What is the purpose of the Achieving Community Together (ACT) Program?

ACT is a collaborative effort of Texas State University-San Marcos and the San Marcos community to work together on common values, mission, and goals.

Regular communication, planning, and problem-solving will be the distinguishing features of the group efforts.

To promote positive relations between student and non-student residents through education, community connectedness, and resources.

--Education-provide students with tools to have a successful off-campus living experience.

--Community connectedness-provide students with opportunities to have positive interaction with non-student residents.

--Resources-refer students to necessary resources, i.e. Off-Campus Survival Guide, and to pool resources for educational and community connectedness activities.

--Noise and disturbances from loud parties late at night

--Overcrowded parking on streets, lawns, and sidewalks

--Litter, trash, and garbage left out for days

--Poor upkeep of rental property in residential areas

--Learning how to understand lease and contract agreements

--Understanding about rights and responsibilities when living in a community

--Understanding city codes and ordinances

--Working through the consequences of undesirable choices while living off campus

--Locating healthy and affordable housing

--Addressing perception that “this is a college town”

Support non-student residents’ understanding of:

--City codes and ordinances; city enforcement services

--Ways to develop positive interactions with students

--Students’ perspectives (i.e. “what does it mean to be a good neighbor?”)

--Changing neighborhoods (parents buying homes for students)

--Language (Creating a community dialog to foster effective communications)

--Language (i.e. kids vs. community members, students vs. residents, students vs.citizens)

--Community Welcome-Neighborhood dialogues and walks

--Texas Night Out

--Bobcat Build

--Good Neighbor Program

--Party Partners

--Sophomore Transitions

--Landlord Education/Expectations

--Quarterly Property Manager meetings

--Housing Fair

--Living Green

--ACT Advertising Campaign

--Vice President for Student Affairs

--LBJ Student Center

--OCSS Student Manager

--Community Relations

--Associated Student Government

--Student Liaison

--Police: City and Campus

--City of San Marcos Code Enforcement

--Residence Life