Town and Gown Committee

Town and Gown Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 12, 2019 Community Development Conference Room, 5th Floor City Hall MINUTES I. Call to Order – Chair Tripp called the meeting to order at 12:15pm II. Roll Call Present: Ann Bane, Steve Bond, Mark Crump, Beth Dickens, Mary Fugere, Kellie Goral, Anzell Harrell, Rodenna Kirksey, Steve Lynch, Dr. Richard Mason, Robin McCormick, Bob McKenna, Jordan McKinney, Nakia Peek, Pamela Richardson (12:30pm), Darren Robinson, and Raymond Tripp Absent: Dr. Charrita Danley, Novelle Dickenson, Evelyn Graham, Eric Harrell, Valencia Huggins, Tom Hunnicutt, MPO Dan Mackey, Steve Mallon, Dr. Jeffery Smith, Bill Thomas, Donnie Tuck, and Toni Williams III. Introductions – Committee members introduced themselves for the benefit of new member Beth Dickens, Academic Coordinator at Thomas Nelson Community College IV. Approve February 12, 2019 Meeting Minutes – Steve Bond motioned, Bob seconded, and the minutes were approved unanimously as presented V. Strategic Direction Subcommittees Goals & Objectives Update Communication/Community Education – Mary summarized the action items in the March 5th meeting notes as follows: * build a point of contact directory, for committee use only, to be used for a FAQ’s sheet with building use procedures, social media handles, peachjar.com/flyer distribution, athletics/ticket sales, etc. * survey Town & Gown Committee to determine what each representative does with information gained at monthly meetings * each organization should add the Town & Gown Committee page link to their website * identify appropriate opportunities for committee participation * flyers shared at Town & Gown Committee meetings should be posted on website * tag events as appropriate - “if you see it, share it!” Economic Development/Student Retention – Steve Lynch advised the subcommittee engaged 25-30 Hampton University students for their feedback with the following results: *most students are from larger metropolitan areas and consider Hampton a small city *City of Hampton is not as effective at communicating as previously assumed *students only communicate via electronic methods *they don’t feel welcome at community businesses; they’ve experienced “micro-aggression” *most students do their shopping online due to lack of desirable businesses in Hampton or on the Peninsula *the arts community is not as prolific as they are accustomed to; Hampton is not as “lively” as they would like; they would like more vitality in the area  *they would like to see as much “future” as they do “history”, they aren’t able to appreciate what they don’t know about the area *students would like to be embraced by and involved in the community *they are required to do internships as part of their collegiate programs and would like more readily available information about internships available Steve advised the following two initiatives arose from the information garnered: 1) Compile a directory of Hampton businesses that offer internships prior to the 2020 school year, to be made available at freshman orientation 2) Improve communications with students; suggestions made by committee members include initiating intern fairs on campus, communicating intern opportunities via faculty institutes, participate in fall and spring job fairs on campus; Darren offered to cater a Hampton 101 session to freshmen students; Steve Bond recommended students attend Diversity College sessions for credit; Kellie suggested student discounts for various events VI. Key Updates Since the February 12, 2019 Town & Gown Committee Meeting Steve Lynch advised a YMCA will be established at the former Sentara Healthcare facility which will hold a soft opening April 1 – confidential until publicly announced Bob announced the 2019 Youth Career Expo being held Thursday, March 21 from 8a-2p at the Hampton Roads Convention Center; the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will restart the Young Professionals Organization for college seniors and rising seniors with a kick off meeting next week Rodenna distributed a flyer announcing the Thomas Nelson’s Women’s Conference “Empower YOU: Your Opportunities Unlimited Women’s Conference” in Thomas Nelson Wythe Hall, Saturday, March 6 with registration beginning at 8:15am and conference 9a- 2p; Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet will be performed April 5-7 and 12-14 in the Mary T. Christian Auditorium; she distributed a flyer announcing Intelligent Lives Screening & Community Conversation on Wednesday, April 17 with an opening reception at 545p and film screening at 630p in the Marty T Christian Auditorium Beth announced Open House 2019 will be held April 18 from 1-4p in the Mary T. Christian Auditorium at the Hampton Campus and April 4 from 1-4p at the Historic Triangle Campus Pamela thanked the committee members for the sympathy card in honor of her mother’s passing; women’s basketball and lacrosse games continue Mark volunteered for the student retention subcommittee; he will also arrange and offer an internship for his State Farm agency as well as reach out to the other Hampton State Farm agencies and encourage them to do the same Anzell announced the women’s basketball team will play in the Big South Quarterfinals in High Point, NC Thursday, March 14 at 8pm; the 2019 Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute Gala of Hope will begin at 6p Saturday, April 6 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center; student leadership students are gearing up for 2019 volunteer service opportunities; more than 4,000 students are expected to attend High School Day on April 5; student admittance day was attended by more than 3,000 students and parents on February 23rd where in excess of 1,200 advanced deposits were collected  Jordan advised Student Government Association members attended Advocacy Day February 27th; 2019 Black Family Conference (sponsored by HU School of Nursing) will be held April 13-15; he inquired when the Monroe Gates apartments on Mallory Street will be available – Steve L. advised they will be available prior to the 2020 school year Steve Bond advised of the final budget citizen input meeting being held at 630p tonight at Hampton High School Darren distributed a flyer for Habitat for Humanity Hampton Home Repair Blitz being held Saturday, May 4 in Old North Hampton, still seeking volunteers and team leaders **Brenda will distribute the flyer via email to the Town & Gown Committee members Mary announced events sponsored by the 2019 Commemorative Commission, free and open to the public, as follows: *530-8p Tuesday, March 19, Spheres of Migration panel discussion in the Hampton University Museum *March 21-23 The Global Status of Women and Girls Conference at Christopher Newport University and Norfolk State University *630-830p Thursday, March 28, Black Angels Over Tuskegee at Liberty Baptist Church she also announced the 9th Annual Hampton Roads Tattoo Festival 11a-11p March 23 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center; Virginia Destroyers (Gridiron League) will play their first game at 715p Saturday, March 30 against Kansas Kapitals Robin requested the date of the Hampton University Easter event in preparation for a Round Robin session; with enough notice, she will be happy to feature HU events In the Round Robin calendar Ann advised the 2nd Academies of Hampton commitment to graduate ceremony for approximately 1,400 freshmen students was well-received and was covered by the media Kellie stated Phoebus High School advanced to the state championship game and lost by one basket; the teacher of the year ceremony will be held March 28; WVEC’s Cheryl Tan will host a five-part series about the Academies of Hampton on “Connects”; Dr. Smith was named Region II Superintendent of the Year which now puts him in the running for the Virginia State Superintendent of the Year. The State Superintendent of the Year will be announced in May Raymond announced Mezeh Mediterranean Grill is currently holding a soft opening at 3961 Kilgore Avenue in Peninsula Town Center; Hyatt Hotel hopes to be open by next month VII. Next Meeting: April 9, 2019 **NEW LOCATION** 5th Floor Community Development Conference Room VIII. Adjournment – there being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m.