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| ===== History ===== | ===== History ===== |
| [{{ :1877_hartford_loc.jpg?600|Hartford in 1877 with the proposed new Trinity College Summit Campus (center-left). Photo credit: [[https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3784h.pm000804/|Library of Congress.]]}}] | [{{ :1877_hartford_loc.jpg?400|Hartford in 1877 with the proposed new Trinity College Summit Campus (top-left). Photo credit: [[https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3784h.pm000804/|Library of Congress.]]}}] |
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| //Various tribes, all part of the loose Algonquin confederation, lived in or around present-day Hartford. These included the Podunks, mostly east of the Connecticut River; the Poquonocks, north and west of Hartford; the Massacoes, in the Granby-Simsbury area; the Tunxis tribe, in West Hartford and Farmington; the Wangunks, to the south; and the Saukiogs in Hartford itself. Saukiog, or as it is sometimes spelled, Sickaog or Suckiaug, was the Native American name for Hartford.// (([[https://www.foundersofhartford.org/historic-hartford/history-of-early-hartford/|The History of Early Hartford]])) | //Various tribes, all part of the loose Algonquin confederation, lived in or around present-day Hartford. These included the Podunks, mostly east of the Connecticut River; the Poquonocks, north and west of Hartford; the Massacoes, in the Granby-Simsbury area; the Tunxis tribe, in West Hartford and Farmington; the Wangunks, to the south; and the Saukiogs in Hartford itself. Saukiog, or as it is sometimes spelled, Sickaog or Suckiaug, was the Native American name for Hartford.// (([[https://www.foundersofhartford.org/historic-hartford/history-of-early-hartford/|The History of Early Hartford]])) |
| //Because it lay outside the authority of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Hartford assemblage needed its own authority to govern. In 1638, the General Court (legislative body), meeting in Hartford, adopted the Fundamental Orders, often described as America's first written constitution and the reason why Connecticut's official nickname is the Constitution State. The Orders, inspired in part by Hooker’s assertion in a sermon that “the foundation of authority is laid, firstly, in the free consent of the people,” set up an independent government and established Connecticut as a commonwealth.// (([[https://www.foundersofhartford.org/historic-hartford/history-of-early-hartford/|The History of Early Hartford]])) | //Because it lay outside the authority of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Hartford assemblage needed its own authority to govern. In 1638, the General Court (legislative body), meeting in Hartford, adopted the Fundamental Orders, often described as America's first written constitution and the reason why Connecticut's official nickname is the Constitution State. The Orders, inspired in part by Hooker’s assertion in a sermon that “the foundation of authority is laid, firstly, in the free consent of the people,” set up an independent government and established Connecticut as a commonwealth.// (([[https://www.foundersofhartford.org/historic-hartford/history-of-early-hartford/|The History of Early Hartford]])) |
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| Connecticut was granted a Royal Charter in 1662 by King Charles II, which granted the colony an extraordinary ability to self-govern. After Charles' death, his brother King James II attempted to establish a Dominion of New England by retrieving all Royal Charters. He sent delegate Edmond Andros to Hartford to meet with Connecticut leaders and confiscate the charter, but according to legend, the Charter was spirited away and hidden in a large oak tree during the meeting. The tree was called the Charter Oak, a massive and ancient tree that stood on Charter Oak Avenue halfway between Main Street and Charter Oak Place, until it blew down in a storm on August 21, 1856. The Charter Oak remains an important symbol in Connecticut and reinforces the nickname "Constitution State." | Connecticut was granted a Royal Charter in 1662 by King Charles II, which gave the colony an extraordinary ability to self-govern. After Charles' death, his brother King James II attempted to establish a Dominion of New England by retrieving all Royal Charters. He sent delegate Edmond Andros to Hartford to meet with Connecticut leaders and confiscate the charter, but according to legend, the Charter was spirited away and hidden in a large oak tree during the meeting. The tree was called the Charter Oak, a massive and ancient tree that stood on Charter Oak Avenue halfway between Main Street and Charter Oak Place, until it blew down in a storm on August 21, 1856. The Charter Oak remains an important symbol in Connecticut and reinforces the nickname "Constitution State." |
