Logistical Challenges to Community Outreach

One logistical challege to community outreach that was mentioned in our interviews was navigating the University's large campus and finding parking.  At over 1,400 acres it isn't hard to imagine the campus being intimidating, especially to someone who hasn't visited before or doesn't visit often.

This challenge effects our ability to draw community members to hear lectures, visit our galleries, and attend other events.  The problem was put this way by a University of Massachusetts Foundation Board member;

“One of the problems that the University and the Colleges have is that during the day it is hard to get close to any of these creative things [because of parking].  At night when there are performances at the FAC parking is not an issue…

One has to be fairly determined to attend one of the University’s creative functions during the day. . . 

I think it must make it harder for the University’s creative spaces to be a public presence. That extends for example to the College of Humanities and Fine Arts undoubtedly has if you look at the 5-college calendar you see that there are often very interesting lectures, writers, or people from various parts that come and talk and it’s open to the public but it’s not accessible to the public.” –John Armstrong, Retired Physicist, UMass Foundation Board Member