URI-Narragansett Coalition to host expert
on community-university relations Oct. 3

KINGSTON, R.I. -- Oct. 2, 2000 -- An authority on community-university relations will address the coalition formed to improve relations between University of Rhode Island students and the town of Narragansett Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.

Thomas L. Gebhardt, director of personal safety and off-campus affairs at the University at Albany, State University of New York in Albany, will speak at Narragansett Town Hall. The meeting is open to the public.

Gebhardt has been chair of the Committee on University & Community since its creation in the fall of 1990.

In 1992, Gebhardt was recognized by the University at Albany as the first recipient of the "Outstanding Professional Service Award," by the Division of Student Affairs for "significant contributions to improving university and community relations."

The Committee on University & Community Relations itself received national recognition as a finalist/second place in the 1997 "Neighborhood of the Year" awards by "Neighborhoods USA," as well as local recognition by the Neighborhood Resource Center in the City of Albany as the "1995 Organization of the Year." In addition, the committee was named runner-up for the 1997-98 Outstanding Public Relations Program Award by Commission XVII ­ Commuter Students and Adult Learners ­ of the American College Personnel Association.

In the March 2000 edition of the Journal of American College Health, Gebhardt co-authored an article entitled "A Campus-Community Coalition to

Control Alcohol -related Problems Off Campus: An Environmental Management Case Study." In May of this year, he was recognized by the Neighborhood Resource Center in Albany as the "2000 Outstanding Public Official of the Year."

"He is clearly recognized as the founder and motivator behind the community coalition in Albany, which has had tremendous success in resolving conflicts between Albany and the campus community," said Thomas R. Dougan, assistant vice president of student affairs at URI.

"He's a terrific speaker who will help our coalition get off to a solid start," Dougan said.

Gephardt's talk marks the second meeting of the coalition, which was formed after Narragansett residents met with students and URI officials last spring to discuss their concerns about off-campus traffic, parties and parking.

In addition to Dougan, the members of the coalition are: Frances Cohen, dean of students at URI; Dan Reilly, assistant director student life and URI substance abuse prevention coordinator; Mark Wood, URI assistant professor of psychology; Bob Cormier, president of the URI Student Senate; John Stringer, Student Senate member; Robert Drapeau, URI director of campus police and security; Suzanne Miller, member of the Narragansett Town Council; Maurice Loontjens, Narragansett town manager; Jack O'Donnell, Narragansett police chief; Jim Durkin, local Realtor; Stan Zienowicz, Briggs Farm president; William O'Neill, representing Bonnet Shores and Jack Casey, representing Eastward Look.

For Information: Thomas Dougan 874-2427, Dave Lavallee 874-2116