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| Over time, Hartford grew to be one of the most prosperous cities in the nation, and by the late-19th century, was the wealthiest city in the country. Hartford, which is known as the Insurance Capitol of the World, was also a hotbed of manufacturing and publishing during the 19th century, producing the following famous companies: | Over time, Hartford grew to be one of the most prosperous cities in the nation, and by the late-19th century, was the wealthiest city in the country. Hartford, which is known as the Insurance Capitol of the World, was also a hotbed of manufacturing and publishing during the 19th century, producing the following famous companies: |
| * Columbia Bicycles | * Columbia Bicycles |
| * Lockwood & Case (formerly Tiffany & Case) Publishing | * Lockwood & Case (formerly Tiffany & Case) Publishing |
| * //The Connecticut (now Hartford) Courant//, America's oldest newspaper | * //The Connecticut// (now //Hartford//) //Courant//, America's oldest newspaper |
| * //The Hartford Times// | * //The Hartford Times// |
| * Hartford Machine Screw | * Hartford Machine Screw |
| Hartford, however, suffered a steady decline in the 20th century, especially during the 1990s, due to a variety of factors, including a nationwide recession. In 1990, Hartford's poverty rate was 27.5 percent, one of the highest of any city in the country. At the same time, Hartford's population was declining rapidly (dropping over 11 percent between 1990-1994, the largest in the nation at that time); mainly white middle- and upper-class families were leaving, and with them went businesses and industry (such as iconic department stores), leaving behind a city that could not expand, that was growing poorer, and which could not attract visitors. | Hartford, however, suffered a steady decline in the 20th century, especially during the 1990s, due to a variety of factors, including a nationwide recession. In 1990, Hartford's poverty rate was 27.5 percent, one of the highest of any city in the country. At the same time, Hartford's population was declining rapidly (dropping over 11 percent between 1990-1994, the largest in the nation at that time); mainly white middle- and upper-class families were leaving, and with them went businesses and industry (such as iconic department stores), leaving behind a city that could not expand, that was growing poorer, and which could not attract visitors. |
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| The 21st century brought a new "huys de hoop" to Hartford: many projects and initiatives have been underway beginning in the 2000s that aim to revitalize the city by making it greener, more mobile, workable and livable, by cultivating the arts, improving streetscapes, renovating and building new housing, improving parks and trails, and performing mobility studies. These initiatives support a [[https://www.hartfordct.gov/Government/Departments/DDS/DDS-Divisions/Planning-Zoning/City-Plan|City Plan]] to improve Hartford by 2035, its 400th birthday. | The 21st century has brought a new "huys de hoop" to Hartford: many projects and initiatives have been underway beginning in the 2000s that aim to revitalize the city by making it greener, more mobile, workable, and livable; by cultivating the arts; improving streetscapes; renovating and building new housing; improving parks and trails; and performing mobility studies. These initiatives support a [[https://www.hartfordct.gov/Government/Departments/DDS/DDS-Divisions/Planning-Zoning/City-Plan|City Plan]] to improve Hartford by 2035, its 400th birthday. |
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| //In 2002, the $770 million Adriaen’s Landing Project began. The project was slated to create a hotel, apartments, restaurants, shops, entertainment stops, a museum, and a large convention center. A now iconic part of the development project is the Connecticut Science Center, whose total revenue was over $10 million in 2017. This project, by 2030, is projected to have increased the personal income of Hartford residents by $77.80 million, the Gross State Product in Hartford county to $145.88 million, and the Hartford county population by 1,306.// (([[http://scholarscollaborative.org/Hartford/social-issues/hartfords-economic-woes-of-the-1990s-what-occurred-and-how-hartford-plans-to-bounce-back/|Styles]])) | //In 2002, the $770 million Adriaen’s Landing Project began. The project was slated to create a hotel, apartments, restaurants, shops, entertainment stops, a museum, and a large convention center. A now iconic part of the development project is the Connecticut Science Center, whose total revenue was over $10 million in 2017. This project, by 2030, is projected to have increased the personal income of Hartford residents by $77.80 million, the Gross State Product in Hartford county to $145.88 million, and the Hartford county population by 1,306.// (([[http://scholarscollaborative.org/Hartford/social-issues/hartfords-economic-woes-of-the-1990s-what-occurred-and-how-hartford-plans-to-bounce-back/|Styles]])) |
