By: Jennifer Gasiorek—
Muncie, IN – Ivy Tech Community College will host “Tidy Up” Tuesday on July 30th from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 2p.m. to 4p.m. The Tidy Up Tuesday initiative is a collaboration of Ivy Tech Community College, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, Muncie Delaware Clean & Beautiful and the City of Muncie coming together to keep our downtown clean and welcoming for all who will visit the downtown area. It will connect Ivy Tech students, staff and community volunteers with Muncie locals and business owners to clean up the downtown area every month before the First Thursday events.
“Ivy Tech is excited to team up with Downtown Development to tidy up the heart of the city,” said Chancellor Jeffrey D. Scott, “It is our desire to be good community neighbors, and to support Muncie through positive stewardship.”
The Tidy Up Tuesday initiative was created out of a desire to make the Downtown Muncie space as beautiful as possible for increased number of Ivy Tech students who will be a part of the downtown community beginning this fall. Currently Ivy Tech has more than 3,600 students at the Muncie campus with an estimated 2,500 downtown.
Muncie Downtown Development Partnership is a nationally accredited Main Street organization and Tidy Up Tuesday meets one of their criteria, which is a focus on design. “A few of the design requirements are to create an inviting, inclusive atmosphere and foster accessible, people centered public spaces. Tidy Up Tuesday, before every First Thursday, will contribute significantly to satisfying those design requirements and will encourage relationship building between downtown residents, employees and merchants with the Ivy Tech community,” said Vicki Veach, executive director, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership.
In addition, the First Thursday art walks bring large crowds every month. The next First Thursday event will take place on August 1, 2019 and the honorable Mayor Dennis Tyler has proclaimed Thursday, August 1, 2019 as Ivy Tech Community College Day. Ivy Tech will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly renovated John & Janice Fisher building as well as other fun events downtown.
“We want to share the building and renovations with the community,” said Scott. “Students who attend Ivy Tech Muncie/Henry County have always received a quality education that leads to high wage, high demand jobs, but now they can learn in a space that sparks creativity and innovation. Please join us August 1st to see this new space.”
Ivy Tech students, staff and community volunteers will meet at the Ivy Tech John and Janice Fisher building, located at 345 S. High Street, in the outside patio area to sign in and receive your Tidy Up assignment. If you would like to join us for one or both of the tidy up shifts or for any upcoming Tidy Up Tuesday event, please contact Alisa Wells, Director of Wraparound Services & Community Support at awells8@ivytech.edu or call 765-289-2291 ext. 1455.
The first 25 volunteers will receive a t-shirt.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College serves communities across Indiana, providing world-class education and driving economic transformation. It is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering high-value degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its communities, along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
