Spring Break
Fair seeks to foster sense of community
Issue date: 9/20/07
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Walking along St. Paul Street near Barnes & Noble last Saturday, it would have been very difficult to miss the third-annual Community Get-Together. If people weren't attracted to the colorful tables set up by businesses and school clubs, or the bands and a cappella groups, perhaps it was the voice of Student Community Liaison Carrie Bennett's enticing people to sign up for the free raffle drawing that got their attention.
About 25 student-run organizations and Charles Village businesses gathered with the goal of strengthening ties between Hopkins and the rest of Charles Village.
"The community in general has a negative perspective of Hopkins, and we have an obligation to be involved," said Khari Khambon, Government, Community and Public Affairs Project Specialist. While he could not provide specific attendance information Khambon called the turnout for this year's event "a huge improvement on last year's."
While Hopkins has included the Charles Village district in many events, there has always seemed to be a barrier between the University and the community. Though last year's "Halloween in the Hood" controversy has been considered an indicator of a disconnect between Hopkins students and the community, "it's hard to say if [the] incident influenced perspective of the University," Khambon said. "Even before the incident occurred, Johns Hopkins was distanced from the community."
"It's good to see students, administrators and community members coming together," said Salem Reiner, director of Community Affairs, who works to improve relations between Hopkins and the community. Reiner emphasized the improvement of the event this year, attributing turnout to the nice weather and prominent location.
Paula Burger, dean of Undergraduate Education, also stressed the importance of location, noting that past years lacked enough foot traffic to get people to stop by and participate in the get-together.
Attendees expressed a general satisfaction with the event. Student groups were able to present their events and programs to members of Charles Village, while community businesses and organizations were able to promote themselves and attempt to get students involved.
About 25 student-run organizations and Charles Village businesses gathered with the goal of strengthening ties between Hopkins and the rest of Charles Village.
"The community in general has a negative perspective of Hopkins, and we have an obligation to be involved," said Khari Khambon, Government, Community and Public Affairs Project Specialist. While he could not provide specific attendance information Khambon called the turnout for this year's event "a huge improvement on last year's."
While Hopkins has included the Charles Village district in many events, there has always seemed to be a barrier between the University and the community. Though last year's "Halloween in the Hood" controversy has been considered an indicator of a disconnect between Hopkins students and the community, "it's hard to say if [the] incident influenced perspective of the University," Khambon said. "Even before the incident occurred, Johns Hopkins was distanced from the community."
"It's good to see students, administrators and community members coming together," said Salem Reiner, director of Community Affairs, who works to improve relations between Hopkins and the community. Reiner emphasized the improvement of the event this year, attributing turnout to the nice weather and prominent location.
Paula Burger, dean of Undergraduate Education, also stressed the importance of location, noting that past years lacked enough foot traffic to get people to stop by and participate in the get-together.
Attendees expressed a general satisfaction with the event. Student groups were able to present their events and programs to members of Charles Village, while community businesses and organizations were able to promote themselves and attempt to get students involved.
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