| ===== College Sites ===== | ===== College Sites ===== |
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| [{{ :2022-11-atmospheric-november.jpg?600|Trinity College Summit Campus with the Hartford Skyline in the background. Photo credit: Trinity College.}}] | [{{ :2022-11-atmospheric-november.jpg?400|Trinity College Summit Campus with the Hartford Skyline in the background. Photo credit: Trinity College.}}] |
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| Trinity College has resided on two sites in Hartford during its history: the [[old_campus|original campus]] on the current site of the Capitol building by Bushnell Park (1823-1878) and its current location on [[summit_campus|Summit Street]] (1878-present). Trinity acquired two satellite locations in Downtown Hartford in [[constitution_plaza|Constitution Plaza]] during the 2010s. | Trinity College has resided on two sites in Hartford during its history: the [[old_campus|original campus]] on the current site of the Capitol building by Bushnell Park (1823-1878) and its current location on [[summit_campus|Summit Street]] (1878-present). Trinity acquired two satellite locations in Downtown Hartford in [[constitution_plaza|Constitution Plaza]] during the 2010s. |
| ==== Constitution Plaza ==== | ==== Constitution Plaza ==== |
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| Trinity again looked to downtown Hartford as an ideal place to expand during the 21st century. In December 2017, Trinity College opened 10 [[constitution_plaza|Constitution Plaza]], a space for its [[liberal_arts_action_lab|Liberal Arts Action Lab]], a collaboration with Capital Community College to research and solve real-world problems. Trinity also acquired One Constitution Plaza for use as the [[trinity_innovation_center|Innovation Center]], a collaboration with Infosys, which opened in February 2020. | Trinity again looked to downtown Hartford as an ideal place to expand during the 21st century. In December 2017, Trinity College opened 10 Constitution Plaza, a space for its [[liberal_arts_action_lab|Liberal Arts Action Lab]], a collaboration with Capital Community College to research and solve real-world problems. Trinity also acquired One Constitution Plaza for use as the [[trinity_innovation_center|Innovation Center]], a collaboration with Infosys, which opened in February 2020. |
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| ===== Relationship with Trinity ===== | ===== Relationship with Trinity ===== |
| Glenn Weaver in the //History of Trinity College// described a "chasm which had always existed between the College community and the local citizenry," which "widened" beginning in the 1850s, as Hartford's population boomed. He wrote, "The collegians had become spectators at, rather than participants in, the life of the city." | Glenn Weaver in the //History of Trinity College// described a "chasm which had always existed between the College community and the local citizenry," which "widened" beginning in the 1850s, as Hartford's population boomed. He wrote, "The collegians had become spectators at, rather than participants in, the life of the city." |
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| The College sought to mend the "lack of rapport with the Hartford Community" by offering public lectures, which were poorly attended. Faculty seeking tax exemptions did not help matters, and "an examination of the campus life of the 1850s would more than suggest that life on College Hill went on almost oblivious of that of the bustling little city across the park." ((Weaver, pp. 101-102.)) The //Hartford Courant//, however, regularly published news on the College including student events, new professorships, acquisitions for collections, and lectures. | The College sought to mend the "lack of rapport with the Hartford Community" by offering public lectures, which were poorly attended. Faculty seeking tax exemptions did not help matters, and "an examination of the campus life of the 1850s would more than suggest that life on College Hill went on almost oblivious of that of the bustling little city across the park." ((Weaver, pp. 101-102.)) The //Hartford Courant//, however, regularly published news on the College, including student events, new professorships, acquisitions for collections, and lectures. |
