Spring

12

ASSOCIATED STUDENT GOVERNMENT OFFICE OF

OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT AFFAIRS PROPOSAL
ASG Community Relations Committee & ASG Senate Off-Campus Caucus

Northwestern University Associated Student Government (ASG)

 ASG Off-Campus Office Proposal

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3
STUDENT INPUT 5

SHORT-TERM PLAN 6-16

OFF-CAMPUS WEBSITE 6
GUIDE TO OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT LIVING 10
OFF-CAMPUS NEWSLETTER 11
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND BUDGETING 12
COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS PROGRAM 13

MID-TERM PLAN 17-27

AWAY FROM HOME PROGRAM 18
STUDENT HOUSING LEGAL CLINIC 19
SAFETY INITIATIVES 22
PARTY REGISTRATION PROGRAM 24
STUDENT-RESIDENT COMMUNITY BUILDING 27

LONG-TERM VISION 28-30

NORTHWESTERN PROVIDED OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING 29
CONSOLIDATING OFF-CAMPUS RESOURCES 30
OFF-CAMPUS OFFICE SPACE 30

APPENDIX 31-43

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Roughly 35 percent of the Northwestern University undergraduate student body resides off-campus, yet this
group does not receive a proportionate level of attention nor provided with as many useful services as their
counterparts living in on-campus residences. For this reason, it is with great pleasure that the Associated
Student Government applauds the administration and welcomes Mr. Tony Kirchmeier as the Director of Off-
Campus Student Affairs, a brand new position within the Northwestern administration focused on addressing
the needs of off-campus students. We are confident that the university administration will continue to support
students living off-campus in the years to come.

This proposal was written to provide the Office of Off-Campus Student Affairs with an assessment of off-
campus student services as gauged by off-campus students themselves. Off-campus students were given the
opportunity to voice their concerns and suggestions with the current state of off-campus affairs, and their
feedback has been incorporated into this proposal. The authors of this proposal also consulted a variety of
other schools websites to compile and elaborate upon best practices in the provision of services to off-campus
students.

We look forward to continued coordination and cooperation between ASG, Mr. Kirchmeier, and off-campus
students, as we work together to build an Off-Campus Office that will foster relationships, inform off-campus
students, provide much needed assistance, and successfully advocate on behalf of off-campus students.

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 ASG Off-Campus Office Proposal

Goals of the Off-Campus Office:

1. Foster Relationships: Connect our community by facilitating and fostering lasting relationships between
students living off-campus as well as between off-campus students and their Evanston resident
neighbors.

2. Inform: Educate and inform off-campus students of their rights and responsibilities as both students at
Northwestern University and as tenants residing within the City of Evanston.

3. Assist Students: Provide free legal advice and mediation services in conjunction with the Interfaith
Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs and the Northwestern Law School.

4. Advocate: Lobby and advocate on behalf of off-campus students before the City of Evanston and the
Northwestern Administration.

ASG Vision for the Northwestern University Off-Campus Office:

Short-term Plan Mid-term Plan Long-term Vision

(< 1 year) (1-3 years) (3+ years)

Off-Campus Website Additions and Consolidating existing off-campus related

Away from Home Program
Enhancements resources

Greater off-campus office space and a bigger

New Off-Campus Student Living Guide Student Housing Legal Clinic
staff

Build relationships with major property

developers and/or landlord groups with goal
Monthly Off-Campus Newsletter Safety Initiatives
of eventually purchasing their properties and
renting them to students

Spaces on and off campus for off-campus

Financial Management and Budgeting Advice Party Registration Program
studenst to congregates

Create opportunities for positive student-

Community Ambassadors Program
resident interactions

Comprehensive Orientation for Off-Campus

Students

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 ASG Off-Campus Office Proposal

The following suggestions for the off-campus office were collected from the solicitation of advice
from fellow students. Students were presented with the question:

What would you like to see from the University and/or ASG in terms of resources and support
for those who live off-campus?

