Core Value #3: The University District shall be culturally and socio-economically diverse.

This is one of five chapters that address the intensity and density of development, residential homeownership patterns, availability of community services, access to job resources, and provision of services for students who live in the Neighborhoods. The University District has some of the most diverse neighborhoods in the City, with diversity expressed through broad ranges in levels of income, types of ethnicities established, dependency on community services, and lifestyles. Maintaining that richness of people and culture while meeting the requirements of a clean, safe, and economically stable community is a challenge.

The students who live in the East, North and South Campus Neighborhoods are a resource that should not be ignored. By providing a conduit for the students to become actively engaged in the Neighborhoods, they will ultimately become better neighbors and will be more likely to contribute to community service. A goal of the Plan is to provide students with greater access to community services, thereby strengthening the East, North and South Campus Neighborhoods as a desirable and safe place to live. This chapter provides recommendations related to enhancing the quality of student life in the Neighborhoods.

Students living in the East, North and South Campus Neighborhoods area are an important resource for creating University and engages them in the community. Participation in the life of the community through community-based learning, research, and inquiry, as well as enhanced volunteer opportunities will help them develop their sense of responsibility to the community. Additional activities and services in the community will provide students greater access and increase their effectiveness. Special attention to the abuse of alcohol and other drugs, both on and off campus, will provide an improved learning environment while students are engaged at the university, as well as enhance the quality of life of residents, visitors, and faculty.

The following objectives form the basis for policies and recommendations to improve the student quality of life:

B. Policies and Recommendations

Recommendation 9.1.1: Establish in the East Campus Neighborhood a Student Services Center in consultation with the Off-Campus Student Services Office to provide a community-based, integrated approach to the housing, health promotion and education, counseling, social service, and academic learning requirements of students living in the area.

Recommendation 9.2.1: Expand and develop opportunities for all university students, faculty, and staff to participate in community service, especially in the University District. Community service will be linked to students’ academic programs, including graduation requirements, wherever feasible. The university will support activities for developing and administering community service/learning, training students and others prior to service, and assessing the impact of service on the community and students. The university will also provide incentives to encourage faculty and non-classified staff to engage in community service in conjunction with their employment.

Recommendation 9.3.1: Increase university funding for student activities and implement a diverse program of student activities offered at a variety of times and places throughout the campus and the East, North and South Campus Neighborhoods.

Recommendation 9.4.1: Establish a Property Owner’s Association for all owners of university approved off-campus student housing and develop a university training program for resident student managers for approved off-campus student housing.

Recommendation 9.4.2: Implement a voluntary certificate of compliance program for student rentals that meet minimum city codes.

Recommendation 9.5.1: Implement the recommendations of the university’s Alcohol and Other Drug Advisory Committee.

Significant concerns about the quality of student life in the University District have contributed to enrollment declines in the university as well as the general erosion of the University District. Additional services in the community will provide greater access for students, enhance student quality of life, and increase the effectiveness of services delivered.

Apparent lack of responsibility and respect for the community where students live while attending The Ohio State University is a precipitating factor in the deterioration of the University District with the highest density of student residents. Students present in the University District for a limited time, may view themselves as transient residents, and are often living independent of adult supervision for the first time. Community service, especially if available in the University District, may foster a stronger sense of ownership and investment in the community leading to increased responsibility and respect for the area permanent residents, property.

Standards of quality for student housing in the University Neighborhoods should be established jointly by property owners and the university to ensure that the special needs of a high density, young adult population are addressed in building management policies, safety standards, and requirements for health and safety. A Property Owners Association (see Chapter 6.0)could improve the image and safety of the area enhancing the value of property, improve occupancy rates, and yield better returns for owners. Such an association could also ensure increased quality of life for student residents. Trained resident student managers could provide local oversight, be available for mediation and intervention as appropriate, and ensure proper respect for property as well as persons.

Excessive use and dependence on alcohol and other drugs is a serious contributor to reducing quality of life both on and off campus. According to the university’s Alcohol and Other Drug Advisory Committee, there is no consistent message in the university regarding alcohol use, the consequences of use, policies, and enforcement. Information is scattered and resources to effect significant changes in attitudes and behavior are severely limited. The Code of Conduct should be reviewed and revised (see Chapter 10.0). The accessibility and adequacy of de-tox, treatment and referral services should be assessed. Codes and liquor laws may need to be more effectively communicated to students, and the enforcement efforts of local authorities may need increased support.

Students living in the East, North and South Campus Neighborhoods will have greatly enhanced access to a wide range of student services. Faculty and student services providers would also benefit by being able to provide more efficient and accessible teaching, services, and assistance for students. Faculty who develop research in conjunction with student service activities will also benefit from increased student participation in these programs.

The impact of this center will include creation of neighborhood visibility for student services provided by the university. It will bring learning assistance, counseling, health education, and other services into geographic proximity to students who live east of High Street. Additional teaching and inquiry opportunities for faculty and graduate students will be created by greater participation in university-provided services. This program will assist in bridging the High Street barrier and encourage a greater sense of unity within the University District. The proposal also capitalizes on the University District’s single greatest asset, its proximity to Ohio State, to make the neighborhood more desirable to prospective and current student residents.

Students who participate in community service and action/reflection courses and faculty who teach those courses will benefit from hands-on experience. Faculty and staff who volunteer in the University District will profit from increased contact with their neighbors, thus creating a safer, better community in which to work and live. Faculty and graduate students will have increased opportunities for research on community service, volunteerism, and their impact on community. University District residents and agencies will benefit from additional volunteer assistance. Students who live in University District will have an enhanced sense of ownership, respect, and responsibility for the areas in which they live.

This program will create a learning/serving experience and opportunity for all students through community service. It establishes a life-skill requirement for all students to learn how to live in a community with instructional teams consisting of faculty and community leaders. It promotes increased university participation in the life of the community. It enhances faculty and graduate student teaching and research opportunities. It will require the designation of a university contact person to serve as liaison with the community and coordinator of requests for volunteers for ease of contact and elimination of red tape.

Students would benefit from alternative actions closer to their place of residence. Neighborhood residents would benefit from more organized student activities. Police expenditures would decrease because increased alternative activities would translate into fewer calls for disorderly conduct, noise, etc.