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| At the same time, Trinity College remained small and the administration realized that Hartford families were sending their sons elsewhere. In December 1856, editorials began to appear in the //Hartford Daily Courant// written under the pen name "Justitia" (likely the College president) in a series called "Has the City of Hartford an Interest in Her Own College?" The series, which consisted of five articles, refuted several misconceptions or "objections" that Hartford families levied against Trinity and prevented them from admitting their sons: that Trinity was "sectarian," that it was too small (which, Justitia argued, could be remedied if Hartford families would "send their sons to Trinity" instead of elsewhere), and that it was too young and therefore inferior to other institutions. | At the same time, Trinity College remained small and the administration realized that Hartford families were sending their sons elsewhere. In December 1856, editorials began to appear in the //Hartford Daily Courant// written under the pen name "Justitia" (likely the College president) in a series called "Has the City of Hartford an Interest in Her Own College?" The series, which consisted of five articles, refuted several misconceptions or "objections" that Hartford families levied against Trinity: that Trinity was "sectarian," that it was too small (which, Justitia argued, could be remedied if Hartford families would "send their sons to Trinity" instead of elsewhere), and that it was too young and therefore inferior to other institutions. |
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| "At Hartford," Justitia wrote, "almost every body that speaks or inquires about Trinity College calls it 'your College'--as though it were an intruder, as if it belonged to some other party, as if neither he nor the city had any proper interest in its welfare...Let Hartford people follow the example of other cities and, dropping their cold, repulsive 'your College,' learn to say 'Our College,' 'Our Own Trinity College.'" ((Hartford Courant, 12/13/1856.)) A "prosperous College" would "only contribute to [Hartford's] growth and prosperity, attract visitors and new residents, and would be "an important element in the reputation of a city." | "At Hartford," Justitia wrote, "almost every body that speaks or inquires about Trinity College calls it 'your College'--as though it were an intruder, as if it belonged to some other party, as if neither he nor the city had any proper interest in its welfare...Let Hartford people follow the example of other cities and, dropping their cold, repulsive 'your College,' learn to say 'Our College,' 'Our Own Trinity College.'" ((Hartford Courant, 12/13/1856.)) A "prosperous College" would "only contribute to [Hartford's] growth and prosperity, attract visitors and new residents, and would be "an important element in the reputation of a city." |
| Baldwin views Trinity's move out of downtown Hartford to Summit Street as asserting its exclusivity by removing itself from the urban sprawl to a pastoral retreat: "this new rural location, outside the City, gave the school a physical profile that reinforced its place alongside other prestigious New England colleges." This new profile may or may not have been intentional, as the Trustees were reluctant at first to move the campus and refused several offers for it. Students and alumni, as well as members of the public, were unhappy with the selection of the Rocky Hill site. The public felt that the College would now be inaccessible to them, while students and alumni felt the College would be too isolated, and now located among "Pigvilles," or areas that were populated with poor, immigrants, and minorities. The //Courant//, meanwhile, said that "this movement of the College...creating a region of beauty and healthfulness, will give a great impulse to progress and improvement in that section of the city." ((Hartford Courant, 17 Feb 1873.)) | Baldwin views Trinity's move out of downtown Hartford to Summit Street as asserting its exclusivity by removing itself from the urban sprawl to a pastoral retreat: "this new rural location, outside the City, gave the school a physical profile that reinforced its place alongside other prestigious New England colleges." This new profile may or may not have been intentional, as the Trustees were reluctant at first to move the campus and refused several offers for it. Students and alumni, as well as members of the public, were unhappy with the selection of the Rocky Hill site. The public felt that the College would now be inaccessible to them, while students and alumni felt the College would be too isolated, and now located among "Pigvilles," or areas that were populated with poor, immigrants, and minorities. The //Courant//, meanwhile, said that "this movement of the College...creating a region of beauty and healthfulness, will give a great impulse to progress and improvement in that section of the city." ((Hartford Courant, 17 Feb 1873.)) |
