By Izabela Bilanovic
Kentucky’s largest metropolitan university will seek to take the lead for the growing number of cities in the commonwealth.
The University of Louisville, in a partnership with the Kentucky League of Cities and NewCities, is planning an Urban Solutions Center to help budding cities with infrastructure, housing, education and diversity issues, according to U of L Provost Dr. Shirley Willihnganz.
“While we still think of the U.S.A. as largely agrarian, and we certainly think of Kentucky that way, in fact people are much more likely to live in cities than they are to live on farms,” said Willihnganz.
The center is still in its conceptual phase, but initial funding will come from the office of U of L President Dr. James R. Ramsey. Willihnganz said the center should be self supporting after a few years.
“We sought out Kentucky’s comprehensive urban university as a partner because of the resources, academic rigor and credibility that U of L can bring to our work.” Sylvia Lovely, president of NewCities, stated in a press release.
Judd Johnson, and undecided freshmen, said of U of L’s donation, “I think that it’s a good idea, it will help people in the community and it will put an increasingly good face on the university, not only to people in the city and state, but also in the country.”
U of L’s initial donation of $250,000 will go toward educating civic leaders in Kentucky towns to attempt to ease the growing pains of urban areas. But the center will also benefit U of L students, said Willihnganz.
“The university has a leadership role in our community and we are committed to making our community a better one because we are here,” Willihnganz said. “The benefit to our students is that this will give them the chance to be involved in research projects with our faculty.”
However, the high price tag concerns some students.
“It’s a good idea but it should be more developed before they put money into it,” said Jenny Venson, freshman and vocal performance major.
Students such as Geoff Hutton, a freshman music education major, believe the money should go to more school related programs.
“At Indiana University, they have a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center and I’d rather see the money put toward that,” said Hutton.
“Our ultimate goal is for the Center to provide useful, qualitative resources and services to the students, the local community, civic leaders and citizens across the state,” Bobbie Bryant, Director of Public Affairs of NewCities, said.
