Ohio University's third dean of students candidate addressed students' concerns about alcohol policies and fostering student success at two open forums yesterday.
Ryan Lombardi, current associate dean of students at Duke University, said he believes an amnesty policy is the best way to tackle alcohol abuse. In an amnesty policy, students would be able to seek medical attention for alcohol-related incidents without judicial repercussions. It is currently under review by Student Senate.
Lombardi said he takes a harm reduction approach to abuse because it is most important to keep students safe.I'm not so far removed from my own experience that I don't remember what it's like
he said.
Lombardi addressed his concern for student welfare, naming three elements that affect their success ' stress, mental illness and lack of sleep.
He stressed ensuring that students have resources, such as an informal peer network, co-curricular involvement and a streamlined point of contact, to increase student success and maintain retention.
We want nothing more than our students to thrive and succeed in our environment here he said.
He said he would like to create a support team for students that could aid them in difficult situations, such as sexual assault and mental and emotional problems.
Along with keeping students healthy, Lombardi discussed student engagement and town-gown relations.
He wants to get students involved, he said, suggesting that the admissions and orientation processes stress student engagement.
Concerning OU's growing concern with finances, Lombardi said it is always difficult to handle a tight budget and he believes it is best to be a steward of resources.
We know we can't have everything he said, remarking that he has been teased at Duke for being frugal.
Lombardi, who has been at Duke since 2001, said if he left Duke, he would most miss the special 40-seat student leaders' section at Duke's basketball games.
He said he is interested in OU because he knows several people who have come from it and succeeded and it seems like the people who are here care about the institution.
' Michael Hess contributed to this article
17
Archives
Savannah Aepli
