TCNJ

e College of New Jersey ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 IN THE COMMUNITY SEEKING SOCIAL JUSTICE In September 2017, then-President Gitenstein released the report of The College of New Jersey Advisory Commission on Social Justice: Race and Educational Attainment, which she had charged with engaging campus and community stakeholders to consider ways in which TCNJ could seek to remediate instances of inequality and prejudice. Particular attention was paid to the college's current and former relationships with Trenton and Ewing. The report put forth five recommendations, which Dr. Gitenstein accepted: 1. Increase the number of students from Trenton and Ewing public schools who are deemed college-ready to apply to and graduate from The College of New Jersey; 2. Increase the awareness of, and engagement with, the cities of Trenton and Ewing among TCNJ undergraduates for a deeper sense of community, history, and institutional identity; 3. Promote a community, curriculum, and culture that are more inclusive among faculty, administrators, and staff; 4. Identify an office or individual to oversee the implementation of all accepted recommendations; and 5. Rename Paul Loser Hall (action taken on May 24, 2017 to rename building Trenton Hall). Gitenstein also formed an implementation task force comprised of stakeholders campuswide to ensure that these recommendations are realized. This work is continuing under current President Foster who has charged the implementation task force of students, staff, faculty, and community members to sustain and deepen the effort. An immediate goal is to integrate the many Trenton- Ewing-TCNJ initiatives into an intentional and coherent partnership-centered commitment with lasting impact. THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY ADVISORY COMMISSION ON SOCIAL JUSTICE PRESENTED TO R. BARBARA GITENSTEIN, PRESIDENT JUNE 30, 2017 The college campus on Clinton Avenue in Trenton (1855-1931) E022_CommSocialJustice_0726.indd 1 5/23/18 11:36 AM NEW APPROACHES TO POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT TCNJ hosted the Trenton Prevention Policy Board's first-ever Trenton Youth Violence Symposium in December. This unique event offered insight and perspective on positive youth development from an array of locally and regionally recognized experts and practitioners. The goal of the symposium, which was funded in part by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, was to educate, empower, and build consensus around a coordinated approach to youth violence prevention in Trenton. Municipal leaders from across the northeast shared lessons learned from multidisciplinary, data-driven, comprehensive plans developed under President Obama's National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention. This event was geared toward nonprofit professionals, educators, faith leaders, social workers, policymakers, law enforcement officers, and anyone with an interest in positive youth development. CONNECTED: TRENTON AND TCNJ This spring, a series of billboards featuring TCNJ alumni and a current student appeared in multiple locations in Trenton. The campaign was part of the college's efforts to reinforce TCNJ's longtime connection to the local community, and to raise awareness among area citizens about educational, employment, and other opportunities at TCNJ. In conjunction with the billboards, the college created a webpage that highlighted multiple alumni, students, and employees of TCNJ, shared the college's commitment to Trenton/Ewing, and promoted community partners such as nonprofits and school districts. STUDENT MURAL PROJECT TCNJ students researched, photographed, and installed 50 portraits of Trenton residents around the city. For more about this project, visit the School of the Arts and Communication section of this report on page 8.

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