University Committee Promotes "Good
Neighbor" Practices Among Students
Contact: Karl
Luntta(518) 437-4980
NOTE to EDITORS: PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
UAlbany Office of Personal Safety and Off-Campus Affairs Director
Tom Gebhardt and UAlbany students will be distributing brochures
Thursday, Sept. 4, 12-1:30 p.m. in the State, Quail, Ontario,
and Spring streets area.
ALBANY, N.Y.
(September 3, 2003) -- The UAlbany-lead Committee on University
and Community Relations will this week distribute 3,000 brochures
entitled �Off-Campus Student Survival Guide, How to be Safer
and a Better Neighbor" door-to-door in the Beverwyck
and Pine Hills neighborhoods. The brochures will address behavior,
safety and off-campus student-tenant issues, and is one component
of the committee's comprehensive "Thirteen-Point Plan"
to continue efforts to make the off-campus environment safer
and more secure for students and city residents.
Last week,
the committee distributed 3,000 door tags entitled �Community
Service & Fines for Having a Party?� at residences in
the same student-dense neighborhoods. The publication described
City of Albany and New York State laws and ordinances that
could be violated as a result of a house party.
The committee's
efforts will also see teams of representatives from the Albany
Police Department (APD), neighbors, University at Albany students,
the Pine Hills Neighborhood Association, and the Office of
Personal Safety and Off-Campus Affairs of the University at
Albany go door-to-door in selected blocks to welcome students
back and discuss their rights and responsibilities regarding
safety, behavior and quality of life issues. Problems that
have been encountered on these blocks in the past and what
steps current student residents can take to prevent them will
be discussed in face-to-face meetings.
Other activities
in this ongoing and proactive plan to combat inappropriate
off-campus behavior include distributing information to residence
hall students describing behaviors that often get students
into trouble off campus, along with off-campus safety tips;
participation by APD and the University Police Department
(UPD) in the annual �Health & Wellness Fair� at the university�s
all-freshmen Indian Quadrangle, during which information will
be disseminated concerning local laws, safety on and off campus,
and altered/fake IDs; an annual pre-school meeting with local
tavern owners and representatives from the New York State
Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, APD and neighborhood
groups about responsible alcohol sales and the new Keg Registration
Law; and meetings with various student groups, including representatives
of the Interfraternity Council.
"The safety
of our students and neighbors is a constant priority,"
said Tom Gebhardt, director of UAlbany's Office of Personal
Safety and Off-Campus Affairs. "We have exceptional cooperation
in our committee among the University at Albany, other area
colleges, local business people, tavern owners, government
agencies, neighborhood associations, law enforcement, and
our neighbors in Albany to reach that goal. The best way to
decrease alcohol abuse and irresponsible behavior is to educate
our student body, to continue our proactive initiatives to
reduce such behaviors, and keep our students and the public
well-informed about these constructive approaches."
UAlbany has
also instituted an advertising campaign promoting its "Off-Campus
Hotline" (tel. 442-5888) for long-term neighbors and
students to report problems or concerns. Responding to calls
will be the University's Office of Personal Safety and Off-Campus
Affairs in conjunction with APD, as well as neighborhood associations
and appropriate city offices.
An intensive
awareness campaign concerning the University at Albany�s "WhistleWatch
Safety Program," sponsored by the President's Task Force
on Women's Safety in cooperation with APD and UPD, will take
place in the traditional student neighborhoods. This initiative
will include information on the program and on how to secure
a WhistleWatch Whistle.
Over the summer,
the University, in conjunction with the Committee on University
and Community Relations, undertook its third annual �lighting
and safety survey� to identify and recommend steps to make
the area in the vicinity of Alumni Quadrangle, the College
of St. Rose, Albany High School and the LaSalle School safer.
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