亚博体育

The 亚博体育 (white text)

Opportunities for Downtown & Area Businesses

electric city sign

The 亚博体育 is proud to be part of the City of 亚博体育, with its campus located just adjacent to Courthouse Square. The Office of Community Relations seeks to help support the continued renaissance of the downtown and the vitality of the wider region of Northeastern Pennsylvania by sharing resources and information and by encouraging interaction between students, faculty, and staff and area businesses. 

University-Downtown Engagement Initiative
Student Spending
Discounts for Students
Share your News: Business Updates & Ads in Student Newspaper 
Community Relations’ University Calendar
Local Purchasing
Downtown Map

University-Downtown Engagement Initiative

The University-Downtown Engagement Initiative began in 2011.  These efforts have included strategic collaborations, special events and regular communications and promotions designed to raise the awareness of students, faculty, staff and parents with downtown 亚博体育 offerings.  The activities help to familiarize the campus community with the various shopping, dining, entertainment and cultural offerings downtown and to increase their engagement in the downtown area.  

The initiative is undertaken in cooperation with community and campus partners - University’s Small Business Development Center, Center for Student Engagement, Office of Residence Life, as well as 亚博体育 Tomorrow and the Greater 亚博体育 Chamber of Commerce.  These efforts have received recognition from both higher education and community organizations. In March 2013, the project received a Bronze Accolade Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and in May 2013 was recognized as a Partner of the Year from 亚博体育 Tomorrow. In addition, the University has presented these activities at national conferences of the International Town-Gown Association to share best practices. 

2017 Survey: Findings from a recent survey, show a steady increase in student awareness and patronage of the myriad businesses just steps from the campus. Most notably, downtown dining is a key draw for students. View a and the .

Tours: Every summer and fall, since 2011, the University conducts "FAM" tours familiarizing Resident Assistants, Faculty and Staff, and other campus groups with downtown businesses, in cooperation with 亚博体育 Tomorrow.  

Special Events: The eleventh annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt took place on Sept. 2-3, 2022 with 199 students participating. 

Leveraging Major Campus Events: During Family Weekend downtown eateries participate in the Family Table discount program.  We encourage families to during Family Weekend. 

Service: University student government, alumni and the Office of Community Relations work with 亚博体育 Tomorrow to beautify the planters in downtown 亚博体育 as part of 亚博体育 Tomorrow's "Adopt-a-Planter" initiative, and as a component of the University's semi-annual "Street Sweep".  Around 100 students and alumni plant flowers in over 75 planters.  In the 2013-2014 academic year, the University and community partners won a $1,000 grant from Pennsylvania American Water's Community Investment Challenge to support the .  The next event is planned for April 15, 2018. 

Meetings with Businesses: Downtown businesses and organizations gather with University representatives to discuss “University-Downtown Engagement" to review past efforts and look ahead to new opportunities for collaboration.  The Office of Community Relations first launched efforts to increase connections with downtown businesses and cultural venues in May, 2011 and holds an annual meeting to discuss new opportunities. .      

Below find several additional links highlighting this initiative from its start in 2011.