Andrew Hibel, HigherEdJobs: Ms. Griffo, you are the executive director for the International Town and Gown Association (ITGA)1. Would you briefly describe your role and what attracted you to this association?
Kim Griffo, Executive Director of the International Town and Gown Association: I am fortunate to serve and represent the mission and vision of ITGA to forward positive town-gown solutions in both urban and rural college town settings, nationally and internationally as well. What attracted me to this industry was the positive experiences and impacts I had as both growing up and working in a college town. And, I was fortunate to learn along the way and see the importance of the relationship to and from the city and university and how it spills over on and off the campus. I absolutely believe that college towns are the backbone of our country and serve as the engines for the whole messy vitality that drives college town economies. I experienced the challenges and saw the benefits to so many, so I made the leap and took this on.
Hibel: According to your website,1 “The ITGA strives to become the primary information resource point for common issues between institutions of higher learning and the communities in which they reside.” Would you describe some of the common issues?
Griffo: In the past they were typically the off-campus student issues – housing, code enforcement, neighborhood relations – which are still at the forefront of town-gown (t-g) relations. But, with the economy bearing down on cities and universities like never before, the areas of focus are now including: How is gown working with town so to speak in the areas of economic development, sustainability and public health; how the educational institutions and the medical service units are working together both on and off campus in the coordination of efforts and sharing of limited resources. More of everyone are coming to the table, including students, knowing they will have to compromise and collaborate. These relationships should drive the spirit of the college town, but they are not always perfect. I think the two toughest jobs in the country right now are the university president and mayor.
Hibel: The 2012 International Town and Gown Association Annual Conference2 is coming up in June. What are some of the main themes that will be addressed at the conference this year and why is it important to discuss these topics?
Griffo: The theme that Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) and the City of Richmond chose is “Partnerships for the Present and Future.” We are thrilled with the content from outstanding presenters focused on public/private partnerships, campus planning, neighborhood relations, sustainability (both social and environmental), emergency management services, regional economic development, governmental relations, the role of the arts in the relationships, and, my favorite, the student track, where students present their initiatives they have taken to lead within the campus communities and highlight what they accomplished for their “community footprint.”
Hibel: As noted in a recent article,3 in some cities there exists a “town-vs.-gown confrontation” where cities desperate for revenue pressure tax-exempt institutions such as universities for more money. However, these colleges argue that they already contribute through jobs, economic activity and community services. Do you think this type of town-vs.-gown confrontation is a common trend?
Griffo: It’s very much a common trend, and yes this is a hot topic across the country. Truly, the institutions are the anchors within college towns with several publishing economic impact studies which drill down to the college dollars that flow through the businesses, healthcare, tourism, sports, K-12 and all the entities that enjoy (including banks) the spillover to the town. But, when they grow, which comes with the growing pains, this does eliminate the tax base. Usually the hospitals grow as well, so the non-profits cut into the tax revenue, which creates a dilemma for the cities and towns. The studies I mention are eye-openers for cities and towns, and any time the discussions come up and they are within the college town setting, colleges should have the study available to the public at large and work with their chamber of commerce to get this information shared.
Hibel: Following up from the previous question, this pressure tactic has been referenced as “mandatory volunteerism.” How does this pressure impact the town and gown relationship and ultimately who is affected?
Griffo: Pressure tactic is the best way to describe this and this is the most volatile discussion/issue in a college town right now. The eds and meds grow and cut into the city tax base as non-profits. The cities often provide fire services and other services to the institutions. But when this issue first hits it is a jolt to the relationship, and a city, for example, just may decide to raise fire service fees, say from the average $250,000 per year to ‘How about $1 million for our services?’ It’s best if they both go into these discussions calmly. It can get heated and emotions run high, knowing they will compromise on the dollars. They both need to be reminded that ultimately the sting of this is felt by the student paying the tuition and spending dollars in their town. Every university should be prepared for these discussions.
Hibel: Changing gears to discuss the positives of the town and gown relationships, how can this relationship be successful for both sides? In other words, what are some tips to make it work?
Griffo: Communication is key along with professional courtesy. This tone is set for both from the top leadership down. The best t-g relationships are where you see the president and the mayor side by side at welcome events for students, state of the university or state of the community. Plus the presidents and the mayors need to support the troops that are doing the day-to-day work in serving in the community relations role. They need to meet routinely, show up when they don’t need anything, and have working joint university-city boards that provide the venue for the care and keeping of the town-gown relationship. The biggest mistake a university president can make is to run over a community. Cities don’t need to wait to be asked by the university to get involved on a project. The best town-gown relationships that I have found have students very much engaged with city leadership, internships and all. Students are a great resource for the cities to connect with; showing intentional interaction is key through all the layers of leadership.
Hibel: From the positive town and gown partnerships you have encountered, what are some of the benefits that each side can experience through a successful relationship?
Griffo: The high quality of learning and living economies generates successful energy that greets everyone on a daily basis and draws the community together at large. Students interact with neighbors and the level of respect and kindness is important, so it makes it much easier to address situations that arise. From the economic impact perspective, business and industry notice how the t-g relationship is treated. It retains and attracts business and industry to college towns and benefits the students and the workforce.
Hibel: What are your feelings on how community service or volunteerism is affected by a positive city and university relationship?
Griffo: If it is positive, the community service and volunteerism thrives. The students, faculty, staff and citizens actually enjoy and look forward to the work they do together and engage in making their community stronger as a whole. They all get to know each other, all from different backgrounds and ages, but they have that commonality that brings them together. It just becomes part of their life and a priority to get positive things accomplished.
Hibel: In the ITGA strategic plan,4 an initiative of the association is “to leverage the White House and U.S. Department of Education relationships to develop effective Town-Gown policies.” This is a two-part question: 1.) Currently, are there any town-gown policies supported by the White House? 2.) What type of future policies you would like to see implemented and supported?
Griffo: We have been happy to see that town-gown relations is on the White House radar and that there are visible efforts to forward entrepreneurship for students in college towns. This is where our economy will come roaring back, which shows they are getting the message about the benefits. We can’t keep saying ‘We have always done it this way.’ Policies have to change to allow universities and their host cities to partner on projects. There are still many barriers, both state and federal, that prevent joint pooling of resources/revenue. Some of these stifle innovation and impair the enterprising and global competitiveness. I had the pleasure of attending a meeting with Rosy Cloud at the White House this past fall to discuss workforce development and how college towns can and want to support our veterans. That is an area that is moving forward and I think we will see much more traction for the veterans.
Hibel: To close the interview, we like to ask a few questions related to careers. What is your favorite part of leading the International Town and Gown Association?
Griffo: Working with the members and the students on a daily basis and hearing about their challenges and successes, it is the best group of people to know. I am grateful for the privilege of knowing and learning with them. Town-gown relations is hard work, but the rewards are incredible. I encourage you to join this group at the conference at EKU and Richmond.
Hibel: What are your suggestions for where an individual who wants to make a difference in the town and gown relationship start on their campus?
Griffo: Start with the community relations office, off-campus housing office, governmental relations, or the service learning and civic engagement offices. Better yet, take the initiative and just go straight to city hall and meet with the mayor, city council or chamber of commerce which are great places to start. Don’t wait to be asked, just get out there and forge that relationship. They just might end up being the mayor or the president one day.
Hibel: Expanding further, what advice would you give to someone who may want to start a career in the area of civic and university relationships?
Griffo: Get involved within the community, explore some of the opportunities available, connect with the membership base of ITGA, and explore our Certificate Program in Town-Gown Relations. Also, please feel free to contact ITGA and we would be happy to coach an interested candidate.