Civic Connections

Smith’s president and senior staff members meet regularly with the Northampton mayor and other city officials to discuss issues and opportunities of mutual interest. The president’s annual college-community breakfast invites some 50 civic, cultural and religious leaders in Northampton to campus for updates on Smith’s key projects and initiatives.

Affordable Housing

In 2003 Smith established a $3 million Affordable Housing Replacement Fund to construct 26 apartments at 36 Bedford Terrace and an adjacent new apartment building. Completed in spring 2007, these units replaced the 26 Smith-owned units, in the area of Belmont and Arnold avenues, that had been removed for the college’s engineering and science building. Subsidies for construction of these units, combined with the value of the property, represent a $3.285 million commitment from the college to affordable housing. Subsequently, working with the Valley Community Development Corporation, the college provided $220,000 to subsidize the development of four new apartments at 46-48 School Street and $550,000 to subsidize the development of eight new apartments at 96-98 King Street.

Engineering Design

Every senior Smith engineer completes her degree with hands-on experience in the capstone Design Clinic, where students solve engineering design problems for real clients. In 2010–11, one team collaborated with two Northampton departments and worked on a design problem related to the landfill.

Landfill Solution

Students worked with the Northampton Department of Public Works and the Northampton Energy and Sustainability Commission to evaluate and design renewable energy options for the Northampton landfill after it is capped.

After analyzing wind, biomass and solar energy as potential sources of sustainable energy and income, the team determined that solar energy was the most feasible option; a 3.1MW array on 19 acres of the landfill could provide nearly half of Northampton's municipal electricity consumption. The team's work will inform city leaders as they determine whether to try to generate renewable energy on the landfill when it closes.

Reaching Out to High School Students

Professor Susannah Howe supervised a Northampton High School student on her work-study internship to research attempted design solutions for the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster and prepare case studies about the failed and successful designs. The case studies and supporting material will be integrated into the engineering design curriculum at Smith.

Eight Northampton High School students enrolled in the introductory course EGR 100: Engineering for Everyone in fall 2010.

Phoebe Reese Lewis Leadership Program

Students in this program provided consultation and analysis to the Holyoke Tutor/Mentor Program, an organization that recruits, trains and supports a pool of tutors who work in classrooms with learners already studying English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Adult Basic Education (ABE). Students worked with Holyoke Tutor/Mentor on development and outreach planning and the recruitment of tutors in the greater Holyoke area. Previously, students in the leadership program have worked with the Literacy Project, Interfaith Cot Shelter, Academy of Music, Friends of Children, Mass Bike, the Northampton Center for the Arts and the MANNA soup kitchen.

Expertise

Smith contributes expertise to the Northampton Conservation Commission and the Northampton Board of Public Works, the Academy of Music, the Affordable Housing Trust and Housing Partnership, the Community Preservation Committee, and the Transportation and Parking Commission. Grounds consultation is provided to area schools and colleges for athletic fields and turf areas.

Historic Preservation

Smith is regularly recognized by the Northampton Historic Commission for its renovation of college buildings in the Elm Street Historic District.

Campus Police

The Campus Police provide protection and services to the college community, its visitors and guests. The officers are sworn special state police officers and are trained professionals with police powers on campus property. Campus police often work with other agencies, particularly the Northampton Police Department and the Hampshire County District Attorney’s Office. The department coordinates with the Northampton Fire Department for emergency ambulance service and participates on behalf of the college in the city’s emergency management team. The college provides overtime employment at time-and-a-half pay for a significant number of Northampton police officers, particularly during commencement and reunion weekends when, for example, approximately $5,800 is paid for the services of more than two dozen city police officers for traffic control.

Zipcars

Since 2007, Smith has partnered with Zipcar, North America’s largest car-sharing service, to offer the Smith community and local residents a cost-effective alternative to car ownership. Smith has five Zipcars; the company estimates that each Zipcar eliminates the need for more than 20 privately owned vehicles.