The fifth annual BEAR (Being Engaged and Responsible) Walk to promote a sense of community in Collegetown will be held Aug. 28 at the Frank E. Gannett Plaza, in front of the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, 430 College Ave., Ithaca.

Cornell students and staff, Ithaca officials, and Cornell and Ithaca police officers will participate.

A resource fair will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick ’09; Julie Paige, director of off-campus and cooperative living; Denise Thompson, program coordinator for the Off-campus Housing Office; and Ekarina Winarto, president of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, will provide remarks beginning at 6 p.m.

At the conclusion of the speakers’ remarks, students, staff and police will travel door-to-door in small groups to engage with local residents.

The event, which encourages students and permanent residents to contribute to a successful neighborhood experience in Collegetown, is open to the public. The 400 block of College Avenue will remain open to vehicular traffic.

BEAR Walk sponsors include the Office of Community Relations, Student and Campus Life, the Cornell Collegetown Student Council and the city of Ithaca.