Education & Information Resources

Target prospective off-campus students
Provide consolidated lists of landlords & more information on living options (a regular rental rates tip sheet)
Continue and expand the Housing Fair to a greater number of property owners and provide an
information packet to those who could not attend the fair
Create a consolidated list of sub-letters

Advocacy & Engagement

Work towards reducing the isolation felt by many students living off-campus
Legal resources/counseling for housing/city issues
Lease-review resources
Comprehensive but succinct list of tenant rights and responsibilities
Help with understanding utilities--how to turn on and shut off, regular rates, short-term loans, cost-saving
tips
Panel of students as an advising resource
Teach students to plow snow or melt ice in front of their residences
Act as liaison between students and Evanston city officials

Accessibility & Security

Faster transportation to the Chicago Campus
Partnership with alarm companies to equip and secure off-campus residences
Revamp SafeRide system to be more all-encompassing
Evanston Loop improvement/general shuttle improvements
Mobile Security Apps

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 ASG Off-Campus Office Proposal

1.1 Off-Campus Website Additions and Enhancements:

Current Website Layout (plus Northwestern Services tab):

1. Living in Evanston
Add Evanston Special Events Directory to website
Add a link to the City of Evanstons 311 Online Citizen Support Center
Link to the Downtown Evanston Directory: Where Chicago and the North Shore Meet and
www.downtownevanston.org
Provide Contact Information for the major Evanston Utility Providers:
Natural Gas (Nicor Gas)
Electricity (ComEd)
Television (Comcast, AT&T, Directv, Dish Network)

2. Housing
Add the City of Evanstons About my Place service to off-campus website (include, if possible,
rental units prone to ordinance violations):

Note: The Off-Campus Office will be responsible for compiling a database of the properties
most commonly rented by students as well as a tally and description of past code violations on
those properties

Add information on Security Deposits, including, but not limited to, interest rates on security deposits,
tenants rights as they pertain to security deposits, and how to ask a landlord to return a security
deposit.
Documents and materials off-campus students will likely need to present to Agency or Landlord:
Current I-20
Funding Offer Letter
Passport
Credit Card for deposit payment
Link to the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs website and add the following
documents from the Interfaith Housing Centers website to the Off-Campus Website:
Tenants Rights and Responsibilities
What to do when moving in and out of an apartment
How do I get repairs completed on my apartment
Evictions
Landlord Rights and Responsibilities
Interfaith Housing Center Contact Information
Add ASGs Housing Resource Sheet and Tips for Off-Campus Living documents to the website

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Link to The Self Help Legal Center at SIU School of Laws Your Rights as a Landlord or Tenant in
Illinois packet
Include contact information for additional housing resources for off-campus students
Evanston Neighborhood Properties (847 864-8800)
www.Padmapper.com
Chicago Rentals (www.chicagorentals.com)
Chicago Apartment Finders (www.chicagoapartmentfinders.com or 1-888-346-3377)
Apartment People (www.apartmentpeople.com -- offices in Evanston and Chicago)
The Chicago Reader (www.classifieds.chicagoreader.com/chicago/realestate)
Apartment Guide (www.apartmentguide.com)

3. Getting Around
Add Evanston and Northwestern Maps to the Website (The following maps already existthey only
need to be added to the website)
City of Evanston Bicycle Map
Emergency Blue Light Telephones Map
City of Evanston Parking Lots and Garages Map (also include hourly rates for city garages
and costs for monthly permits)
City of Evanston Fire Stations Map

4. Evanston Ordinances

5. Evanston Services
Link to the brochure for Evanston Police Social Services
Link to the City of Evanstons Voter Information webpage (includes information pertaining to voter
qualifications, acceptable forms of ID, absentee voting, early voting, voter registration, and where to
register to vote)
Forms, Permits and Applications to add to the Off-Campus Website and/or include in the Off-Campus
Living Guide:
Residential Parking Permits and One-Day Visitor Permits
City of Evanston Vehicle Sticker Application (include rates, where and how to purchase, penalty
for non-compliance)
Alarm Permit Application (cost: $100 per application; penalty for unlicensed alarm system: up
to $300)
House, Apartment, Garage, & Yard Sale Application (up to three (3) such sales in a 12 month
period)

