A week after the College announced
the Union-Schenectady (US) Initiative, a broad-based plan to revitalize the neighborhood
west of campus, meetings have been held or scheduled for members of the local and campus
communities.
On Monday, College employees discussed the plan in some
detail with College administrators. Plans are to have information on the program at the
Employee Benefits Fair on Nov. 19.
A community meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, Nov.
12, at 7 p.m. in St. Anthony's Church Hall, 331 Seward Place. Refreshments will be
served. There will also be children's activities during the meeting.
The US Initiative includes a number of incentives for both
homeowners and College employees, including scholarships, special mortgage programs,
community outreach programs, the establishment of a neighborhood association, and the
relocation of Union's safety office to provide a secure presence in the neighborhood.
Key elements include:
— Scholarships covering the full cost of tuition for
eligible homeowners
— College acquisition of a number of properties to be
renovated and used for student housing and faculty residences
— Mortgage incentives for College employees
— A College-run community outreach program
“I am convinced that the outcome of these efforts
will truly result in a win-win for Union and Schenectady. Our interests are inextricably
linked – when Union benefits so does the City, and when the City benefits so does
Union,” President Roger Hull said at the announcement. “This initiative comes at
a time when the competition among quality liberal arts colleges has never been greater. If
we fail to act and ignore the issues around us, we are ultimately hurting our – and the
City's – future.”
For more information on the US Initiative, call Gretchel
Tyson, director of community outreach, at ext. 6609.