(Published Sunday, September 16, 2007 12:21:20 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Carla McCann/Gazette Staff
WHITEWATER
It's not uncommon for Whitewater residents and the UW-Whitewater community to be at odds.
With no forum to settle differences, disagreements between the "townies" and students can brew.
But that's changed.
The university and city are working to enhance their relationship through monthly meetings and input from a 10-member campus/community liaison committee.
"Frequent communication between the city and university is very important," said City Manager Kevin Brunner. "The university is such an integral part of the larger community of Whitewater that we need to be working from the same page to solve any problems we may have together."
The partnership is designed to work on two fronts, said UW-Whitewater Interim Chancellor Richard Telfer.
Brunner and Telfer said the monthly meetings help city and university leaders find solutions and build bridges.
It's another opportunity to increase interaction within the community as a whole, Telfer said.
The committee will be charged with developing initiatives to bring the city and campus closer together, Brunner said.
"We (the city and campus) have a good relationship now, but we would like to make it better," Telfer said. "When you work with people you understand them better."
Students have contributed greatly to the well-being of the city and its surrounding areas through countless hours of community service and are helping build a strong community through campus organizations, Telfer said.
Many students helped organize and run the July 4 homecoming celebration. Many others spent hours picking up litter on downtown streets during Make a Difference Day. They volunteer at the Bethel House and in schools, Telfer said.
"The city changes in positive ways when students come in the fall," Telfer said. "There's more activity and excitement."
One of the university's goals is to show the positive energy students bring into the city, Telfer said.
"They do a tremendous amount of good," he said.
Every year, however, the actions of some students disrupt quiet neighborhoods, where they live in rental properties, city council Pres ident Marilyn Kienbaum said.
She recently was awakened by students next door, yelling at their dog in the middle of the night, Kienbaum said.
Not one to let the disruption ride, she put on her housecoat and walked next door to scold them, she said.
The problem was settled, Kienbaum said.
Some city residents also are concerned that students living in their neighborhoods fail to respect other people's property, Kienbaum said.
"Kids don't realize that many city residents have worked many years to buy their homes, and they don't want their neighborhoods trashed," Kienbaum said.
She is optimistic that the monthly discussions and work by the committee will prove beneficial to the well-being of the community.
"I hope it helps," Kienbaum said. "I wish they would have a meeting with the kids too. Sometimes, kids don't seem to realize that what they do now will follow them for years."
Most students, however, are looking for ways to make positive contributions to the community, Telfer said.
The committee's job isn't to focus on gripes but to find opportunities for building a stronger relationship, Telfer said.
"Our hope is that the committee will inspire others to work together for the benefit of the community as a whole," Telfer said.
