Although many Evanston residents have called upon Northwestern’s administrators to give more to their host community, students’ contributions have been largely overlooked, Associated Student Government officials and local business owners said.
To entice students to contribute more to the city, local business leaders and two representatives of ASG’s External Relations Committee brainstormed plans on Jan. 26 to make Evanston more hospitable to NU students.
“Evanston business owners understand that Northwestern students do have a big impact on the economy and they are very excited about and interested in increasing their business,” said Jada Black, chairwoman of the External Relations Committee. “They’re disappointed about how they’re portrayed in city politics as being anti-Northwestern, and part of the goal of these meetings is to change those perceptions.”
ASG members and local business officials said they hope to work together to get students to visit downtown more frequently to take advantage of businesses. Ideas include kiosks with business information, a public relations campaign directed at NU students, a WildCARD discount marketing effort, expansion of the ASG restaurant guide, improved shuttle service through Evanston and more bike racks.
“I didn’t really know about some of the obstacles that students have with the downtown area,” said Tom Fischl, owner of Ofischl Sports, 1506 Sherman Ave. He said modification of city ordinances against biking on sidewalks downtown is one change that might encourage students to spend more downtown.
“Northwestern is the economic engine that drives this town,” he said. “Many businesses won’t talk about it because it’s kind of an ugly debate going on, (but) it’s obvious that Northwestern has made a concerted effort to do as much business with Evanston-based businesses as it can.”
Eugene Sunshine, NU senior vice president for business and finance, said students contribute greatly to the local economy.
The tuition that students pay creates jobs in Evanston, and events they organize bring visitors who contribute to the economy, Sunshine said.
Students also shop and work at businesses in Evanston, spurring more economic activity, Sunshine said.
NU administrators said they welcomed a more cooperative relationship between Evanston community leaders and the university and offered to help with business owners’ efforts.
NU already takes measures to encourage students to spend. The WildCARD Advantage program gives students discounts at local stores and NU also tries to make purchases from local businesses, even when the prices are slightly higher than what the university might pay elsewhere.
Although NU and local residents may never resolve the long-standing dispute over fair-share contributions by the university to the city’s budget, Black said they may find common ground in improving Evanston’s economy.
“It’s a long-term project, but I think that the goals are worth the amount of time that needs to be invested,” Black said.
