<p>“many of them are urban universities just like UMCP”</p>
<p>Urban = hip and funky.</p>
<p>DC and Baltimore = hip and funky.</p>
<p>College Park is…neither. Despite its proximity to DC and a bunch of young, cool kids (lol) hanging around, it has not experienced the revitalization that areas like Takoma Park and Silver Spring have.</p>
<p>And ok, maybe hip and funky was like, wrong word choice, because I’m not saying there should be classical music halls around (not exactly what I associate with hip and funky, but ok). I’m talking like, chill coffee shops, chill independent businesses, music venues like the 9:30 club or Ottobar, not like the BSO. Haha. Most students in College Park would enjoy these things, it’s just a matter of making sure they are run well and appeal (cheap drinks perhaps? up-and-coming bands?).</p>
<p>(As an aside, Ithaca is ok for a small town but it’s pretty crappy lol. Not exactly what I was thinking.)</p>
<p>Chapel Hill and Anne Arbor and Austin and Charlottesville and towns surrounding many other flagships are >>>> College Park. Flagship state unis are often assoicated with thriving towns, in fact. </p>
<p>I don’t think the university can necessarily DIRECTLY do anything but I think it’s an issue students can and should be concerned about. I do believe that improving the town will improve the prestige of the university, and I think there is a way for it to be done…I am not the roll over and die type ;).</p>