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Block Party Application

Lakefront Cement Fire Ring Permit ($40 for Evanston Residents)
Northwestern Bonfire Ring Permit ($40 for NU Students and Faculty only)
Add common letter templates that may be of use to off-campus students, including, but not
limited to, (1) Security Deposit Return Letter and (2) Letter to Evanston Police Department in
response to a Landlords Eviction Notice without a Court Order
Pet-related Forms:
Pooch Park Permit, Fees, Regulations, and Requirements
Dog Beach Token Application ($60 or $30 after August 1)
Dog Beach Information Packet (include Rules and Policies; Dog Beach Pass Application; and a
Veterinarian Form)
Pet License Application
Dog and Cat Pet License Tags Application ($10 neutered; $15 not neutered)

6. Northwestern Services
Include additional Northwestern Resources for Off-Campus Students:
Northwesterns Associated Student Government website NULink
(http://nulink.northwestern.edu)
Off-Campus Housing Guide
https://asg.northwestern.edu/services/asgoche/nuhousingguide.pdf
Off-Campus Housing Evaluations
Online Sublet (http://asg.northwestern.edu/sublet)
Link to University and Student Services Inc. website for Northwestern University, specifically
Northwesterns Professional Summer Storage Program

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1.2 Guide to Off-Campus Student Living *based on existing Off-Campus Living Handbook* (Table of Contents
can be viewed in Appendix 0.1)

Resources/Forms/Applications/Permits for Evanston services and events (e.g., block parties, picnics,
bonfires, community events) *See website additions (above)

Moving Timeline

Move-In/Move-Out Checklist (See Appendix 3.1 for example from Ohio State University)

Wildcard Advantage Partners list added to Off-Campus website and Off-Campus Student Living Guide

Advertisements for Off-Campus residences to fund publication of the Off-Campus Student Living Guide;
any additional advertising revenue would go to the Off-Campus Office (see Appendix 3.2 for example
from Ohio State Universitys Off-Campus Living Guide)

BEST PRACTICES from other Institutions of Higher Learning:

Towson University:
Before You Rent
In Your Community Questions to Consider
Good Neighbor Guidelines The Lease
Community Associations Cosigning the Lease
Parking Security Deposit
Pets Renters InsuranceAfter Moving In
Trash and Lawn Maintenance Things to Remember
Snow Removal Roommate Relationships
Policies Tenant Relationships
Housing Codes Repairs to your Dwelling
Obstruction of Streets and Tenant Tips Alleys
Parties and Noise Illegal Lockout
Summary of Policy on Off- Helpful Agencies Campus
Disorderly and Disruptive Home Security Behavior
TU Code of Conduct Transportation
Prohibited Conduct Campus Resources
Principles of Community

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1.3 Monthly Off-Campus Newsletter

Printed newsletter will be mailed to all residences in areas with dense student populations

Newsletter to include a section for Evanston Residents and a section for NU Off-Campus Students

First Issue:
o Section 1: Off-Campus Students:
Description of Community Ambassadors Program
Application to be a Community Ambassador
List of events by student organizations
(If before school ends) A brief summary of what to look for
when looking for off-campus housing with landlords, locations,
amenities, etc.
Reminder to be safe in Evanston at night
Budgeting tips
Special restaurant deals/promotions
o Evanston Residents
o Calendar of programs/events available for Evanston residents to attend
o Showcase of outstanding Northwestern student(s) (community service,
athletic event, etc.)
o Solicit student help with odd chores around the house
o Update on changes on Northwestern campus (road construction, etc.)

BEST PRACTICES: Exemplary Off-Campus Newsletters at other Institutions of Higher Learning:

The University of Akron (The Scoop)

Published monthly by Off-Campus Student Services

February 2012 (Volume 3; Issue 1): two pages

Description of Community Ambassadors Program

Article about a current Community Ambassador
Advertising: Roommate Finder and location of their new Off-Campus Office
Description of Safety Neighborhood Officers
Calendar of Programs you should attend this month!
Announcement and description of Off-Campus Student Services Spring Housing Fair
Warning to stay safe around downed power lines
Reminder to update local semester addresses

(See appendix 1.1 for copy of this newsletter)

University of Florida (Off Campus Life)

Monthly publication by Off Campus Life in UFs Division of Student Affairs

February 2012 Issue (two pages)

Upcoming Events
Off-Campus Housing Tips (and Summer Sublease information)
Budgeting tips
If you need to Sublease
Spotlight of the previous semesters Community Advocates event

