Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - CCC Minutes 06/25/18Minutes CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY COMMISSION Conference Room 235 City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue Monday, June 25, 2018 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. by Chair Karin Chitty. Members present were Eric Abrams, Evelyn Beavers, Pete Englin, and Warren Madden. Meghana Akella, Ian Steenhoek, and Tom Lindsley were not present. Staff liaison Tasheik Kerr was also present. Approval of Minutes: It was moved by Eric, seconded by Warren, to approve the minutes of the May 21, 2018, meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Tom Lindsley arrived to the meeting at 6:03 p.m. Public Forum No one was present for Public Forum. Community Inclusiveness Task Discussion Karin noted that the Commission was still trying to narrow down how to accomplish this task. Pete introduced Kipp Van Dyke and Sara Kellogg in the Dean of Students Office at Iowa State University. Sara described some of the processes in place to address violations of the student conduct code. She highlighted how information from the Ames Police Department is shared and moves through the ISU conduct review process. Students who receive citations or warnings related to nuisance parties off-campus can receive warning letters and subsequent actions from the ISU Dean of Students Office. Sara outlined how good neighbor information is being disseminated to ISU students. Information is also proactively provided to off-campus landlords and property managers. Meghana Akella arrived at 6:11 p.m. Kipp described the resources provided through student assistance. These include mental health and welfare check follow-up, and threat assessment. Situations that don’t involve law or policy violations, but are significant concerns in a student’s life, are often handled through student assistance. Warren asked whether Sara had a sense as to whether the materials provided to landlords were making a difference. Sara responded that this push with landlords is a new effort. The Dean of Students Office will be working with Campustown Action Association to be present at the First Friday event. Sara noted that some of the students who receive emailed warnings respond back to ask questions, which is an indication the students are paying attention. Evelyn asked when students first learn there is a student conduct code. Sara explained that the code is not reviewed in full at orientation, but it is briefly referred to. Pete noted that a significant amount of information is presented at orientation. Sara noted that the more students see it around campus, the more familiar they will be with it. Pete described the university’s involvement in private lease housing. He indicated that it has decreased substantially and ISU will no longer manage off-campus leased housing after this year. He also explained that he and Tasheik heard at the International Town and Gown Conference that the events are not meaningful interactions with neighbors, it is the day-to-day interactions that build community relationships. At Tom’s inquiry, Sara reported that the number of violations did not change after the Know the Code effort was launched, but the number of outreach activities increased substantially. Many people who would not have been exposed to the information received it. Eric asked what other resources might be helpful to assist the Dean of Students Office in its efforts. Sara explained that resources provided to students that include City information could be helpful. Meghana suggested that short videos might be a way to reach out to students to describe the student code of conduct. Kipp and Sara described their efforts to use video to reach out. Pete described a video that is being prepared for Destination Iowa State. Warren noted the potential for less constructive dialogue during the fall election season. Karin mentioned the idea raised during the last meeting regarding a “One Ames” or “One Community” concept. He wondered whether a good, positive message would be more powerful than telling students what not to do. He stated that at the end of the last meeting, the suggestion of a focus group was raised. Eric noted he felt that to be successful, a focus group would need a large group of students and those who live around students. Karin proposed that the Commission as a group develop the list of those who attend, rather than Commissioners individually submitting suggestions. Karin asked what the Commission feels should be the next steps. Tom suggested the approach should be to ask the focus group what the problems are, and then identify from Tasheik’s report what kind of solutions might be useful. Those who should participate in the focus group include representatives of ISU’s diversity and inclusion staff, Ames PD, city government, international students, student government, neighborhood reps, minority- affiliated churches, LGBTQIA+, landlords, ACCESS or CCJ. The intent would be to collect information and identify themes that could be summarized. Eric suggested using the next regular meeting to develop the plan further. Warren suggested inviting Reg Stewart to the next meeting to critique the proposed plan. The Commission then reviewed the July meeting date and discussed the idea of canceling that meeting and holding the next planning meeting in August. Karin asked Pete to invite Reg to the August meeting. Pete noted that another ISU representative may be chosen to fill his role on the Commission prior to that time. Commissioner Comments Evelyn asked when the First Friday event was. Karin reported it would August 24th. Adjourn Tom moved the meeting be adjourned. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.