In an attempt to bolster relations between Athens and Ohio University students, City Council is looking to hold one of its weekly meetings on campus before Spring Quarter is over.
“I think it creates a great opportunity for more individuals to attend City Council meetings,” said councilman Steve Patterson. “If we do this on occasion once every six months or whatever, I feel like that is going to give individuals who are here at OU an easier opportunity to come to our meetings.”
City Council currently meets every Monday at Athens City Hall, 8 E. Washington St.
“We’re trying to be more accessible to all constituents, students, graduate students, staff and faculty,” Patterson said. “If it’s easier for them to come here than city hall, that’s what we should do.”
Though a date has not been set, OU officials expect them to be held in Walter Hall.
“(On campus) is an easy place to get to for students to engage in municipal government for the community in which they live,” Becky Watts, chief of staff to OU President Roderick McDavis, added.
Student Senate President Kyle Triplett said he thinks that more students would attend Council meetings if they were closer.
“I think it would absolutely be beneficial,” Triplett said. “If it’s held on campus, especially in a central building on campus, I think that students would be more likely to go if they knew where it was, especially if the meeting was revolving around student issues.”
Triplett added he would like things such as campus safety and the opening of Bobcat Lane to be discussed at the meeting. He added that many topics should be addressed, depending on the time of year, such as fest safety and Halloween.
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