Off Campus Student Services Moves

OHIO STATE OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT SERVICES MOVES OFF-CAMPUS

     COLUMBUS -- Works of art created by graduate students and 
faculty from The Ohio State University Department of Art decorate 
the walls of the newly refurbished Off-Campus Student Services. 
Originally housed in the Ohio Union, the center is now located in 
the George Wells Knight House at 104 E. 15th Ave.  The large, 
older house with a fireplace, partial brick interior walls and 
stained glass windows creates a comfortable atmosphere that helps 
to foster the feeling of community, one of the center's main 
objectives.

     "We want the students to feel as though they are part of 
the Ohio State community even though they do not live on campus.  
We don't want them to view living off-campus as just a temporary 
place to stay," said Harold Spencer, program coordinator for 
Off-Campus Student Services. "We are here to provide support for 
the students' needs."

     The center serves students who do not live in the residence 
halls, both those who live near campus and those who commute 
from other parts of Central Ohio.

     In addition to serving as a clearinghouse for community 
volunteer activities, the center provides computerized apartment 
and sublet information, roommate listings, assistance with 
landlord/tenant negotiations and useful tips for those looking 
for apartments for the first time or for students who may have a 
question about off-campus living.  The apartment listings and 
other services will soon be linked to the Internet.

     The center will also house liaisons from the Franklin County 
Sheriff's Office, City of Columbus Police and Ohio State 
University Police, who will work with Off-Campus Student Services 
and the Community Crime Patrol to improve safety in the 
neighborhood.

     "Having Ohio State police in a space off-campus offers 
tremendous potential for positive interaction with students in 
the off-campus environment," said John Kleberg, assistant vice 
president for business and administration. "This link with 
Community Crime Patrol demonstrates the university's commitment 
to the importance of the work of the patrol in an area where so 
many students live."

     The move helps to establish the center in the area in which 
many students first move to from the residence halls and from 
home, said Stephanie LeDuff, coordinator of public relations in 
the Office of Housing, Food Services and Events Centers. 

     "This location give the students a chance to develop a 
different perspective of the center and a new respect for our 
efforts to provide information for students on issues such as 
safety and community involvement," LeDuff said.

     The center is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
Appointments are not necessary but can be used to schedule 
counseling for rental information assistance or legal referrals.

                             #

Contact: Stephanie LeDuff, coordinator of public relations in the 
Office of Residence and Dining Halls, (614) 292-1779. 
Written by Tracy Turner.


[Submitted by: Von Reid-Vargas (ereid@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu)
               
Mon, 8 Apr 1996 11:15:37 -0400]
All documents are the responsibility of their originator.