City of Moscow and ASUI collaborate
Although City of Moscow Mayor Bill Lambert acknowledges there’s a gap between the city and the University of Idaho, he said it’s shrinking due to recent collaborations and finally opening lines of clear communication with UI faculty, staff and students.
“People didn’t get together and talk,” Lambert said. “Everyone had their own turf and stuck to it.”
Lambert said one of his top mayoral priorities is to work closely with ASUI to spur more student involvement in the City of Moscow. He has monthly meetings with ASUI leadership to discuss the issues facing the university and the city. He said by working together, both parties could pool their resources to come up with mutually beneficial programs and activities.
For example, Moscow held a block party during Dads’ Weekend last fall and invited students to bring their parents downtown to attend, Lambert said. The city is planning to put on a similar event or activity during one of the upcoming Vandal Fridays. The hope is to get people talking to one another, Lambert said.
“One of my favorite things to do is talk to college students,” Lambert said. “(To) see what’s on their minds, to see what they are thinking.”
The student population has a huge economic impact on the city, Lambert said, in part because they spend money at local businesses.
“When the university prospers, the city prospers,” Lambert said.
The City of Moscow is a great place for students to explore and discover new things, ASUI President Nate Fisher said. He said it’s important for students to know more beyond the limits of the campus.
“It will make the college experience better if you connect to the city,” Fisher said. “For what Moscow has, it is pretty unique.”
Fisher said exploring the city gives students a real world connection and gives students the opportunity to experience more things than what they would if they only stayed on campus.
“The college experience is much more than what you learn in the classroom,” Fisher said.
City Councilman John Weber said he is also in favor of UI students becoming more involved with the city. He said the people are friendly and there are plenty of great places to visit.
“We have a diverse population,” Weber said. “We welcome anybody.”
A lot of students think their world begins and ends on campus, Weber said, because campus is where their classes, friends and clubs are. But students can have even more experiences off-campus. For example, Weber said students can even serve as student liaisons on city commissions.
“We welcome student involvement on our city commissions,” Weber said.
Weber said participating in citywide discourse allows students to get to know members of the city council and members of the community.
“You get to know people outside of your regular social lives,” Weber said. “It always helps to put a face to a name.”
The hope is to build a strong relationship between the City of Moscow and UI, Lambert said. He said doing so will help the area grow and prosper.
“We can be a huge example setter in the state,” he said. “Our community can be the shining star in Idaho.”
Graham Perednia can be reached at [email protected]