Later this afternoon, the student and permanent residents of Ball State’s near-campus neighborhoods will return home to find a special hanger on their respective front doors. These door hangers include useful information from BSU, the City of Muncie and the University Area Landlord Association that addresses critically important safety challenges, parking issues, city ordinances and landlord expectations.
The Campus and Community Coalition, with generous support from the local Community Foundation, developed the door hangers, consistent with our mission to promote peaceful and civil relationships which contribute to the quality of life in Muncie and improve relationships between permanent residents and students regarding issues important to all residents. Reflecting a dual commitment to education and enforcement, the coalition involves the city, the university and the community, and it includes representatives from city government (mayor, building commissioner, city attorney and city council member), the Muncie school corporation, local restaurants and taverns, landlords, neighborhood associations and BSU students, faculty and administrators.
Over the past few years, several different columns and editorials have addressed the challenges faced by the city and the university as we collectively work to improve the quality of life in our near-campus neighborhoods. Many of those challenges are outcomes of irresponsible use of alcohol including loud noise, vandalism and property damage, parking congestion, excessive trash and increased criminal behavior. We applaud the efforts of our media colleagues to encourage a broader conversation about town and gown relationships grounded in responsible action, mutual trust and respect for all.
Since 2001, the Campus and Community Coalition has worked closely with local law enforcement, restaurant and bar owners in the Village and residents of near-campus neighborhoods. The coalition’s efforts have been modeled after nationally cutting-edge examples in other college communities — such as the University of Vermont in Burlington, the University of Delaware in Newark and the University of Iowa in Iowa City. With a vision to facilitate communication among the university, the city and the neighborhoods to promote a safer and healthier community, the coalition has utilized the themes of shared planning, student involvement, education and enforcement to identify two primary goals: (1) to foster cooperation between BSU, the city and the community; and (2) to create mechanisms for city government, the university and the near-campus neighborhoods to jointly address planning and quality-of-life issues.
The door hanger initiative is a powerful and visible example of coalition efforts to address both of these goals in a positive way. Muncie and Ball State share a common commitment to the health, safety and security of all of our citizens, whether permanent residents or student renters. The goals of the Campus and Community Coalition reflect our collective commitment to improve the quality of life for all members of our community.
Randy Hyman, Chair
Campus and Community Coalition and
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
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