About Community Relations
Mission
The Office of Community Relations promotes mutual understanding and supportive relationships between the University of Notre Dame and its neighbors in the surrounding community through programs and partnerships that contribute to the common good.
As part of the Office of Public Affairs and Communication, Community Relations plays a key role in communicating the University's policies, projects, needs, and contributions to the Michiana area and in turn reflects the community's needs and concerns back to the University. Members of the Community Relations staff promote public service projects and activities of mutual benefit to the campus and the community, provide appropriate contact points on campus for public inquiries and requests for services, and advise other campus organizations on issues of local concern.
Our Facility
Located at 217 S. Michigan Street across from the State Theatre, Notre Dame Downtown takes up approximately 10,000 square feet in what was once a section of the old Robertson's department store building. The location provides an open reception area, several offices and meeting rooms, as well as space for two other Notre Dame ventures that share space in the downtown facility:
- The Crossroads Gallery is operated by the Snite Museum of Art, the Institute for Latino Studies and the Department of Art, Art History, and Design.
- The South Bend Downtown Design Center, established in 1999, is a storefront design studio that allows architecture students from the University of Notre Dame to interact with design professionals and community leaders on projects that contribute to the urban evolution of the city.
Additionally, Downtown South Bend Inc. (DTSB), a non-profit organization dedicated to the continued growth and prosperity of downtown South Bend, also shares space in the facility and is a co-sponsor of the South Bend Downtown Design Center.