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Clemson University is ranked second among American schools for best town-gown relations in the 2009 edition of ÒThe Best 368 Colleges,Ó published by The Princeton Review.

CLEMSON — Town-gown relations have long been a boon for Clemson University and its host city. Now, the university and municipality have received new recognition for their cooperation.

The university is ranked second among American schools for best town-gown relations in the 2009 edition of “The Best 368 Colleges,” published by The Princeton Review.

Clemson is the only public school falling in the category’s top five. The other institutions include (in descending rank): Wheaton College (Ill.), Ripon College (Wis.), Saint Michael's College (Vt.) and Stephens College (Mo.).

Princeton Review Senior Editor Rebecca Lessen said Clemson’s high finish amid pricier schools was significant but not surprising.

“Even though Clemson is a public school, it has a lot of traits of a private school, with their very high test scores and GPAs,” Lessen said. “Even their name, it’s not ‘University of ...,’ it’s Clemson University.”

Clemson relations have been on the Princeton radar for a while. During the last four years, Clemson University has moved from number 16 in the town-gown category to its present height. Lessen said the bond goes all the way back to the university’s land-grant roots, while Clemson City Administrator Rick Cotton said the relationship was “just as good three or four year ago.”

“The rankings have just caught up,” said Cotton, who has served as administrator for 13 years. “I think in regards to town-gown or the neighbor living next to you in the subdivision, good relations means better quality of life and experience.”

A willingness to work together and open communication were keys in maintaining town-gown ties, Cotton said. For example, city and university leaders perform yearly exchange visits to “see what we can each do better.”

“We don’t take each other for granted,” Cotton said. “I think it’s because we’re intertwined in so many ways, with public safety, police and fire departments working together. It’s a cross-pollination that allows the city and university to work together well and communicate better.”

The Princeton Review rankings were compiled from more than 120,000 student surveys. One of the comments from Clemson students noted the city is “completely devoted to the school.”

According to Clemson University Assistant Campus Master Planner Peter M. Knudsen, positive town-gown relations in have directly led to service and economic benefits for both sides. He cited Clemson Area Transit (CAT), the Clemson University Fire Department and the annual Welcome Back Festival as prime examples.

“Through joint funding, both partners can offset costs and make the most of their resources,” Knudsen said. “The Joint City/University Advisory Board meets monthly during the academic year to discuss any issues that may arise within the community. This advisory board includes members from the university and city that represent law enforcement, city management, student affairs, city planning, campus planning, the Chamber of Commerce, etc.”

Although the annual State of Clemson addresses address current issues, including state funding dilemmas, the sessions are mostly mutual appreciation speeches between university and city leaders, lacking everything but “I Got You Babe” piped overhead.

But Clemson’s town-gown story may not have reached its apex. Plans are in the works for a National Town Gown Association. Clemson is presently working with an attorney to establish a 501c3 non-profit organization for this purpose. Potential founding members for the association, including Montana State University, University of Georgia, Arizona State and Murray State, have been contacted.

Although Clemson considers itself vanguard in its town-gown undertakings, the university has benchmarked other institutions in this area, including the University of Georgia, Virginia Tech and Auburn University.

According to Lessen, town-gown status has become increasingly important for students looking at where to attend college.

“The university experience isn’t just in the classroom,” she said. “Students want to know what the community is going to be like, and they want to be welcome there.”