It is not uncommon for community members to eye their local campus with suspicion or distrust. This can be a difficult obstacle to overcome, but one which campuses have begun to address as they seek to nurture stronger town/gown relationships. When St. John s University in New York decided to build on-campus housing for 2,800 students, the potential effects of construction in the community could have led to confrontation. Instead, the university sought to engage the community in dialogue, establishing a monthly meeting to discuss community concerns and solicit feedback. The venture has become a way for St. John s to establish trust while measuring community feelings towards the university.
