Modules

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.

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.

The way in which we work to support students and our off-campus communities has endless possibilities. Learn how other institutions/communities approach this important work effectively. We will share ways in which we have supported students, addressed community concerns and challenges and how we identified and prioritized those concerns.

Have you experienced conflict in your communities or on your campuses? Would it be useful to have a practical approach to addressing ideological tensions? The State College Borough and Penn State’s Outreach unit have partnered to foster civility through the application of Donna Hicks’s Dignity Model.

This interactive session will explore the role of dignity in navigating power dynamics, particularly within town-gown relationships, where imbalances often shape decision-making and community interactions. Through real-world examples, guided discussions, and engaging activities, participants will discuss dignity, reflect on personal experiences, and develop strategies for fostering mutual respect. Come ready to engage, share, and learn how small shifts in approach can transform conflict into connection.

This module will highlight how public safety agencies in both town and university public safety departments can collaborate on issues while strengthening town/gown partnerships. We will dive into the benefits of working together to deal with nuisance behavior complaints from the community, ways to impact positive student/resident’s relationships through innovative programing, and address student behavior on and off campus. We will examine how information sharing is no longer a nice to have, but a must for all involved. Additionally, we will look at ways in which you can build better relationships with the community and university by promoting public safety outreach partnerships and examine how a Walk for Light initiative can be used to promote safety, security, and trust. Come with questions and leave with strategies to try in your community that can help build stronger partnerships.