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| An anonymous author "X" wrote to the //Courant// that "in fixing the new site...the committee of the trustees have so wholly ignored the Hartford public that it might seem as if the latter had, or was expected to have, no interest in the matter." Instead the committee selected a site "as far removed as possible from a majority of inhabitants and not easy of access from any quarter." This was to be a disadvantage, according to X, as now "students from a great portion of the city could be as conveniently sent to Yale or Harvard as to Trinity." ((Hartford Courant, 22 Feb 1873.)) Another article, written by "Civis," states that the public's opinions were divided according to their own preferences, and that upon looking at the College Catalogues, the number of students originating from Hartford was only about five percent. | An anonymous author "X" wrote to the //Courant// that "in fixing the new site...the committee of the trustees have so wholly ignored the Hartford public that it might seem as if the latter had, or was expected to have, no interest in the matter." Instead, the committee selected a site "as far removed as possible from a majority of inhabitants and not easy of access from any quarter." This was to be a disadvantage, according to X, as now "students from a great portion of the city could be as conveniently sent to Yale or Harvard as to Trinity." ((Hartford Courant, 22 Feb 1873.)) Another article, written by "Civis," states that the public's opinions were divided according to their own preferences, and that upon looking at the College Catalogues, the number of students originating from Hartford was only about five percent. |
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| ==== 1900-1959 ==== | ==== 1900-1959 ==== |
| In 1925, Trinity took great steps toward providing instruction to members of the Hartford community, in response to demand. Called "Extension studies," these programs eventually developed into the graduate and summer studies courses. In 1919, Trinity entered into an arrangement with the Hillyer Institute, in which Trinity faculty would teach courses at the Hartford YMCA, but the program never went into effect. Instead, the College began offering courses to the Hartford school system teachers in 1925; the courses were taught at the undergraduate and graduate level, and in WWII it shifted from Hartford Public High School to the Trinity campus. | In 1925, Trinity took great steps toward providing instruction to members of the Hartford community, in response to demand. Called "Extension studies," these programs eventually developed into the graduate and summer studies courses. In 1919, Trinity entered into an arrangement with the Hillyer Institute, in which Trinity faculty would teach courses at the Hartford YMCA, but the program never went into effect. Instead, the College began offering courses to the Hartford school system teachers in 1925; the courses were taught at the undergraduate and graduate level, and in WWII it shifted from Hartford Public High School to the Trinity campus. |
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| In 1928, President [[ogilby_remsen_brinckerhoff|Ogilby]] announced a shift away from admitting Day Students from Hartford, increasing enrollment to 500 but capping the number of Hartford students at 125. And, concerned about the future of the fraternity system, alumni "canvassed the preparatory schools in the New York and Philadelphia areas, and among the increasing number of undergraduates there was soon to be found a proportionately larger number of men from the better preparatory schools." ((Weaver, p. 300.)) The 1930s was "one of the College's most prosperous and progressive periods," where it "regained its national clientele" and left the nickname "Hartford Local" behind. | In 1928, President [[ogilby_remsen_brinckerhoff|Remsen Brinckerhoff Ogilby]] announced a shift away from admitting Day Students from Hartford, increasing enrollment to 500 but capping the number of Hartford students at 125. And, concerned about the future of the [[fraternities|fraternity]] system, alumni "canvassed the preparatory schools in the New York and Philadelphia areas, and among the increasing number of undergraduates there was soon to be found a proportionately larger number of men from the better preparatory schools." ((Weaver, p. 300.)) The 1930s were "one of the College's most prosperous and progressive periods," where it "regained its national clientele" and left the nickname "Hartford Local" behind. |
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| In 1936, President Ogilby wrote in his annual report that Trinity was a Hartford attraction for tourists, particularly the [[chapel|Chapel]], [[clement_chemistry_building|Chemistry Laboratories]], and [[museum_of_natural_history|Natural History Museum]], which was open to the public several days a week. "Through the years," he wrote, "we have provided opportunity for higher education of a selected group of young men from this community, who perhaps for financial reasons would otherwise be unable to go to college." He continued that the values and influence Trinity had over the city "should bulk large in the pride Hartford rightly takes in its college. We should bind the city to us with hoops of steel." | In 1936, President Ogilby wrote in his annual report that Trinity was a Hartford attraction for tourists, particularly the [[chapel|Chapel]], [[clement_chemistry_building|Chemistry Laboratories]], and [[museum_of_natural_history|Natural History Museum]], which was open to the public several days a week. "Through the years," he wrote, "we have provided opportunity for higher education of a selected group of young men from this community, who perhaps for financial reasons would otherwise be unable to go to college." He continued that the values and influence Trinity had over the city "should bulk large in the pride Hartford rightly takes in its college. We should bind the city to us with hoops of steel." |
