UniverCity Year - Dane County
UniverCity Year partnered with Dane County in UCY’s initial year in 2017 and continued the partnership through 2019. In this partnership, UniverCity Year worked with the Dane County Board of Supervisors to advance equity and sustainability in Dane County. These projects specifically focused on closing the housing gap, economic development, efficient use of county services, and water quality and nutrient management. By focusing on these elements, this partnership helped improve a vast majority of Wisconsin residents in one of the largest populations in the state.
Outcomes
The partnership involved 389 students, 26 projects, 20 courses, 16 faculty. The projects involved work within 12 UW-Madison departments, eight UW-Madison schools and colleges, with five Dane County project leads and two UW-Madison staff. -Students analyzed 95 parcels through the county and assessed the feasibility of future workforce housing developments -Students worked to reduce food insecurity and increase access to affordable childcare by researching case studies of local and national organizations using cooperative business models. Communication campaigns were used to increase CSA farms among low-income families. -Students investigated options for using the Alliant Energy Center grounds for pop-up shops, which have since been used.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Gavin Luter
Managing Director, UniverCity Alliance
- Department/Unit
- Department of Sociology
- School or College
- College of Letters & Science