(See appendix 1.2 for copy of this newsletter)

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1.4 Financial Management and Budgeting Advice

Bowling Green State University (Student Money Management Services)

o Student Money Management Services provides free financial education services to BGSU
undergraduate and graduate students.
o At Student Money Management Services, students can: Talk to trained professionals about
their personal finances confidentially; Create an individualized spending plan; Learn how to
identify and track expenses during and after college; Plan for tuition and fee payments;
Graduate with a plan for repaying your debt; dentify financial education opportunities on
campus; Locate external financial education resources

Ohio State Universitys Monthly Budget Plan Worksheet (Appendix 3.0)

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1.5 Community Ambassadors Program

Responsibilities:

1. Organize neighborhood events with the goal of facilitating positive

interactions between off-campus students and between off-campus
students and Evanston area residents
2. These events include, but are not limited to, Block parties,
Community Cookouts, bonfires, movie nights, outdoor dinners,
Neighborhood Discussions, Community Picnic (September), Evanston
ReNUvation, and others.
3. Serve as the liaison between students living off-campus and the
Office of Off-Campus Student Affairs.

Create Off-Campus Student Districts with clearly delineated boundaries

(Oxford Tenants Organization Model-precincts should be how they are divided)

ASG Subsidized permits for off-campus block parties (currently only one
allowed per year)/Lakefront Bonfire Ring Permit ($40 w/ proof of
residency)/NU Bonfire Ring Permit ($40)/Evanston Special Event Permit ($100)

Student Spotlight of Off-Campus Students who display exemplary neighborly

practices:

Example:(http://penn12.com/category/spotlight/)

Off-Campus Contact List (http://ucfsga.com/off-campus)(dont need actual

addresses; break up off-campus into districts)

Partner with EPD, NUPD, and Evanston Community Groups to form Neighborhood
Watch groups

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BEST PRACTICES: Community Ambassador Program at other Institutions of Higher Learning:

Function

Community Ambassadors (CAs) are students who work to develop community in the University District
Neighborhoods. The CA Program is financed through Student Life at OSU and landlords, businesses,
and community groups, to promote a safer, more collaborative community in the off-campus area.

Ohio State Community Ambassadors act as a resource and a point of contact for students living on their street.
Universityi
As a group, the CAs plan activities throughout the year for the greater campus community ranging
from their Pumpkin Carving Contest to a holiday Light up the Night competition.

Community Ambassador candidates must submit written applications but there are no qualifications
necessary to be eligible for the Community Ambassadorship

The Off-Campus Community Leaders (OCL) program is a Network of students who assist with
executing the mission of Off-Campus Student Services, through the provision of programmatic
University of
support for events and programs sponsored by OCSS
Connecticut ii

Community Ambassadors are Undergraduate/Graduate students who receive training by the OCSS

Towsons Community Ambassador Program began as a pilot program during the 2009-10 academic
year. For the 2011-12 academic year, the program expanded to two additional communities (three
total), and in Fall 2011, a fourth ambassador was added to a fourth community.
Towson
The program consists of a student community ambassador who works with the students living in the
University
neighborhood, helping them understand expectations for living well in the community.

Community ambassadors talk with student residents about neighbors expectations and community
concerns like noise, trash, and party behavior, as well as, plan fun events for students and neighbors
Community ambassadors serve the Northeastern community by connecting students to campus, city,
& community events, city resources, and community service opportunities.

Community Ambassadorsencourage off-campus students to make positive contributions to their

neighborhoods, and help them recognize that they are residents of the community, not just students
who live off-campus.
Northeastern
University Community Ambassadors serve as a resource for students with tenants rights issues. They not only
(See Appendix provide students with information, but also promote self-help skills.
2.1 for
Application) Northeastern Community Ambassadors will be responsible & dependable; community-minded,
possess strong communication skills; be team players; and possess leadership/mentor skills

Qualifications: Upper-class student; resides off-campus in local neighborhood fall and spring semester;
Good standing at the university (academic and judicial); Satisfactory completion of training. The Job
requires a commitment of 6-8 hours per week.

