November 6, 1998: Volume 44, Number 9

Union-Schenectady Plan Discussed; Meetings Set

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.

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