Idaho State University and the City of Pocatello executed a formal partnership agreement Thursday evening to institutionalize collaboration between the university and local government.
The Bengal Community Partnership Agreement was signed in the Pocatello City Council Chambers. The ceremony featured ISU administrators, the university cheerleading squad, and mascot Benny the Bengal.
The accord establishes a joint cabinet comprising city and university officials tasked with meeting regularly to advance shared objectives. University President Robert Wagner and Mayor Mark Dahlquist will co-chair the body. Each entity will appoint four additional representatives to the group.
Cabinet members may be drawn from elected leadership, senior administration, staff, students, community partners, or other stakeholders. The agreement authorizes the cabinet to create standing or project-specific working groups as needed.
The framework requires the cabinet to set annual priorities, define measurable goals, and track progress during quarterly meetings. Wagner noted that the structure ensures the right people are gathered to identify opportunities and execute them.
“It creates a framework for us to be intentional to get the right people around the same table, identify opportunities and then actually go do something,” Wagner said.
Dahlquist and Wagner had already established regular meetings prior to the formal signing. Wagner cited Dahlquist’s appearance at an ISU football game in Logan, Utah, on Sept. 5 against the Utah State Aggies as evidence of their existing rapport.
Bates expressed pride in the agreement, noting it transitions Pocatello from a passive supporter to a functional partner for the university regardless of leadership changes.
“I am excited and proud to support this agreement as it moves Pocatello beyond simply cheering for Idaho State University and moves us into being a functional and reliable partner regardless of who serves as mayor or university president,” Bates said.