COLUMBUS -- For several years now, Ohio State and the city of Columbus, working together through Campus Partners, have promoted safety in the neighborhoods surrounding campus, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Bill Hall told The Ohio State University Board of Trustees' Student Affairs Committee on Friday (10/6). Now, said Hall, students are taking a leadership role in the safety initiatives.

"It's student safety we're working to ensure, and we need their involvement to be effective," said Hall. "I am especially pleased with the current student leaders, who have been dedicated partners in our projects and strong advocates for their fellow students. Their input, hard work and sense of responsibility have been invaluable."

Several student leaders, as well as other key members of the safety team, were present at the meeting to give an overview of current safety initiatives, beginning with the formation of Campus Partners in January 1995 to revitalize the University District.

Steve Sterrett, Campus Partners community relations director, said the cooperative effort between the university and the city of Columbus was formed in response to some of the safety concerns in the campus area, including the 1994 murder of Ohio State Evans Scholar Stephanie Hummer, an increase in large outdoor parties and alcohol use, and a decline in students living in university neighborhoods.

Today, six years after formation of the Campus Partners Safety Advisory Committee, results are being seen, the Trustees were told. Commander Jay Evans of the Columbus Division of Police told the Board that he has seen significant positive change in police-student relationships because of the student-led initiatives and Campus Partners' involvement.

Beginning in 1996, several initiatives were launched to address safety concerns in the area.

· The University Neighborhoods Revitalization Plan proposed four safety objectives -- reduce crime, improve police visibility, reverse negative community perceptions of police and address disorderly behavior of students.

· The Campus Partners Safety Coordinating Committee began working to create greater cooperation between Ohio State, university residents, police and students.

· Columbus Police implemented community policing in the neighborhoods.

· Campus Partners began working with the city to improve municipal services and clean up the neighborhood.

· Property owners started working with residents on safety issues.

"The combination of these efforts was effective up to a point in combating safety issues in the University District," said Shane Hankins, a graduate student from CENTERBURG, who played a leadership role in student-led safety initiatives as an undergraduate. "But it was obvious we had to get the students themselves involved in taking responsibility for their own community."

That's when the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) stepped in and developed the Student Safety and Escort Service, the student safety map and the Landlord Library, a rating guide to local rental properties, said Robert "B.J." Schuerger of HINCKLEY, president of USG and a resident of the off-campus community. "It's important to all the stakeholders in the University District that it's a safe, clean, friendly place to be," he said. "Students need to become a positive force in making it so."

USG also worked in collaboration with the Evans Scholars to promote the expansion of "blue light" emergency phones in the areas off campus, said Luke Whitworth of READING, a member of Evans Scholars. There are currently seven in operation east of High Street, in addition to the 105 on campus.

Students also formed the Student Safety Initiative to implement other programs, including Adopt-A-Street, BuckEyes Watch, the PRSSA burglary prevention campaign, and the University District Student Involvement Fund, which helps fund community service projects.

Even with all the safety programs in place, challenges still remain, Hankins said. "Last year, the university was hit by the murder of Charles Ballard. Burglary and theft still plague the university, especially during holidays and breaks. Set fires are threatening lives and property, and false alarms continue to come in from emergency phones."

Ron Meyers, president of the Council of Graduate Students, commended the university's undergraduates for their increased participation in community service projects and involvement in safety initiatives. "I've heard it said that if you want different results, do things differently," said Meyers. "Today's students are taking more responsibility. They are working to expand current programs such as Walk Around the University District, during which students, faculty, staff, police officers and community leaders go door to door passing out safety information to University District residents."

Plans also are in the works to expand the Adopt-A-Street and BuckEyes Watch programs; and to meet with students, property owners and city officials to improve street lighting

"The most important thing is for students to maintain a presence in the area and continue to voice their safety concerns and share their ideas for increasing the livability of the University District," Hall said. "With their support and involvement, we are making those neighborhoods a better place for everyone to live."

Trustees also heard a report on Welcome Week 2000 activities.

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(LO)