As Jefferson City and Lincoln University officials look into a potential collaboration for a multipurpose building, leaders of both organizations say the discussions are a sign of a continually improving relationship between the university and the community.
Last week, the Jefferson City Council heard a presentation on a potential collaboration between the university and the city's Parks and Recreation Commission for a facility on the university campus, where Lincoln is already planning a recreational facility.
That collaboration, if it becomes a reality, could be a symbol for how the relationship between the two has improved in the last few years.
University President Kevin Rome said from what he's heard, the relationship has improved dramatically in the last few years. The university's former president, Carolyn Mahoney, really helped build and repair that relationship, he said, and now the task is to take it even further.
"Lincoln is a great asset to the community, and Lincoln benefits from being in Jefferson City," Rome said. "The more aligned we are, the more we all progress, and the more we all benefit."
Mayor Eric Struemph agreed, saying the relationship has improved so much in the last few years thanks to Mahoney and now Rome.
"On a scale of one to 10, I would say they're a 15 from what they used to be," Struemph said of the university. "I think it's a good relationship."
When asked about existing partnerships, both Rome and Struemph listed a number of events and efforts that have involved both entities.
This summer, the Lincoln University Farmers Market took part in several Thursday Night Live events, as well as going downtown on Saturday mornings in May. Rome said that stemmed from the university's involvement in the Downtown Association and he hopes to see more students get involved downtown in the future.
"I see us really getting our students involved in downtown more," Rome said.
Elected officials often help Lincoln University students move into their dorms before the fall semester and even Struemph's daughter has begun her freshman year at Lincoln.
Struemph said the city, Cole County and the university often lobby for similar actions at the state level and noted he's in favor of vacating Chestnut Street to allow the university to close traffic and build a pedestrian plaza for students, something Lincoln has previously asked the city to do.
(City officials previously denied the request partially because the street may need to be used during planned construction for the Lafayette Street interchange, which will close U.S. 50 for a short period and divert traffic to city streets.)
Rome was part of the selection committee that recommended Steve Crowell for the city administrator position, and Struemph was part of the selection committee that recommended Rome for the university president position.
"We really work hand-in-hand with the community and the city in many ways," Rome said. "There are a lot of partnerships."
Neither Rome nor Struemph mentioned JCTV as an existing partnership, though the public, education and government channel operates through a contract between the city and university. The station typically broadcasts City Council, as well as Planning and Zoning Commission meetings, and currently receives $55,000 from the city.
Rome said another potential partnership had been the use of the old St. Mary's Health Center complex overlooking Missouri Boulevard.
Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed the $6 million for the renovation of the soon-to-be-vacated complex that the hospital is willing to donate to the state, under certain conditions and restrictions. Lincoln University and the State Technical College of Missouri, Linn, were slated to use about a third of the old hospital for nursing and medical technology classes - and the rest of the hospital space was to be renovated for state offices. The Cole County Health Department also had hoped to use some of the hospital space.
Rome said, if that project comes to fruition, that would forge more partnerships and possibilities with not just the city, but with the county and state.
"There's a certain synergy that could happen," Rome said.
Struemph said he sees the enthusiasm the students have for the community and vice versa.
"I think there's communities out there that would give their left arm to have a university like Lincoln in town," Struemph said. "One thing I want to make sure we do is give it every opportunity to grow."
Rome said he'd like to see more focus and attention on how many Lincoln students are local people, which he said is evident of the direct connection between the community and the university.
"The majority of the students at Lincoln come from the local community," Rome said. "Many of them were born and raised in Jefferson City and Cole County. ... There's a direct connection that has existed for many years. But for some reason, I'm not sure that we focus on that relationship."
Rome said university students work throughout the community, live in the community and spend their money at local shops and restaurants. What needs to happen, he said, is more focus should be put on some of the existing relationships.
One improvement Rome would like to see is more local interest in, and attendance at, university athletic events. He said Jefferson City residents have shown themselves to be a very athletic-oriented community, with great support for local high school teams. Rome said he would like to see that engagement from the community at the collegiate level with Lincoln, noting their athletics are improving and they are taking steps to recruit local athletes.
"When someone thinks of Jefferson City, we want them to think of Lincoln University," Rome said. "And when someone thinks of Lincoln University, we want them to think of Jefferson City. ... We have to be inseparable."