News:

Councillor McHattie attends
the Town and Gown Symposium in Brantford

May 15, 2006

Town and Gown is the term used to refer to municipalities which host post-secondary institutions (colleges and universities).  Wilfrid Laurier  University - Brantford  Campus  hosted the Town and Gown symposium in Brantford on May 11 and 12.

The 1½ day conference brought together stakeholders from municipalities which host post-secondary colleges and/or universities. Attendees  included municipal councillors (including Councillor Brian McHattie), municipal by-law officers, municipal planners, police services, university and college staff, community organizations (including the AWWCA), and student organizations.

The agenda included presentations on topics such as:

1. Off –campus student code of conduct
2. Tips for dealing with garbage during student move-in and move-out
3. Tenant Protection Act
4. Safe housing
5. Housing Accreditation program

Representatives from the City of Hamilton Waste Management department and from McMaster Off-Campus Resource Centre gave presentations.

The Honourable Bob Rae was the keynote speaker in the evening, followed by a panel on the Effects of a Campus on a City.

The first Annual Meeting of the Town and Gown Association of Ontario was also held to elect the first Board of Directors. The membership of this organization includes representatives from municipalities (councillors, planners, by-law officers), police services, community associations, student associations and universities and colleges.

For more information about this organization, see www.tgao.ca.