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SALISBURY, MD---ºÚÁÏÍø — celebrating its 90th anniversary this year — and the City of Salisbury are developing even closer relationships, with the campus expanding to downtown and ties growing on projects of mutual interest, from business and scientific research to service, civic engagement and education. 

Now, community members will have the chance to share their opinions on where they’d like to see the relationship go through a new online survey.

From October 1-November 30, area residents may take the survey, administered through The Optimal College Town Assessment.

“It’s important for the University and the community to have an accurate idea of how their relationship is perceived and what can be done to strengthen it. No one has a monopoly on good ideas, and this survey will give participants a chance to have their voices heard,” said Robby Sheehan, director of government and community relations, and chair of SU’s Town-Gown Council.

The form includes questions about campus events; classes; students, faculty and staff interaction; and more. Faculty and staff also have the opportunity to offer input.

The survey is anonymous, and residents of Wicomico County are invited to participate. 

SU will be the third campus in the country to conduct this survey. The others are Ohio State University at Mansfield and St. Catharine’s College, KY.

In addition, SU hosts a town hall meeting 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 6, in the Fellowship Hall at Bethany Lutheran Church, the corner of Camden Avenue and South Boulevard. Area residents are invited to share their views, ask questions about the campus, and learn about the student code of conduct.

SU is a member of the International Town-Gown Association, whose mission is to strengthen partnerships between university campuses and their communities. Other ITGA members include American, Boston, Clemson, Cornell, Georgetown, Northwestern, Purdue and Michigan universities.

“Town-gown synergy is real,” Sheehan said. “The network of professionals and resources, the sharing of best practices from across the country — all these and more can lead to new possibilities for municipal and university communities such as ours.”

For more information call Sheehan at 410-546-4127 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.