Princeton Inprinceton
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Princeton in Princeton The Princeton community and Princeton University share more than just a name. The town and the campus intersect in many ways, each contributing to the other. Below are highlights of the numerous ways Princeton University seeks to support its host community. For a complete list of Princeton University’s contributions to the town and region, visit www.princeton.edu/community. Financial Contributions to Princeton For decades, Princeton University has made voluntary contribu- purchaser of goods and services. Additionally, visitors to the tions to the Municipality of Princeton. The most recent agreement, University pay hotel taxes and parking meter fees that accrue to adopted in 2014, provides that the University make annual, the municipal budget. unrestricted cash contributions totaling nearly $22 million over seven years, cash contributions of $1.9 million to be used for In rating the municipality, Moody’s cites the “stabilizing presence specifi c projects, and donate land on Franklin Avenue valued at of Princeton University and notes that “Princeton University con- approximately $1 million. In 2017 the University’s voluntary contri tributes to the municipality’s strong local economy”. Its Aaa rating bution to the municipality was $3.09 million. reduces the town’s borrowing costs below the costs of many other municipalities. The University is the largest property taxpayer in the $3,500,000 municipality, paying $11.5 million in property and sewer taxes in fi scal year 2017. This total includes about $5.7 million in $3,000,000 voluntary tax payments for properties that are eligible for exemption from property taxes; for decades, the University has $2,500,000 left many exempt properties, including graduate student housing, campus roads and some athletic facilities, on the municipal $2,000,000 tax rolls. In addition, Princeton University is the largest single contributor to the Princeton Public Schools and paid $4.4 million $1,500,000 in school taxes in 2017. $1,000,000 In addition to providing signifi cant tax and voluntary payments to the Municipality of Princeton, Princeton University is an engine $500,000 of commerce and contributes significantly to the overall econ 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 omy within Princeton. The University is the largest employer and Annual Voluntary Contribution to Municipality of Princeton Building Community Capacity The University has long been committed to supporting initiatives construction and endowment of the Princeton Public Library to the that enrich the quality of life in Princeton. The University has been construction of new facilities for the Princeton Public Schools, and a key partner in expanding local affordable housing. Most recently, to the renovation of such community resources as the Princeton it created 56 units of affordable housing through the construction Community Pool, Princeton Battle Monument, and the YMCA/ of Merwick Stanworth, and nine units on Leigh Avenue. YWCA. Through its ownership of the Princeton Garden Theater, the University ensures that Princeton enjoys a movie theater in town. Over the years the University has made contributions to an array of local projects and non-profi t organizations, ranging from the Strengthening Community Infrastructure The University operates the “TigerTransit” bus system, which is which are open to the public. In addition to paying taxes on these free and open to the public, providing more than 500,000 pas- roads, the University maintains them at its own expense, includ senger riders per year. Free public parking is available evenings ing snow removal. and weekend in most University lots and garages. In 2017 the university contributed $250,000 to Mercer County The University owns approximately fi ve miles of roads in the to support plans to reconstruct aging bridge infrastructure on Municipality of Princeton, such as Faculty Road and College Road, Alexander Street. Civic Engagement Princeton’s teaching and research mission has service at its core, Additionally, through TigerChallenge, Princeton students engage and students, faculty and staff volunteer with many community with local officials and organizations to tackle some of the com- organizations. This engagement with the local community begins munity’s most challenging issues. The “OneRoof” project team for many students before they even take their first class, through took on an evaluation of local affordable housing applications Orientation’s Community Action program. The University has a processes and suggested changes that have since been imple long history of working with the Princeton Nursery School, Arts mented. Student teams are working with municipal officials Council of Princeton and numerous other organizations that to create a plan to reduce contamination in the organic waste meet the needs of local residents and create a fully inclusive and program, and with the Princeton Public Library and the Princeton supportive community. Public Schools on initiatives to combat teen stress. Excellence in Education Princeton University extends its education and research mission to community members through numerous programs and initiatives. DID YOU Students at local high schools, including Princeton High School, can take coursework at the University; various University initiatives provide KNOW ? tutoring to public school students; and Princeton runs a rigorous pre paratory program for economically disadvantaged students in the area. There are eight cell Almost half of Community Auditing program participants are Princeton phone towers located on residents, which enrolls them in University classes for a modest fee, University buildings, which and thousands more attend hundreds of free public lectures each year is why you see so few cell on campus. The Cotsen Children’s Library is open to the public at no towers in town. cost, and provides literacy resources for local elementary schools. Tiger Transit provides free Cultural and Athletic Resources transportation between Palmer Square and the The Princeton University Art Museum is free and open to the public and provides numerous community programs and educational events. Penn Medicine Princeton In addition the University Chapel, the Music Department, the Lewis Medical Center. Center for the Arts, Princeton University Concerts and McCarter Theater provide a wide variety of arts and cultural performances year-round. There are 20 bike stations Athletic events are another opportunity for community members to con and 130 bikes located nect with the University — of the 243 regular-season Princeton athletic on campus as part of the home games last year, 193 were free to the public. Campus athletic community -wide Princeton facilities are regularly used by the community’s youth sports programs Bike Share program. and local recreation programs. Lake Carnegie provides a popular com munity recreation area for rowing, fishing, canoeing and ice skating. Promoting Public Safety The University’s Public Safety department has 72 sworn and non- In 2017 the University contributed $500,000 toward the sworn officers and operates 24 hours per day/365 days per year purchase of a new fire truck for PFD. — in close collaboration with the Princeton Police Department — to foster campus and community safety. Likewise, the University supports the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad (PFARS) through annual contributions and in-kind The University supports the Princeton Fire Department (PFD) with services such as housing and telecommunications support. In annual financial contributions and major capital gifts, and proudly 2017, it awarded $500,000 toward the construction of PFARS’ makes it possible for University employees to serve as volunteers new headquarters. with the department during their paid work hours. University employees spend more than 1,200 hours a year responding to The University collaborates regularly with the municipality and calls and attending training. Mercer County to support emergency communications systems and training exercises. Office of Community and Regional Affairs www.princeton.edu/community • 609-258-3204 © 2018 The Trustees of Princeton University .