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In an effort to assist students with their transition to off campus living in the Syracuse
University neighborhood, the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services (OCCS) has
created the Community Ambassador Program. This program will match successful off-campus
students with selected blocks in the University neighborhood. Selected students will serve as
an ambassador and role-model to the residents of the street they are living on. Community
Ambassadors (CA) will provide a point of contact for student-residents on their assigned
block, provide access to resources and build community in order to ease the transition to off-
campus living. We hope this program will increase the overall achievement and satisfaction
of students living in the university neighborhood, and will provide a leadership opportunity
for returning off-campus students.

Requirements for students applying to be a Community Ambassador:

1. Sophomore standing by Fall 2012.
2. Minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.50.
3. No current academic or non-academic sanctions.
4. Must live on one of the selected areas during the 2012-2013 academic year.
5. Willingness to commit to participation for the entire 2012-2013 academic year.

Compensation:
Syracuse $1000 for the academic year, $500 per semester, pro-rated if the Community
University (See
Ambassador is unable to perform duties for the full semester.
Appendix X.2
for Application) $175 per semester will be provided to fund social programming.

Community Ambassador position responsibilities:

Participate in a required training on April 18th (6-9 p.m.) and August 20 and 21 (10
a.m. - 4 p.m.).
Establish an email list serve and phone list for all students on the street and email
them regularly with information. Walk door to door to distribute timely information
as necessary.
Semi-monthly staff meeting. Weekly one-on-one meetings with supervisor.
One hour per week of office hours.
Create and run two social programs per semester. Promote programs sponsored by
the OCCS.
Serve on the Off-Campus Advisory Council.
Host a block Barbeque (Sunday, August 26) and participate in Taste of Westcott
(Thursday, August 30)
Assist students with general concerns or refer students to the University and/or city.

Ten blocks are participating in the 2012-13 Community Ambassador program

The 2012-13 application can be viewed and downloaded at http://occs.syr.edu/pages/CA_Staff.html

Fort Collins Community Liaisons Program: In 2001, the City of Fort Collins, Colorado and Colorado State
Universitys Off-Campus Life Department developed and funded a partnership called the Community Liaison
Program (CL), which offers a wide variety of programs and services designed to bring the two communities together
and to promote safe, clean, diverse neighborhoods. The Community Liaison helps neighbors: (1) understand and
Colorado State
build relationships with students; (2) become familiar with local codes and ordinances and the process of
University* enforcements; (3) appreciate how the City and University Collaborate; (4) connect with the City and Colorado State
University resources. The Community Liaison helps students: (1) understand the rental process; (2) recognize their
rights and responsibilities as citizens of Fort Collins; (3) understand local codes and ordinances and the process of
enforcement; (4) locate volunteer opportunities in the community.

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2.I. Away From Home Program

Register with Off-Campus Office Staff to have a NUPD Officer check your residence over Winter and
Spring Break at no cost to you

BEST PRACTICES

University of Akrons Away From Home Program: Arrange to have an officer check your property over
winter break

For a burglar, student housing around college campuses can be alluring because the burglar
knows that many of the homes will be unoocupied at times throughout the year. Tjats why UA police
and the city police will team up again to make periodic checks of unoccupied student homes in the
areas shaded in blue over break. Though this free program should help deter break-ins, theres no
guarantee implied. Officers will not be able to check on individual apartments in large complexes.

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ASG Off-Campus Office Proposal

2.2 Student Housing Legal Clinic

BEST PRACTICES: Student Legal Services at other Institutions of Higher Learning:

Institution of Services
Higher Learning

University of - Law office (housed within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for
Illinois-Chicago Student Affairs) provides legal advice and representation to
(UIC) Student registered students
Legal Service
(SLS) - Funded by students through Student Services Fee (includes an opt-out provision) and staffed by
one attorney and one student paralegal

- Services:
- Landlord/Tenant questions, subleases and roommate contracts
- Auto accidents and insurance (settlements)
- Traffic tickets (including how to deal with out-of-state tickets)
- Consumer questions: small claims, debt collection, bankruptcy, purchase contracts
- Power of Attorney
- Family issues (e.g., divorce, name change, etc.)
- Employment
- Contract review
- Referrals

- Program restrictions:
- Will not advise students who have a problem with another UIC student
- Will not advise students regarding grievance and disciplinary procedures at UIC
- Will not advise startup businesses
- Will not represent students in real estate closings nor represent student landlords in court
- Will not advise on immigration matters

