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University Neighborhood Partnership

Westcott Cultural Fair The purpose of the University Neighborhood Partnership is to enhance the university residential community and address the dynamics of the college neighborhood by providing a process for communication and constructive action.

The idea of a University neighborhood partnership materialized at the beginning of the fall 2004 semester, when residents in the east neighborhood raised concerns regarding off-campus student behavior. As a result, members of the East Neighborhood Task Force - representatives from the University, City of Syracuse, and the east neighborhood - were asked by Chancellor Nancy Cantor to take a fresh look at ways neighborhood associations, city administrators, students, rental property owners, and owner-occupants could together address quality of life issues in the neighborhood and create a greater sense of community. As a result of the task force, the group announced the formation of the University Neighborhood Partnership (UNP). The UNP acts as a forum for effectively discussing and resolving community issues and concerns.

The UNP held its first meeting in September of 2005. It met for 2 1/2 years operating under its original structure. In 2007, the University Neighborhood Partnership (UNP) conducted a series of study sessions to discuss solutions to quality-of-life issues related to the density of residents in neighborhoods within the City of Syracuse. The report encapsulating the findings was released in November 2007. To view the complete report with attachments, copies can be viewed at the Office of Government and Community Relations at Syracuse University, the Petit Library, or the Westcott Community Center. If you have any questions, please contact the UNP member representing you.

As of March 2008, the UNP restructured with the following criteria:

Membership of the Steering Committee:

  • Facilitator
  • City Representative 1
  • S.U. Administration 1
  • ESF Administration 1
  • LeMoyne Administration 1
  • Upstate Administration 1
  • Students (SU, ESF, LC, OCC, UMU) 4
  • Landlords 4
  • Permanent Resident 4
  • Total: 17

Rationale for Membership Formula

The membership is designed to be a more integrated group that is organized to represent stakeholder groups. Although this is intended to emphasize shared issues rather than territorial concerns, it is recognized that neighborhoods within the target area have unique needs and concerns with respect to university presence and each should be represented at the table by a resident and landlord in that neighborhood. More representation of members of the residential community (students, landlords, owner-occupants) is intended to increase communication within the residential community.

The representatives from the City of Syracuse, SU, ESF, UMU and LC will have the ability to work across all levels of their administrative structures and have authority to make decisions.

Four landlords will be selected who own property within the four target neighborhoods: South East University Neighborhood Association (SEUNA), Westcott East Neighborhood Association (WENA), Outer Comstock Neighborhood Association (OCNA) and Sherman Park Association. At least one of the landlords will be a member of SPOA.

The four permanent residents will be selected by the following organizations: SEUNA, WENA, OCNA, Sherman Park Association from their respective areas.

The four student members who live off campus will be selected by the individual educational institutions.

Leadership

  • Facilitator selected by the group
  • Secretary chosen from the UNP members

    Qualifications for Membership (Criteria of characteristics and shared values)

    The members of the steering committee will embody the stakeholder group they represent and also embody characteristics listed below:

    • Being proactive (acting in anticipation of problems, needs, changes) rather than reactive (focused only on existing problems)
    • Interested in the common good
    • Interested in building consensus
    • Honest
    • Non-confrontational
    • Able to communicate
    • Able to represent organizational attitudes
    • Demonstrate integrity and confidentiality
    • Being proud to participate

    University Neighborhood Partnership Minutes:

    For additional information about the UNP: