Contact:
Andrew Petter, SFU president, 778.782.4641, petter@sfu.ca 
Shauna Sylvester, SFU Public Square, 778.782.7895, shauna_sylvester@sfu.ca
Scott McLean, SFU Vancouver, 778.782.5151, srmclean@sfu.ca
Catherine Clement, Vancouver Foundation, 604.688.2204, catherine.clement@vancouverfoundation.ca

Simon Fraser University President Andrew Petter and Chancellor Carole Taylor today officially launched SFU Public Square.

Designed to spark, restore, and nurture community connections, SFU Public Square puts the university’s physical, intellectual and virtual capacities to work to support public engagement and deliberation on issues of public concern.

The concept for SFU Public Square originated from the university’s year-long consultation process, which produced SFU’s strategic vision as “The Engaged University.”

“By bringing people together to seek the best possible solutions to the pressing issues we face, SFU Public Square reflects our commitment to be Canada’s most community-engaged research university,” says Petter.

Tuesday’s launch event also unveiled a new partnership between SFU and the Vancouver Foundation. In September, SFU Public Square will host its inaugural community summit, with a focus on the issue of isolation and disconnection in the urban environment, stemming from research conducted by SFU and the Vancouver Foundation.

“SFU Public Square addresses a need in this province for a neutral space in which fruitful dialogue and constructive public engagement can take place,” adds Taylor.

In anticipation of the formal launch of SFU Public Square, the university has already begun putting the concept into practice by facilitating the City of Vancouver Mayor’s Task Force on Affordable Housing, as well as hosting showcase community events including City Conversations and lunch poems @sfu.

For more information: http://www.sfu.ca/publicsquare

Vancouver Sun op-ed article: http://at.sfu.ca/MYpnsK

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Simon Fraser University: Engaging Students. Engaging Research. Engaging Communities.