With the launch of the Dining With Cops program tomorrow, students occasionally will share campus dining halls with Athens Police officers
The program is a collaboration among Ohio University junior public relations major Kevin Yurasek, Kent Smith, vice president of student affairs and APD Capt. Tom Pyle. The goal of the program is to bring police officers and students together in a non-confrontational setting, Smith said.
A lot of people have false perceptions and almost don't see police officers as human beings when in reality they're just like us
he said.
OU Dining Services is discounting the officers' meals to $6, with OU's Department of Residence Life paying for the meals until another source of funding is found, Smith said. Guests eating lunch in the dining halls must pay $7.85, while dinner rates are $10.25.
So far, 10 APD officers have volunteered to dine 10 times per quarter, Yurasek said. While meals for 10 officers all quarter would cost $600, 10 guests would pay a total of $1,025 for 10 meals.
Yurasek said he has approached OUPD about the program and they also might participate.
The program will begin at 12:15 p.m. tomorrow at Jefferson Dining Hall. After tomorrow, officers will attend either lunch or dinner at Nelson, Boyd and Jefferson dining halls depending on their schedules.
Throughout the program, student ambassadors will escort the officers to help them mix with students. Yurasek said he is still looking for volunteers and hopes the program will continue throughout the year. 17
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