SU Connective Corridor Creating Opportunities

I traveled to Syracuse last week for a meeting of the University’s Board of Trustees and to attend the University’s 158th commencement ceremonies.  The Board meeting went very well, with reviews of the University’s operations and budget, approval of new majors, and confirmation of new tenured faculty.  These meetings are wonderful opportunities to learn about the workings of alma mater, sitting on her hilltop high.

One of the very interesting findings is the economic developments Syracuse has created for its community.  There is a bus route, for example, that connects the university with the city called the Connective Corridor.  It goes through a section of the city that had historically been underdeveloped.  It has been kind of barren, and now the corridor is blossoming.  There’s a lot of wonderful growth going on: new houses, new businesses, and new developments.

This growth is not displacing the current residents, but rather helping them.  Another thing that is really neat about the Connective Corridor is the development is being led, and in many cases completed, by Syracuse professors and Syracuse students.

This is a great opportunity for engineering, architecture, and organic development students to have real hands on learning experiences.  This goes along well the university’s strategy of “Scholarship in Action.”  In other words, this strategy promotes the practice of theory being learned in class.  Imagine majoring in architecture, engineering or ubran development and working on improving the city using the skills you’re learning in class.  That’s “Scholarship in Action.”