University of - Staffed by licensed attorneys

Central Florida - Office of Student Legal Services (below)
Office of Student - Legal counseling and court representation in certain cases
Legal Services - Those cases not covered under program guidelines are referred to appropriate agencies or
private attorneys through a lawyer referral service
- Program approved by Florida Bar

- Dispute Resolution Services (below)

- Offers training and services directed at resolving interpersonal disputes
- Services:
- Mediation services
- One on one coaching
- Various educational programs
- Programs that are free for enrolled students:
- One-on-one coaching
- Conflict and Anger Management
- Decision making/Problem Solving
- Mediation

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Kent State -Employs attorneys properly licensed for practice in Ohio and the service is open to all KSU
University Students
Student Legal
Services (SLS) -SLS Staff Assists Students through:
Advice
One-on-one counseling with individual students
Referrals (if necessary)

Education
Legal rights and responsibilities through seminars, workshops, and/or lectures
presented by SLS attorneys or through SLS sponsorship and through a number of
publications made available to assist students in understanding the law
Individual students and groups can request assistance in locating proper legal
resources

Representation
Students responsible for all costs incurred for adequate representation (i.e., court
filing fees, transcript fees and deposition costs)
Representation is available for the following:
Actions between landlords and tenants
Actions involving the defense of a student charged with a misdemeanor charge
Actions involving consumer transactions
Actions involving the resolution of domestic affairs
Miscellaneous Matters

Indiana IU Office of Student Legal Services has existed for over 40 years and is focused on keeping
University- students in school in the event legal trouble threatens to interfere.
Bloomington
If you are a registered IU-Bloomington student and pay your activity fee, you are entitled to their
services.
SLS employs four full-time, licensed attorneys who oversee roughly 25 second- and third-
year law students from IUs Maurer School of Law
Discussions with staff are protected through attorney-client privilege
Offices are located on campus
All undergraduates and graduate students who pay their Student Activity Fee are entitled to
advice and legal representation at no charge. The only expenses you must cover are
court fees.

University of Student Legal Services (SLS), a unit of the Division of Student Affairs, is a full-service law office
Michigan available to currently enrolled students at the U of M Ann Arbor campus.

SLS is staffed by attorneys who are licensed to practice in the State of Michigan as well as the U.S.
District Court and Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Office is located in the Student Union (Need
to make appointment prior to arrival). SLS is funded through a student fee which is paid at the time
of enrollment (student is responsible for all costs of litigation, including court filing fees and service
fees). Areas of Practice include:
Landlord/tenant disputes
Other property-related matters
Criminal defense
Drivers license restoration
Divorce/family law
Employment grievances
Wills

Ohio State Student Mediation Program (Run through The Office of Student Conduct)
University Mediator does not choose sides and does not attempt to determine which party is being truthful

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The mediation process is confidential with limited exceptions

Not all parties have to be OSU students; as long as at least one of the parties is an OSU
student, the parties may use the Student Mediation Program through the office of Student
Conduct

Common disputes resolved through mediation include:

monetary disputes;
Roommate conflicts;
property disputes;
work related disputes;
student organization disputes;
group Project Disputes;
relationship disputes.
In regards to roommate disputes, a neutral third party representative from Neighborhood
Services and Collaboration) will sit down with the two or more parties and attempt to come up
with a resolution

Student tenants cannot be forced to participate in the mediation program.

Student Housing Legal Clinic

Provides free lease reviews

Free legal advice to current students who have legal questions regarding Landlord-Tenant law
Assist with Landlord-Tenant Issues

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 ASG Off-Campus Office Proposal
2.3. Security Initiatives

I. Partner with a Mobile Personal Safety Application Company to bring the service to Off-Campus Students:

II. Offer students living off-campus free alarms (need to consider the City of Evanstons requirement that all
alarm systems be registered and the associated fee be paid)

2.4 Party Registration Program

PROPOSAL

Off-campus students may choose to register their off-campus parties at Northwesterns Off-Campus
Student Affairs Office

An initial address and resident registration form is required to participate in the program;

For each planned party, the initial registration form need not be completed, but the Off-Campus
Student Affairs Office must be notified, through submission of a Party Registration form, of the
details of the planned off-campus party
OPTION: One member of the registered household/apartment must attend one Community
Conversation per quarter (three per year) to maintain eligibility for the Party Registration Program
OPTION: A student registering a party for the first time will receive information packet regarding
relevant City Ordinances and University Policies to off-campus students
Should a noise complaint be received by the EPD or NUPD, the contact person named in the registration
form will be contacted by cell/home phone and given a verbal warning to break up their party within a 30
minute time frame (grace period).

