Town initiates debate on local economy College and town officials discuss student spending in town

Author: Rachel Durfee

College administrators and town officials met on Nov. 22 to gauge whether the College's promotion of on campus events minimizes the opportunities for students and parents to visit the downtown area. President Ronald D. Liebowitz and Executive Vice President and Treasurer Robert Huth met with John Tenny, chairman of the town Board of Selectmen, to discuss current issues affecting both the town of Middlebury and the College. At the top of the agenda was College student and parent patronage of town businesses.

"Our perception is that there is less trade coming from students and their parents in the village," said Tenny. "We were posing a question of whether too much has been done to replace services and retail offerings that are in the downtown on campus so that people are less inclined to come downtown."

Examples are the ever-popular Grille and Juice Bar and meals provided to parents on Parents Weekends. The Board wanted to determine whether actions that create competition with town businesses are increasing or decreasing. But Huth remarked that "there was no specific data or correlations noted. The College is not aware of anything in particular that could be causing this perception [that the town is losing student business]." Liebowitz argues that College-sponsored events, such as Thursday Pub Nights and the 200 Days Party, provide safe social options for students and he believes the town understands that. Said Liebowitz of the meeting: "The discussion, like others, was informative and cordial."

The Board of Selectmen recently conducted a survey to measure the success of local businesses over the course of the 2005 fall semester. Tenny cited Mr. Ups and Two Brothers as restaurants that are quite satisfied and happy with business. In general, all restaurants and retailers are doing well. Tenny, along with many students, cites the Natural Food Co-Op and T.J. Maxx as notable successes with College students, and is encouraged by the positive feedback he says he receives. Overall though, said Tenny, "We still feel that we see less trade with the College and we'd like to see more trade."

But the town does not necessarily hope for other effects of students migrating away from campus and in the downtown area. Over the years, the town has often encouraged the College to take actions that reduce some of the traffic in town. But Tenny worries that some of the initiatives to keep students on college grounds may be reducing too much of the trade in town.

In response to the town's concern, Leibowitz and Huth feel that the College actually has been cutting back on their on campus initiative somewhat, having fewer meals and events held on campus during weekends in which parents are involved, reducing the overall Grille and Juice Bar hours and encouraging and providing more opportunities for members of the College community to spend their money in town, both at retail shops and restaurants. Part of the feedback suggests that students and their parents are indeed taking their wallets off campus, but may be going farther afield than the town would like, citing increasing preferences for restaurants in neighboring towns such as Vergennes, Bristol and Brandon.

Ealier this year the College's Pub Night drew skepticism from the town when questions were raised due to concerns about what appeared to be an over-emphasis on the alcohol served at the event and the subsequent potential loss of customers in town. But Tenny maintains that there has been productive discussion regarding Pub Night. "I know the effort is there to introduce the alcohol in a responsible setting and to try to incorporate it in a social setting without it being over-emphasized," he said. Though the College students' reputation as beer-thirsty over-zealous drinkers may make this a difficult task, Tenny maintains "the College is trying to do something that gets people to drink in a reasonable, responsible way, and I am pleased with that part of the effort." Tenny also said, "From a town standpoint, we have seen a lot less of alcohol related problems and much more responsible social behavior in the last five to seven years."

Tenny affirmed that the College's response to the issue of student and parent patronage in town has been thoughtful and that discussions have been constructive. "Our communication and dialogue is quite productive and I think the town and the College work very well together." There are changing and combined needs for both the town and the College that the Board is "trying to resolve and do the best it possibly can." Liebowitz added that the lines of communication are continually open, "so there are no surprises."

Albert Bitici