The New Face of Truman: CCC PR Gives Truman an Appealing Look

Blue and Black Posters Overlook Truman's Main Building

I came to school a little before 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning this week. Interestingly, blue and black posters attracted my eyes at the two gates off Wilson Street between the ‘EL’ bridge and Racine stop signal.

4-pair CCC Posters Rise Over a Pedestrian Sidewalk Under Construction

Four pairs of posters hanged vertically on black light poles rise over barbed wires on an under construction sidewalk to announce City Colleges of Chicago’s (CCC) ongoing reinvention program. The word reinvention appears in green concentric circles right below the slogan, “Building the Foundation for Success.”

The posters are, so far, the best public relations (PR) exercise CCC installed on our campus in order to sell the idea of reinvention to Truman community.

Whether CCC’s PR mission will achieve its intended agenda or not, is one thing. The banners, nonetheless, seem to give Truman a new face, albeit one that has a pleasant scape. The campus now has a feel of vitality and a sense of action, and business taking place.

More Posters Dot on Either Side of Racine Street Leading to the Parking Garage

My fascination with the four pairs of beautiful posters at the northern entrance, led me to walk around and to take pictures. As my observation continued, I discovered that about 30 other single posters are lined up on either side of Racine Street, south of Wilson and leading up to the high-rise parking garage, and also between the ‘El’ and the main building, on the eastside.

At a time when the school is redefining its curriculum and its physical structure, the posters offer Truman a new lease of life; as a result, the campus now has a more appealing look and this would probably enhance its image. But how long will this new look last? I wonder.

What is most surprising about the new banners is that no information about them is made public. Under normal circumstances, students would expect to get an e-mail updates or a summary story published on Truman Website. But none of this had happened until this minute. Basically, students are left in the dark groping for answers about the CCC’s posters and why we don’t have any specifically designed for Truman’s programs.

Organization of the NorthEast Launches CeaseFire at Press Conference

I had the pleasure to attend Organization of the NorthEast’s (ONE) March 7, press conference.  The conference, held at Truman’s front lobby, attracted more than 40 people including public officials and business leaders.

ONE, a 37-year-old nonprofit, launched CeaseFire, a counseling and conflict resolution program, in an effort to address violent crimes in Uptown.

ONE's Board President Dominic Grassi speaks to the press

“ONE is a mixed income, multigenerational, and diverse organization and we are here to fight crime and gun violence.” Board President Dominic Grassi said.

Alderman Helen Schiller, who also spoke at the event, supported ONE because “CeaseFire’s proactive approach to curb shooting and murder,” is likelier to prevent crime than “the reactive responsibility of the police.” Schiller reiterated her support for ONE’s “comprehensively involved, preventive measure,” which she also described as “strong antiviolence effort.”

Outgoing 46th Ward Alderman, Helen Schiller, makes a statement of support about ONE's CeaseFire Program

Parent Georgina and student Tony Sandifer of Goudy Elementary School, both Uptown residents, testified to the many instances when gangs broke into their high-rise, beat residents or vandalized properties in their backyard.

Parent Georgina and student Tony Sandifer testify at the press conference

Cook County Commissioner, Bridget Gainer, spoke about the “proven track record” of CeaseFire and how it reduced crime by 30 per cent last year. Gainer said, “CeaseFire avails resources to address the root causes of violence which are inequality and economic deprivation.”

Other speakers including Alyssa Cutler of Uptown Chamber of Commerce asked everyone who has come “to help build sustainable effort,” to fight gang activity in Uptown while Grassi asked those who are not members of ONE to “join  in the commitment to improve our neighborhood, city and country.”

For related articles, please check out: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-02-22/news/ct-x-c-uptown-violence-0223-20110223-64_1_gang-violence-fatal-shooting-rival-gang-member