If a second noise complaint is reported after this 30-minute grace period, the EPD or NUPD will send an
officer to the residence to issue a noise violation and issue a summons for Northwestern Student
Conduct Proceedings.

If a property is not registered or if a registered property has not notified the Off-Campus Student Affairs
Office in a timely fashion, there will be no warning (or grace period) from the EPD or NUPD and an
officer will be sent to the property after the first noise complaint is lodged.

The warning process is related to noise complaints only (e.g., No grace period will be given to registered
properties at which their have been reports of Underage Drinking, Public Urination, etc.)

The Office of Off-campus Student Affairs is responsible for tracking which properties have been
registered and providing this list to the relevant Police Agency.

The NUPD and EPD will be responsible for abiding by the Party Registration Program for noise violations,
and will report back to the Office of Off-Campus Student Affairs with any violations of the registration
program that resulted in issuance of a noise violation or other City Code violation(s).

A year-end report will be issued by the Off-Campus Office working with the NUPD and EPD.

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BEST PRACTICES (Party Registration Programs):

I. University at Buffalo (The State University of New York):

Students can register their off-campus parties at the schools Off-Campus Student Services office.
Should a noise complaint be received by Buffalo Police, the party house will be phoned and given a
verbal warning to break up their party within a 20-minute time frame. After this 20 minute grace
period, the police will send an officer to the residence to issue a noise violation fine and a referral to
the Universitys judicial process. The warning process is related to noise complaints only. If the party
is not registered, there will be no warning from the City, and they will show zero tolerance.

Benefits of University of Buffalos Party Registration Program:

Potentially saves party hosts money in city ordinance fines and decreases the likelihood of
University Judiciary sanctions
Reduces time it takes to disperse a party in violation (satisfying neighbors)
Saves City money and man power as they will not have to dispatch officers to disperse
parties as often. This allows the officers to focus their attention elsewhere, improving
neighborhood safety.

II. University of Colorado at Boulder:

Between August 2010 and May 2011, the Party Registration Program registered over 200 parties. Of
the 208 parties registered, only 2 households received tickets (See Appendix for additional data).

Program Details:iii

Register a Friday or Saturday night part with the Off-Campus Housing Office by noon on Friday
(All registrations must be made in person);

Provide the Office with a student ID, two phone numbers, and the address of the party

Parties must be registered by noon on Friday and those registering will be asked to show a
valid student ID (Only Friday and Saturday night parties are eligible for the Registration Program)

Bonus: when a student registers his/her party for the first time, the Off-Campus Housing Office
gives the student a free bag of snacks and other party necessities

If a noise complaint on the registered residence is received, police dispatch will call and give a
warning

The residence will have 20 minutes to shut the party down and avoid any police action

After three warning calls from Dispatch, a registered house will be banned from Party
Registration for the remainder of the semester and the semester following

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III. Clemson University:

Party Registration Rules

Registration is only valid on the date listed on the form and to the address listen on the form.

Registered host must live at the address being registered for the party.

All party registrations must be completed no later than noon and at a minimum of two days prior to the
party date.

Registered parties will ONLY receive one telephone warning on the date of the event; subsequent
complaints at the same location will necessitate police response.
No location will receive more than three (3) telephone warning calls beginning August 1st and extending
through July 31st
Following the third telephone warning, law enforcement will respond without the notification of a telephone
warning.

Criminal or municipal violations other than noise or parking issues can result in police being dispatched
immediately without a telephone warning.

The registered sober monitor(s) must be available to answer your phone at all times during the party; you will only
be called once. You must be on or near the property at all times and willing to shut down the party if you receive a
warning call in reference to a noise complaint. If you are told during the telephone warning to shut the party down,
you will be given twenty (20) minutes to comply. Not hearing your phone will not be an excuse for why you did not
break up the party when the police arrive or when talking to the judge.

