Student Government and the North Gate Merchants Association are teaming up to improve the area north of campus.
Owners of the 35 businesses that make up the association are hoping SG can help understand what students want from them. They are also hoping SG can help make the area a priority for the new chancellor.
SG is acting as the liaison between the University and the association of business owners, which was created to improve the “business, residential and social climate of the North Gates area of LSU,” according to its Web site.
The association includes Louie’s Cafe, The Chimes, The Venue, Smoothie King, Roly Poly, College Supply and Highland Coffees.
Clarke Cadzow, who owns Highland Coffees and belongs to the North Gate Merchants Association said, “We want our neighborhood to be attractive, pedestrian-friendly, fun and unique.”
He also said University students, faculty and staff are significant parts of the association’s customer base.
Because the merchants are located outside the University’s North Gates, many University affairs concern them, said Chris Odinet, Arts and Sciences SG senator and governmental relations chair.
Because SG has more contact with students than the association does, Cadzow said SG can help the association discover what students want from the area.
Odinet said the association and Alvin Burns, marketing department chair and professor, are creating a student survey to find what is appealing and unappealing about the North Gates area.
The Office of Computing Services will broadcast the survey by e-mail to all students once it is completed.
“Because we are always looking for ways to better understand and reach our customers, SG — with all of its involvement on campus — can be an important partner in helping us communicate with our valued neighbors at LSU,” Cadzow said.
SG and the association will also work to create an open dialogue between the association and the Chancellor’s Office.
Cadzow said the association wants to re-establish a relationship with the chancellor.
Odinet said, “We want to go to the new chancellor and ask the North Gates to be a priority for him, like it was for [former Chancellor Mark Emmert].”