| At the same time, there were a rash of incidents involving Trinity students and Hartford residents, leading to high tensions and declining relationships. In 1986, Hartford resident Eric Malloy was invited to a Trinity party, after which he was assaulted by Trinity students and hospitalized with bruised ribs and a concussion. The assault led to varied opinions: that Trinity students needed to integrate with the Hartford community more and stop viewing their neighbors as outsiders, and that Trinity had plenty of opportunities for community engagement. | At the same time, there were a rash of incidents involving Trinity students and Hartford residents, leading to high tensions and declining relationships. In 1986, Hartford resident Eric Malloy was invited to a Trinity party, after which he was assaulted by Trinity students and hospitalized with bruised ribs and a concussion. The assault led to varied opinions: that Trinity students needed to integrate with the Hartford community more and stop viewing their neighbors as outsiders, and that Trinity had plenty of opportunities for community engagement. |
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| President [[gerety_tom|Tom Gerety]] was inaugurated in 1989, during which he affirmed Trinity's commitment to Hartford, a city which "sustains and surrounds us in all that we do." He promised investing in housing and businesses, to create incentives for faculty and staff to live in Hartford, and to better integrate Trinity into the Hartford community by diversifying and improving the curriculum. Gerety immediately launched a strategic planning initiative which included "becoming 'more fully //of// this city,'" by "employing to greater advantage our institutional resources, and providing a range of services to, and opportunities for, our neighbors." Part of this plan included the creation of the Cities Program, and "widespread inclusion of urban themes in courses." | President [[gerety_tom|Tom Gerety]] was inaugurated in 1989, during which he affirmed Trinity's commitment to Hartford, a city which "sustains and surrounds us in all that we do." He promised to invest in housing and businesses, to create incentives for faculty and staff to live in Hartford, and to better integrate Trinity into the Hartford community by diversifying and improving the curriculum. Gerety immediately launched a strategic planning initiative which included "becoming 'more fully //of// this city,'" by "employing to greater advantage our institutional resources, and providing a range of services to, and opportunities for, our neighbors." Part of this plan included the creation of the Cities Program, and "widespread inclusion of urban themes in courses." |
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| In 1994, the College petitioned the City of Hartford to close [[vernon_street|Vernon Street]] to the public by closing the intersection with Broad Street on the East side of Campus. The College cited concerns regarding "traffic safety," as cars often used Vernon Street as a shortcut. Councilman Anthony DiPentima stated that "enrollment is down because of crime and perceptions of crime," including gang violence and high-speed car chases through streets that directly crossed through or bordered the campus. The City agreed, and today Vernon Street ends in a cul-de-sac and iron fence, a move that was seen by some as isolationist, "signaling exclusivity and safety." | In 1994, the College petitioned the City of Hartford to close [[vernon_street|Vernon Street]] to the public by closing the intersection with Broad Street on the East side of Campus. The College cited concerns regarding "traffic safety," as cars often used Vernon Street as a shortcut. Councilman Anthony DiPentima stated that "enrollment is down because of crime and perceptions of crime," including gang violence and high-speed car chases through streets that directly crossed through or bordered the campus. The City agreed, and today Vernon Street ends in a cul-de-sac and iron fence, a move that was seen by some as isolationist, "signaling exclusivity and safety." |
