Town Gown Advisory Board update

The Town Gown Advisory Board met for its first meeting of the 2018-2019 year on Oct. 24, recapping the events of the last academic year and generating new ideas for this academic year. We also congratulated the board and all of the sub-committees on a job well done to secure proposals that were approved and funded. Implementation is currently underway, and we have begun to brainstorm for the future.

A summary of approved and funded proposals submitted over the inaugural year includes:

Subcommittee for Promoting and Cultivating Positive Community Engagement (two proposals submitted)

Cry, Laugh, Create

The TGAB Executive Committee agreed with the goals of this proposal, approved it and will fund it for $25,000.

Subcommittee for Student Housing (one proposal submitted)

Seven Binghamton University interns to be trained by Binghamton City Code Enforcement

The TGAB Executive Committee agreed with the goals in this particular proposal, has approved it and will fund it for $20,000.

Subcommittee for Transportation and Parking (one proposal submitted)

North Side Transportation Needs Assessment

The TGAB Executive Committee agreed with the goals and objectives in this proposal but would like to engage in more discussion around the strategy. As a result, members of the Executive Committee will meet with George Homsy, assistant professor of public administration, and discuss the deliverables with regard to this proposal. Subject to agreeing with Homsy on a strategy, the Executive Committee is prepared to approve this proposal and fund it for up to $20,000.

Subcommittee for Dangerous Drinking/Underage Drinking (one proposal submitted)

Data-driven collaboration

The TGAB Executive Committee requested that the Binghamton Campus Community Coalition (BCCC) review and clarify this proposal. Subject to agreement with BCCC on an approach that aligns with BCCC’s charge, the Executive Committee is prepared to approve this proposal and fund it for up to $20,000.

Subcommittee for Safety (one proposal submitted)

Multifaceted approach to the safety of students off campus

The Executive Committee agreed that there is an overall need to improve safety for students as well as residents off campus. However, the Executive Committee of the TGAB would like these safety issues professionally assessed. As a result, we are approving funding for a public safety consultant or transportation expert to assess and provide recommendations of might possibly be done to improve overall safety off campus. The consultant will seek the input of the TGAB.