WELCOME TO THE TOWN AND GOWN ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO
We are dedicated to improving the quality of life in those municipalities that host post-secondary institutions by promoting and supporting activities that ensure cohesive communities that are safe, healthy, and enjoyable. Our members are Universities and Colleges, their host cities and towns, as well as student, neighbourhood, police and business organizations within and beyond Ontario. For more information on becoming a member, please dowload a membership form here.
UPDATES FROM THE ASSOCIATION
January, 2010
Thanks for your patience over the past few months as we revamped our website. Our site was almost completely destroyed due to a malicious attack, so we decided to turn this unfortunate incident into an opportunity to upgrade our site. TGAO.ca is now much easier for us to manage, so you can anticipate more frequent updates in the future. There are still some kinks to be worked out, be we anticipate being back in ship-shape condition early in the new year.
The next TGAO Annual Symposium will be held in the nation's capital - Ottawa, Ontario. The City of Ottawa will be working closely with Algonquin College to put together a fresh, and solid program for us to enjoy. An agenda will be finalized in February, but the theme of the symposium will be: "Town + Gown = Vibrant Community." The agenda will balance the challenges that exist in our communities with strategies to take advantage of the many positive opportunities students and post-secondary institutions bring to municipalities. You can also expect an update on the licensing of rental housing, work being done to improve the collection of Provincial Offences Act fines, and new approaches to land use planning aimed at creating more balanced near-campus neighbourhoods. For now, please block off May 17&18, and plan to join us in Ottawa. More details will be announced in the coming months.
At our last symposium attendees asked us to make strides in enhancing communication with members in between symposiums, particularly by providing more best practices and updates regarding legislative work being undertaken by the Board. To accomplish this goal we've engaged Carol Ford, a seasoned association manager, to administer those activities. Carol works with several of our partner associations, and will be a great asset as we work to take member engagement to the next level. You can expect more frequent updates to the website, regular electronic newsletters, and more best practices in the months to come.
TOWN AND GOWN ISSUES IN THE NEWS
CMHC offers financing assistance for student homes
January 26, 2010: CMHC recently announced a new financing scheme that will encourage the development of new housing for students. You can read the story here.
December 10, 2009: There have been many stories in the media of late, but here are two reports that detail the decision: newsdurhamregion.ca, and the National Post.
November 4, 2009: The City of London has begun moving forward with several land use planning strategies, which is part of their broader "Great Near Campus Neighbourhoods Strategy." A report in Western's student newspaper, The Gazette, highlights the issue. This report from city planning staff provides more background.
Summer, 2009: Our good friends at TownGown World have posted some interesting articles regarding the economic impact of universities and colleges, and the great opportunities these institutions present to their host municipalities. Check out the articles here.
*If you've seen an interesting news article that we've missed, please e-mail scourti@uwo.ca to make a recommendation.