| During the late 1990s, Trinity also began "an imaginative neighborhood revitalization effort supported by a pioneering private-public partnership between Trinity and its institutional neighbors, city, state, and federal government, foundations and corporations, and community and neighborhood groups," a project that came to be known as [[learning_corridor_initiative|The Learning Corridor]]. The initiative saw the transformation of a contaminated bus station (which Trinity had been attempting to acquire since the '60s) into elementary, middle, and high schools, a family resource center, and Boys & Girls Club (the first affiliated with a College or University) staffed by Trinity students. Groundbreaking for the Learning Corridor began on July 31, 1997. The Learning Corridor was part of a vision that Dobelle had called "Trinity Heights." | During the late 1990s, Trinity also began "an imaginative neighborhood revitalization effort supported by a pioneering private-public partnership between Trinity and its institutional neighbors, city, state, and federal government, foundations and corporations, and community and neighborhood groups," a project that came to be known as [[learning_corridor_initiative|The Learning Corridor]]. The initiative saw the transformation of a contaminated bus station (which Trinity had been attempting to acquire since the '60s) into elementary, middle, and high schools, a family resource center, and Boys & Girls Club (the first affiliated with a College or University) staffed by Trinity students. Groundbreaking for the Learning Corridor began on July 31, 1997. The Learning Corridor was part of a vision that Dobelle had called "Trinity Heights." |
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| Among other changes to the campus intended to bridge the campus with Hartford, the College's master plan included reopening Vernon Street as the main College entrance and "ceremonial front door," as well as creating entrances at New Britain Avenue/Allen Place and Crescent Street/New Britain Avenue. Reopening Vernon Street would also connect Trinity with the Learning Corridor. However, the new entrances were never completed, and Dobelle departed Trinity in 2000. | Among other changes intended to bridge the campus with Hartford, the College's master plan included reopening Vernon Street as the main College entrance and "ceremonial front door," as well as creating entrances at New Britain Avenue/Allen Place and Crescent Street/New Britain Avenue. Reopening Vernon Street would also connect Trinity with the Learning Corridor. However, the new entrances were never completed, and Dobelle departed Trinity in 2000. |
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| ==== 2001-Present ==== | ==== 2001-Present ==== |
| Trinity's next administration sought to pivot away from or even halt the progress toward integration, despite a sharp decline in City violence: "Images of urban divestment didn't help Trinity's brand when potential students conflated poverty with crime." According to Francisco Ortiz, the Director of Campus Safety in 2012, "there is a perception of high crime at Trinity, while the reality shows low numbers." Several high-profile building projects, including the [[crescent_street_townhouses|Crescent Street Townhouses]] (2010), displaced Hartford residents and eliminated the possibility of a 'bridge' to the neighborhood. | Trinity's next administration sought to pivot away from or even halt the progress toward integration, despite a sharp decline in City violence: "Images of urban divestment didn't help Trinity's brand when potential students conflated poverty with crime." According to Francisco Ortiz, the Director of [[campus_safety|Campus Safety]] in 2012, "there is a perception of high crime at Trinity, while the reality shows low numbers." Several high-profile building projects, including the [[crescent_street_townhouses|Crescent Street Townhouses]] (2010), displaced Hartford residents and eliminated the possibility of a 'bridge' to the neighborhood. |
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| Students of Color (24 percent of the Class of 2016) found themselves the target of questioning or harassment "because of the racial assumptions about crime and danger." As a result, they felt they always had to be "wearing Trinity apparel" to prove they were students and avoid profiling. | Students of Color (24 percent of the Class of 2016) found themselves the target of questioning or harassment "because of the racial assumptions about crime and danger." As a result, they felt they always had to be "wearing Trinity apparel" to prove they were students and avoid profiling. |
| Baldwin's book challenges the idea that it is the Hartford community members that are the true threat to student safety--rather, that it is their peers, citing sexual assaults and hard drug use rampant on campus. In 2020, students launched Instagram Accounts @BlackatTrin and @TrinSurvivors, which detailed experiences of students of color facing micro- and macroaggressions, as well as students who survived sexual assault or harassment, in an attempt to alert the administration to systemic racial and sexual violence issues in campus culture. | Baldwin's book challenges the idea that it is the Hartford community members that are the true threat to student safety--rather, that it is their peers, citing sexual assaults and hard drug use rampant on campus. In 2020, students launched Instagram Accounts @BlackatTrin and @TrinSurvivors, which detailed experiences of students of color facing micro- and macroaggressions, as well as students who survived sexual assault or harassment, in an attempt to alert the administration to systemic racial and sexual violence issues in campus culture. |
