UD community outreach campaign goes mobile

11:44 a.m., March 8, 2005--UD’s “Let’s build better neighborhoods!” campaign is now on the road thanks to an eye-catching montage of brightly colored graphics that adorn one of the University’s shuttle buses.

The bus wrap includes messages from six posters for both students and Newark residents. The posters were first used in “UDo Live Here” community outreach packets that were distributed last fall by the Building Responsibility Coalition (BRC), UD staff, representatives from the Delaware Undergraduate Student Congress (DUSC), other students and community members.

Among the messages on the posters is “Make yourself useful,” with a message for students: “Living off campus is your opportunity to learn civic responsibility and social skills that will last a lifetime. Your neighbors may need assistance, and offering to help them is a step toward positive interaction and communication.”

One poster asks residents to celebrate the success and impressive accomplishments of the thousands of the best and brightest students from all over the world, who become good neighbors in Newark. Another poster, titled “Don’t just sit there and complain,” invites residents to greet newcomers to their neighborhood as a way to build friendship and open the door for positive communication and interaction.

“Having the messages displayed on a University bus is a very visible way of reminding people about what can be done to enrich the quality of life for all who live in the residential areas that surround the campus,” John Bishop, UD associate vice president for counseling and student development, said.

BRC is a campus/community partnership advocating policies for the responsible and legal use of alcohol in order to promote a healthy environment for students, residents and businesses by reducing the harm to people and property caused by high-risk drinking.

The partnership brings together more than 130 individuals representing a wide range of constituencies, including residents of Newark, UD students, faculty and staff, elected officials, city and state employees, business owners and alcohol licensees, clergy, school nurses, public safety personnel and civic association leaders.

Richard Waibel, Newark resident and BRC member, said the art “is a visible message to both the University of Delaware family and the community. The message to build a better community is a reminder to all of what yields an environment better for all. I would hope the bus becomes a helpful reminder for all that respect for all is a better way.”

The montage was designed by Don McElroy, graphic design specialist in the Office of Public Relations. The posters were designed by Monroe Givens, associate director of public relations.

Article by Martin Mbugua
Photos by Keith Heckert

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