The secondary contact will only be called once in the event you do not answer your phone as the primary
contact person.

The party may not start again. If the party is reconvened, another warning will not be provided.

Your party registration will be provided to the on duty CCPD patrol supervisor or officer of the day. The
CCPD dispatch will be provided with the address(es) of registered party(s) and upon receipt of a
complaint will notify the supervisor to make the telephone warning call.

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2.5 Create Opportunities for Positive Student-Resident Interactions (Creating Community Connections

Launch a series of service provision initiatives in an effort to revitalize the neighborhoods

surrounding the Evanston campus (Invest in local housing restoration, area retail development
projects, lighting installations for West Evanston; and an incentive plan to entice faculty and staff
to take up residence in the communities).

Partner with community-based organizations to acquire and use information technology for
neighborhood development purposes

Example: University of Pennsylvania: Center for Community Technology in West Philadelphia

staffed by grad students and AmeriCorps volunteers. The Center refurbishes and recycles used
computers, offers technology training classes, and operates a community information portal)

Create a Neighborhood Grant Program to be dually funded and administered by the City of
Evanston and Northwesterns Off-Campus Student Affairs Office

Example: Fort Collins, CO Neighborhood Grant: Goal is to promote positive neighboring

activities and neighborhood revitalization by providing financial assistance through neighborhood
grants. Grants from $25 to $500 are available for eligible projects. Eligible projects include:
Neighborhood clean-ups, block parties/potlucks, beautification projects, and neighborhood
entryway projects, etc.

Bi-Monthly 1 Hour NU-City Cleanups in different locations throughout Evanston every other
Sunday morning. Free Breakfast will be provided by ASG to both students and Evanston
residents at the conclusion of the 1 hour clean-up (to be run through Off-Campus Office

Tech Clinics: assign groups of students from different majors to specific problems in the
community or on campus (e.g, Lafayette College)

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LOBBY ADMINISTRATION TO PURCHASE APARTMENTS AND/OR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES IN

EVANSTON TO MAINTAIN AND LEASE DIRECTLY TO STUDENTS

This program already exists on a limited scale for incoming Northwestern University faculty:

Excerpt from A Guide for New Members of the Faculty (Page 12) from The Office of the Provost
(September 2011)

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GREATER OFFICE SPACE WITH A MORE ROBUST STAFF

Current Location: Scott Hall (601 University Place)

Existing University Properties with the Potential to be Future Locations for the Off-Campus Housing
Office:

555 Clark Street (Office of Community Relations)

Engelhart Hall (Graduate Student Housing) 1915 Maple Avenue (Graduate Housing Office)
2020 Ridge Ave (Facilities Management)
Norris University Center (1999 S. Campus Drive)
Seabury (2122 Sheridan Rd)
600 Haven Street (University Housing Operations/University Housing)
625 Colfax Street
629 Colfax Street
2335 Sheridan Road
566 Lincoln Street
Trienens Hall (2707 Ashland Ave)
2020 Ridge Ave (Office of Corporate Relations/Office of Risk Management/Facilities
Management)
1201 Davis St.
515 Clark st.

CONSOLIDATING EXISTING OFF-CAMPUS-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS:

Division of Student Affairs Living Off-Campus Office (601 University Place, Rm. 6 Email:
livingoffcampus@northwestern.edu; Phone: 847-491-8430)

Off-Campus Advisory Board

Associated Student Government (Senate Off-Campus Caucus & Community Relations Committee)

Undergraduate Housing Office (Seabury, 600 Haven Street, Room 213)

University Residential Life (Scott Hall, 601 University Place, Room 10)

Housing Operations (Seabury, 600 Haven St., 2nd Floor)

Office of Community Relations (555 Clark St. Room 209, Evanston, IL 60208)

Graduate Off-Campus Housing (1915 Maple Ave, Evanston, IL 60201; (847) 491-5127; Open Monday
through Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm)

Graduate Residential Life and Off-Campus Living (1915 Maple Ave, Evanston, IL 60201; (847) 491-
2011; Open Monday through Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm)

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