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| President [[berger-sweeney_joanne|Joanne Berger-Sweeney]] was inaugurated in 2014 and looked to downtown Hartford as a way to engage with Hartford, purchasing One and 10 Constitution Plaza. Partnering with Capital Community College, Trinity opened the Liberal Arts Action Lab in December 2017, a program which engages students in real-world problem-solving alongside Capital students. The following year, Trinity partnered with Infosys and opened the Innovation Center, which will "develop new educational programs that prepare liberal arts students and Infosys employees for the changing digital workplace." By opening these satellite locations, the College hopes students, faculty, and staff will engage more with Hartford and support its events, businesses, and spaces. | President [[berger-sweeney_joanne|Joanne Berger-Sweeney]] was inaugurated in 2014 and looked to downtown Hartford as a way to engage with the city, purchasing One and 10 Constitution Plaza. Partnering with Capital Community College, Trinity opened the Liberal Arts Action Lab in December 2017, a program which engages students in real-world problem-solving alongside Capital students. The following year, Trinity partnered with Infosys and opened the Innovation Center, which will "develop new educational programs that prepare liberal arts students and Infosys employees for the changing digital workplace." By opening these satellite locations, the College hopes students, faculty, and staff will engage more with Hartford and support its events, businesses, and spaces. |
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| Trinity has established several programs to foster ties to the College's surrounding urban environment. Through a major grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the [[center_for_urban_and_global_studies|Center for Urban and Global Studies (CUGS)]] was opened in 2007. Its academic programs include the Cities Program as well as Urban Studies major and minor. The College created a [[center_for_caribbean_studies|Center for Caribbean Studies]] in 2016, something that faculty member Pablo Delano and others advocated for almost 20 years. Co-directors Pablo Delano and Dario Euraque hope that the Center will form “a deep and reciprocal relationship with [Hartford's] Caribbean communities, one that is mutually beneficial and celebratory.” In 2023, Trinity announced a new graduate program in Urban Planning, the first at any Connecticut institution. Cross-listed with the Urban Studies Program, it features Hartford-centered as well as global city courses, hoping to "help address issues that cities face now and in the future." | Trinity has established several programs to foster ties to the College's surrounding urban environment. Through a major grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the [[center_for_urban_and_global_studies|Center for Urban and Global Studies (CUGS)]] was opened in 2007. Its academic programs include the Cities Program as well as Urban Studies major and minor. The College created a [[center_for_caribbean_studies|Center for Caribbean Studies]] in 2016, something that faculty member Pablo Delano and others advocated for almost 20 years. Co-directors Pablo Delano and Dario Euraque hope that the Center will form “a deep and reciprocal relationship with [Hartford's] Caribbean communities, one that is mutually beneficial and celebratory.” In 2023, Trinity announced a new graduate program in Urban Planning, the first at any Connecticut institution. Cross-listed with the Urban Studies Program, it features Hartford-centered as well as global city courses, hoping to "help address issues that cities face now and in the future." |
| Baldwin wrote in 2021, "The school is now peeking out again from behind the gates. And Hartford residents continue to take pride in the fact that such an esteemed institution sits in their city." | Baldwin wrote in 2021, "The school is now peeking out again from behind the gates. And Hartford residents continue to take pride in the fact that such an esteemed institution sits in their city." |
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| Trinity College celebrated its Bicentennial in 2023 with the theme, "Committed to the Future." | Trinity College celebrated its Bicentennial in 2023 with the theme, "Committed to the Future." |
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