March 29, 11:00 am -1:00 pm (EST): Introductions and The History of Town & Gown Relations: From Conflict to Cooperation

This introductory module will put the so-called Town and Gown relationship into historical context, as colleges and universities have existed for hundreds of years and the communities where they located have often been developed within a “framework of resentment." As we look at the university-community relationship over time, we will focus on how groups like ITGA have moved the relationship from one of dealing with land-use and resident conflicts and “putting out fires” as thousands of students return to study each year, to a professional understanding of the complex social, cultural and economic forces of the relationship that take careful and constant planning and cooperation. 
Instructor: Michael Fox, Ph.D., Research professor in Community-Engaged Learning, Mount Allison University, New Brunswick, Canada

April 5, 11:00 am 1:00 pm (EST): Strategies for Developing Strong Local Government-University Relationships and Mutually Beneficial Economic Development

Universities and Colleges play a vital role in the success of the local economy within the communities where they reside. Studies indicate that investments by university communities to support local institutions of higher education pay dividends to surrounding city, village and county economies, especially during challenging times, such as ever increasing competition to attract new students and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. A key element for economic development success in college towns is open lines of communication between university/college leadership and administration and the local government leadership and department heads. The Government Relations module for the ITGA Certificate Program will explore various communication strategies and real-life examples of successful town-gown collaborations. 
Instructor: Steve Patterson, Ph.D., Mayor, City of Athens, Ohio, and ITGA president

April 12, 11:00 am 1:00 pm (EST): Town and Gown Advisory Boards

Developing and maintaining functional town-gown relationships is an effective way to problem solve. This module addresses communication strategies, proactive vs reactive approaches, current issues effecting higher ed and municipalities, and ways stakeholders can work collaboratively to enhance economic, social, and cultural impact through community engagement from the local to the global level. 
Instructor: Randall Edouard, Ed.D., Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Dean of Students, Binghamton University

April 19, 11:00 am-1:00 pm (EST): Off Campus Housing

Off-Campus housing plays an integral role in higher education as the majority of our students will live off campus during their time at the university. In this module, delegates will gain an understanding of how partnership and politics are major components of landlord relations, community cohesion, neighbourhood management and ultimately student life off campus. You will learn about educational programs effective in the UK and innovative strategies that universities use to reach the off-campus student population. This session will highlight UK’s accreditation system, moving from advertising to compliance and commercial success. We’ll explore the advantages of accreditation and how the aspects may be applied to any college town. 
Instructor: Cooper Healey, Manager, Manchester Student Homes, Manchester, United Kingdom

April 26, 11:00 am 1:00 pm (EST): Universities and Their Neighbours in a Time of Transition: A Case Study of Ulster University in Belfast

In September 2022, Ulster University in Belfast Northern Ireland relocated its campus operations in the Greater Belfast area from a  drive-to suburban campus, to a city centre location alongside some of the most economically and socially challenged districts. Belfast as a city is undergoing transformation as a result of violent conflict lasting decades.  The University’s relocation is part of that change, and the context throws up unusual challenges as a result of political contention. Until now, many students at the University lived 9 miles away from campus in private rented accommodation. The University has been managing student relationships with the local community for many years. The issues arising from this difficult relationship have resulted in widespread media attention and even a government task force.  This module will explore the opportunity University presents to economically challenged areas and building relationships in a complex environment - the University -Community Benefit Framework. 
Instructor: Duncan Morrow, Ph.D., Director of Community Engagement at Ulster University 

May 3, 11:00 am 1:00 pm (EST): Preventing Hangovers in Town Gown Relations: Creative, Effective Solutions to Reduce the Impact of High Risk Drinking in our Communities

Noise, litter, trash, crowds, vandalism, and shenanigans are among the top concerns in college and university towns. How can we come together and engage students, university staff, town partners and local residents to mitigate these incidents? Building relationships is key but our work must be grounded in effective prevention approaches to create trust and sustainable initiatives. This session will review campus and community-based approaches that get buy-in, are adaptable to various contexts, and keep the fun without the hangover.

Instructor: Sally Linowski, Ph.D., Lecturer, Health Promotion and Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Healthy and Health Sciences 

May 10, 11:00 am 1:00 pm (EST): Shared City, Shared Space: Creating a Community That is Vibrant, Inclusive and Prosperous

Ultimately, the economic and social success of any place is dependent upon a complex network of relationships among government, non-profit and private sector players.  As noted in prior sessions, key factors shape whether the whole can be greater than the sum of the parts: trust, communication and collaboration, along with an awareness of differences and how each party's assets and needs can complement each other. This module will review prior themes and look at how to achieve economic and social vibrancy at the micro level (diverse, welcoming and lively streets, parks, and public spaces) and the macro level (a diversified, inclusive and year-round economy), and the particular nuances in a town-gown context.

Instructor: Tim Tompkins, MBA, Adjunct Professor of Urban Planning at the Wagner School of Public Service, New York University