather information for guide • Spring 2014 - create website to serve as portal for online version of guide • Launch marketing campaign including a presence via social media • Fall 2013 create a logo and tagline for campaign • Fall 2013 create posters/banners to display both on campus and within community • Fall 2013 create Facebook page, blog, Twitter and Foursquare accounts Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

12. Phase II (Fall 2014 to Spring 2016) • Speaker Series • Fall 2014 – secure faculty participants • Fall 2014 – launch lecture series • Service Learning Project • Fall 2014 – meet w/faculty members to discuss their needs • Fall 2014 – meet w/appropriate administrators to discuss necessary changes • Spring 2015 – meet with community members to discuss potential projects • “Survival” Guide • Fall 2014 – unveil community portal • Fall 2014 -- start to use guide in all first year and transfer orientations Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

13. Phase II (Continued) • Marketing Campaign • Fall 2014 – market Speaker Series • Spring 2015 – upload series of videos to Youtube that highlight Sunnyvale history, appropriate student behavior on and off campus, services, being a tenant/landlord • “Sunny-Day Challenge” • Fall 2015 – secure volunteers • Fall 2015 – coordinate logistics of “Sunny-Day” • Spring 2016 – first annual “Sunny-Day” takes place • Marketing Campaign • Fall 2015 – market “Sunny-Day Challenge” both on and off campus • Fall 2015 & Spring 2016 – continue to market speaker series Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

14. Phase III (Fall 2015 to Spring 2016) • “Survival” Guide • Fall 2015 – update guide • Speaker Series • Fall 2015 & Spring 2016 – continue with series • Service Learning Project • Fall 2015 -- incorporate service learning into curriculum • “Sunny-Day” Event • Fall 2015 – secure volunteers • Fall 2015 – coordinate logistics of “Sunny-Day” • Spring 2016 – first annual “Sunny-Day” takes place • Marketing Campaign • Fall 2015 – market “Sunny-Day” both on and off campus • Fall 2015 & Spring 2016 – continue to market speaker series • Spring 2016 – upload videos to YouTube that celebrate our success • Assessment • Conduct focus groups that will include students, faculty, staff, and community members • Survey Town Gown Committee Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

15. “Sunny-Day” • Post-Event • Survey • An example of an assessment tool that will be used to garner both quantitative and qualitative data. Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

16. Measurable Outcomes • Students, faculty, and staff members should be able to: • Articulate a greater understanding of service • Describe various community service opportunities • Discuss experiences working with the community • Community members should be able to: • Articulate positive aspects of the university • Describe various university-community events • Discuss experiences working with university members Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community 14

17. Closing the LOOP • At the conclusion of the three years, the town-gown committee will present an official report to the town representatives, university stakeholders, Board of Trustees, and President. • Report will also be a published document made available on the university website and other social media outlets. A physical copy will be available in the university and public libraries. • In order to close the loop additional recommendations for the improvement of town gown relations will be established based on town gown climate assessment results. These results will be used to create a strategic plan for the next three years. Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community 14

18. We conclude this presentation by asking for your assistance in strengthening the relationship between Sunnyvale University and the Sunnyvale community. Together we can change the culture of the institution so that it encompasses service and collaboration. But this cultural change can not be mandated. It must be inspired! At this time, we would like to answer any questions. Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community 14

19. “Our challenge within academia is to shift toward actively working with community leaders for our mutual benefit. The challenge for local communities and civic officials is to move toward seeing such institutions as critical engines of regional development. What is clear, of course, is that these twin paradigm shifts are a mirror image of each other. One can’t happen without the other.” – Former Northeastern University President Richard Freeland Sunnyvale University Town-Gown Relations: Where University meets Community

20. References ACPA. (1996) Principles of good practice for student affairs. Retrieved February 15, 2013 from http://www.acpa.nche.edu/pgp/ principle.htm Blake, J. (2007). “The crucial role of student affairs professionals in the learning process.” New Directions for Student Services, 117., 65-72. Boyte, H. C., & Kari, N. N. (1996). Building America: The democratic promise of public work. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. Bringle & Hatcher. “Implementing service learning in higher education” Edwards, B., & Marullo, S. (1999). Universities in troubled times—Institutional responses. American Behavioral Scientist, 42(5), 745-765. Hodges, R. A., & Dubb, S. (2012). The Road Half Travelled. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press. Holland, B. A. (2001). Characteristics of engaged institutions and sustainable partnerships, and effective strategies for change. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Jackson, M. L., & Cherrey, C. (2002) “Collaboration with the local community.” New Directions for Student Services, 99, 37-45. Martin, L. L., Smith, H., & Philips, W. (2005). Bridging ‘Town and Gown’ through innovative University-Community partnerships. The Innovation Journal: The Public Sector,10(2). Maurrasse, D. (2001) . Beyond the campus.: How colleges and universities form partnerships with their communities. New York: Routledge. Mayfield, L. (2001). Town and gown in America: Some historical and institutional issues of the engaged university. Education for Health, 14(2), 231-240. Mullendore, R. H. (2006). Putting Learning Reconsidered into practice. Learning Reconsidered 2: Implementing a Campus-Wide Focus on the Student Experience. Prins, E. (2005). Framing a conflict in a community-university partnership. Journal of Planning Education Research, 25, 57-74. Rooney, J. D. Town-Gown: A new meaning for a new economy. 18 14