An Athens City Council ordinance that requires student tenants to sign a document stating they are aware of city regulations could have negative consequences, and Ohio University Student Senate passed a resolution urging council to revise the ordinance in last night's meeting.
The ordinance, passed Dec. 12, 2005, created a document listing city regulations and carries a signing clause for tenants. If police arrived at a residence where the document was signed and a regulation was violated, a misdemeanor charge could be given to tenets if they fail to produce the agreement, according to senate's resolution.
This is needless
said Tim Vonville, senator for city and county affairs. We understand there is a need for education but there has got to be a better way.
Senate's resolution recommended revising the ordinance so the landlord is included in the document to reduce paper work promote student rights and avoid needless prosecution.
Two OU administrators also presented senate with plans to improve the first-year experience at OU through Vision Ohio, the university's comprehensive plan for the future.
Compared to other peer schools the university is not good with first-year students
said David Descutner, associate provost for undergraduate education and dean of University College. Vision Ohio hopes to improve that.
With the new plans the colleges and teams are developing, the quality of a freshman's education will not be based solely on his or her in-class performance. The academic challenge of the curriculum also will be evaluated, he said.
Strategic plans for Vision Ohio prepared by each OU college were due yesterday, said Hugh Sherman, associate dean of operations for the College of Business, chairman of Management Systems and director of the Voinovich Center. Plans for Vision Ohio's 11 implementation teams are due by May 15, he said.
These plans prepared by the colleges and teams, who have worked for the past 18 months, are part of a process to more effectively provide students with adequate education in and out of the classroom, Sherman said.
Descutner emphasized the importance of making Vision Ohio a high priority at the university.
The university will continue to invest on this
he said. This is about the next 10 years of the university.
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Natalie Farinacci
