WWU Enhances Ties with Campus Community Coalition

DATE: July 21, 2009 8:59:30 AM PDT

Contact: Lara Welker, Campus Community Coalition, 650-6863; Lara.Welker@wwu.edu

BELLINGHAM – In an effort to further enhance its relationship with the greater Bellingham community, Western Washington University recently strengthened its ties to the Campus Community Coalition.

The Coalition, which has a longstanding “home” in Prevention and Wellness Services of Western’s Student Affairs Division, will continue its primary focus of addressing health and safety issues, especially challenges related to student alcohol use. However, it will also be positioned to assist with some other student/community related issues and to strengthen community partnerships through its new involvement with the WWU Office of University Relations.

Sherry Burkey, associate vice president for University Relations, will be working closely with the Coalition.

“For over a century, Western has sought to be a responsible steward of the place it calls home here in Bellingham and we plan to continue to strengthen the university’s ties with the community in a number of different ways, such as providing additional human resources for the Campus Community Coalition,” said WWU President Bruce Shepard.

The City of Bellingham has been a key partner of the Campus Community Coalition since it was formed in 1999 by former Mayor Mark Asmundson and WWU President Emeritus Karen W. Morse. The Mayor’s Office, Neighborhood Services, Police Department, City Attorney’s Office, Planning and Community Development, and Public Works have all been involved in the Coalition. Other community partners include Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Technical College, Northwest Indian College, bars, neighborhood associations, the Washington State Liquor Control Board, Whatcom County Health Department, and other local organizations.

“I appreciate Western’s many efforts under Dr. Shepard’s leadership to strengthen ties with the local community,” Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike said. “I welcome the Coalition broadening its reach and mission, and am committed to the City’s continued partnership with WWU in this and other ways.”

The Coalition’s Steering Committee recently finalized revisions to the Coalition’s mission statement, articulated core values to guide its work, and defined general goals for the next several years.

Assessment and planning activities are currently under way to guide specific Coalition projects for 2009-2011. The assessment process includes reviewing local data pertaining to the Coalition’s goals and identifying other existing campus and community efforts in order to maximize collaboration and avoid duplication. In addition, best practices research from across the country is being reviewed to identify strategies and programs that have been shown to be best or promising practices.

“We are excited to be expanding our focus a bit in terms of our health and safety goals. We are also increasing our collaboration with other area colleges, recognizing that Bellingham’s student population includes more than Western students and that the Coalition’s efforts will be more effective with all the colleges working together along with community partners,” said Campus Community Coalition Coordinator Lara Welker.

Based on local needs and resources, efforts already in place, and best practices information, action plans will be developed over the summer with implementation starting in the fall of 2009. Alliance

For the past 10 years, the Coalition, comprised of members of campus and community organizations, institutions and businesses, has promoted working relationships and communication among the colleges and community to enhance shared responsibility through collaborative education and problem-solving to improve the health, safety, and quality of life of the entire community. The Campus Community Coalition is funded by Western Washington University.

For more information about the Campus Community Coalition see Coalition.

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