One of the central missions of Georgetown is nurturing an environment where faculty, staff, and students can contribute to the common good of the society. The most frequent focus of discussion in this regard is helping disadvantaged populations both inside and outside the US. However, in a real way, service to others has a more universal mandate.
Thus, when the notion of “service to others” has an unusual twist, it’s useful to remind ourselves of its relevance. In the past few days, Georgetown submitted for review by a DC government agency, the Zoning Commission, a proposed 20-year campus plan. In the DC context, a “campus plan,” is a comprehensive statement of intentions of the university regarding programs, enrollments, building development and use, community activities, campus residential facilities, athletic and other spectator activities, transportation to and from campus, and a variety of other activities. The commission that reviews these plans looks for coordination and assent of the neighborhoods surrounding the university campus. The commission must approve the plan going forward.
Over the prior decades, the discussions with the neighborhood representatives and the university officials led to repeated impasses and litigation. Through the enlightened leadership of the neighborhood groups and the active participation of university officials, the Georgetown Community Partnership was formed in 2012 in an attempt to do better – to build a cooperative approach at the next campus plan instead of a conflictual one. The success of this endeavor is obvious in that all relevant neighborhood commissions, as well as the university, have now approved the plan prior to its delivery to the commission for action.
In a real way, the plan is a manifestation of “service to others” because it codifies an institutional commitment to be a good neighbor. It involves an ongoing commitment to offer community events to the neighbors, both social and intellectual. That is, the university seeks to share its human resources with the neighborhood. It also has an ongoing commitment to the security and quality of life within the neighborhood:
- The coordination and funding of off-duty, University-paid DC police officers to patrol the neighborhoods surrounding campus during nighttime hours
- Continued implementation of the Student Neighborhood Assistance Program (“SNAP”), which permits the University to proactively address, and respond to, issues of student safety, student behavior, and street noise during nighttime weekend hours
- Late night transportation from the main campus to off-campus locations during nighttime weekend hours, to supplement nighttime neighborhood transportation options
- Regular litter and trash patrols throughout the West Georgetown and Burleith communities, in addition to bulk trash collection during student move-in and move-out
- Policies for on-campus and off-campus parties that encourage more on-campus social activity and address the impacts of off-campus student parties
- Continued efforts, in partnership with community leaders, to promote safe and legally compliant rental properties, “good neighbor” behavior from local landlords, and responsibility for property maintenance by student tenants
- Commitment to residential presence of University professional staff in the neighborhoods, to serve as liaisons between students and the community and provide educational and policy enforcement support
These commitments codify the behaviors of the University community, both staff and students. Together with a commitment to ongoing dialogue, we are building a positive, sustainable, supportive relationship between an institution and its neighborhood. Only through this can we serve those who share this part of Washington with us.
In short, one of the most important lasting legacies of the process of creating the new campus plan could be a greater shared understanding of the perspectives of the university among the neighbors and of the neighbors among the university. Serving others breeds an understanding of others, and that’s all good.
Great efforts. I’d suggest you check in on the Dept of Chikd and Adolescent Psychiatry’s programs supported by grant money to consult with DC. Schools and day care centers around very great mental health needs in a very underserved population. it is a great outreach to work with the community and a model program. All should check it out. It in in part funded by a large Marriot Foundation grant . Should make Alma Mater very proud. Great example of research and service as men and women for others. Child Psychiatry Head Dr Matt Biel is the founder of this program. He was recognized for his innovation as an Aspen Institute Fellow this year for his community out reach programs.
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Good description about Georgetown working
Congratulations to the entire team and all of the stakeholders who contributed to and completed this document. We should take great pride that the university is advancing new ideas in the context of the Campus Plan process in Washington, D.C. and thereby meaningfully innovating the practice of urban planning in cities around the world. In this sense, solving our own pragmatic problems becomes a vehicle to model enlightened practices for others to follow. This is how great cities are built.
Since I once again this semester have the privilege of having two “Seniors” audit/participate in one of my courses, I have renewed appreciation for the way the University makes this option available and so affordable to our neighbors who want to keep learning.
I find these women and men have much to offer in their contributions to discussion, as they do all the readings.
I consider this another university contribution to the neighborhood and vice versa.
Good description about Georgetown working with Georgetown. In summary I guess that good fences DONT ALWAYS make good neighbors! When people talk with each other sometimes good things happen. Maybe a good model and lesson for the many problems our country is facing.