Community and Regional Affairs

The CRA team is probably most visible to the largest number of people as the sponsor and/or co-producer of events and community service initiatives and activities enjoyed by tens of thousands of residents in the region. Management of some of these events and programs means taking on financial responsibility, as well as programmatic.

Community Auditing Program (CAP) - The Community Auditing Program enables members of the community to register to "audit" or sit in on lecture classes at the University. On the average, 200 classes each semester are available for auditing. This program, increasingly popular thanks to the burgeoning population of retirees in the area, has approximately 650 registrants per semester, 150 of whom are alumni or alumni, faculty, staff related. In addition to being a vehicle that provides a way for people to audit classes, CAP features special lectures and receptions for the auditors. The auditing program has particular significance for New Jersey teachers who may satisfy their professional development requirements through participation in CAP.

Program in Continuing Education - The CRA office also administers the Program in Continuing Education, in which individuals become officially registered students, pay full tuition per course, get a transcript and credit that may be used towards a degree at other institutions of higher education. In addition, teachers certified to teach in New Jersey may participate in the Program in Continuing Education at a greatly discounted fee – the same fee charged to Princeton University faculty and staff. In the past two years, the number of Continuing Education students has tripled- from 20 to 60 students. More PU staff and NJ teachers are signing up as Continuing Education students.
Surplus Equipment Program - The CRA office is the point of first contact for those local charitable non-profit organizations who need furniture and equipment that the University no longer is using. We process hundreds of requests per year.
Community Use of University Facilities Program - In conjunction with the University Office of Conference and Events Services and the Office of University Services, the CRA staff responds to requests from local non-University community charitable non-profit organizations who want to use University buildings/premises.
Clothing Drive - The CRA staff helps to organize and manage this major effort to provide “gently used” professional/office attire to those seeking employment.
Events - Working with community groups, regional and local government officials, and other University departments, the CRA team is responsible for or takes the leading role in such activities as:
- Communiversity - a town/gown spring arts and entertainment festival representing a collaboration between the University and the Arts Council of Princeton; it features food, entertainment, special architecture tours of the University, and artwork from students and area residents;
- Princeton Human Services Commission events on race relations;
- Memorial Day Parade, a collaboration with The Spirit of Princeton community organization;
- Fourth of July Community Fireworks, a collaboration with The Spirit of Princeton community organization;
- June Fete - a summer festival at the Princeton University Stadium to benefit the Foundation of the University Medical Center at Princeton;
- Community Day at the Princeton Stadium - a major pre-football celebration, featuring a Community Service Information Fair (50 non-profit organizations publicize their missions, track meet, entertainment, food, and prizes.
- A variety of other community service initiatives in conjunction with the University’s Pace Center and other community service organizations on campus (Community Based Learning Initiative, Community House, Student Volunteers Council, P-Votes, Undergraduate Student Government, Graduate Student Government, etc.); such initiatives include the annual Holiday Food Drive, Hire Attire Clothing Drive, End of Semester Furniture Pick-up; United Way Campaign, Princeton Summer Prep Program, the Office of Teacher Preparation’s High School Student Program, and the Rescue Mission Clothing Box.