Although bar owners declined Ohio University President Roderick McDavis' request to remain closed before the Homecoming Parade, many of the same owners hope McDavis will honor their request to strengthen the university judiciaries' process.
One of the topics discussed at an Oct. 21 meeting between university officials and bar owners was OU's judiciary process, said Joel Schectman, owner of The Blue Gator and Skipper's Bar & Grill.
I think there was a question on the table: 'Is there a thought to stiffening (the judiciary process) up?' he said.
Matt Harvey, the bar coordinator for Casa Cantina, made the initial comment at the meeting on the laxness of the university's punishments.
(Strengthening the judiciary process) is a way for the university to take a step on their own
Harvey said. He said this could alleviate the pressure put on city courts and the Athens Police Department to deal with drunken revelers.
However, at least one bar manager said he was not expecting any action on the part of McDavis.
We didn't make any requests; (McDavis) made a request to us said Tom VanDyke, manager of The Pub.
At a press conference following the meeting, McDavis said the discussion was to be the first in a series designed to ease tensions between the campus and Uptown businesses.
Jack Jeffery, a university spokesman, said McDavis plans to continue the dialogue, though he is unsure about its future direction.
Many owners and operators, however, are unaware of any further meetings or discussion forums.
There's no follow up at this point Schectman said.
University Judiciaries, which is within the Division of Student Affairs, responds to offenses both on and off campus. According to its Web site, www.ohio.edu/judiciaries/index.cfm, OU will respond to charges received from APD, though this policy applies to any non-university law enforcement agency.
The office handled 2,474 cases during the 2004-2005 school year, according to provided statistics. Only five of those cases, less than 1 percent, resulted in expulsion, though the statistics did not specify charges.
Harvey said in place of this, he favors something similar to a three strikes and you're out rule
or a system that places fines or raises tuition because of misbehavior.
17
Archives
Justin Thompson
