While most of my work is on the serious side, involving meetings with the local community and with students and neighbors, sometimes it can be fun and games. Recently, I teamed up with representatives from Amherst Police, UMass Police and the Dean of Students to take on the SGA "Grit 'n Wit" event, a fundraiser for the Student Veteran Resource Center. We had a great day for the race with dozens of teams, and even if our team's time did not put us on the podium, it was definitely a win for the SVRC!
I participated with other Amherst and UMass officials in a conference jointly sponsored by the Responsible Retailing Forum (RRForum) and International Town & Gown Association (ITGA) in Boston. The conference focused on public policy and responsible alcohol retailing and retailer-based responsibility in college communities, issues that have been a subject of active discussion in our community’s Campus and Community Coalition to Reduce High-Risk Drinking (CCC).
Both of these events - the fun charity benefit and the complex policy debate - represent the great variety of community connections I enjoy in my work. It’s deeply rewarding to be part of a solutions-based approach to Town-Gown issues and build closer and lasting relationships with colleagues to improve our community.
- Eric Beal, Neighborhood Liaison