University At Buffalo Off-Campus Student Services Initiative Makes Immediate Impact

Buffalo, NY- The UB Reporter explains the success of Off-Campus Unit. Its first year of operations, Off-Campus Student Services has made great progress in fostering a sense of community in neighborhoods surrounding the university, Dan Ryan, director of the office, told the Faculty Senate Executive Committee at its Wednesday meeting. Programs such as a Neighbors Day Block Party and Safety Fair on the South Campus and an online incident-tracking form that enables residents to enter information about worrisome student behavior are helping to build trust between UB and area homeowners, Ryan said. Activities such as tenants' rights workshops educate students on how to stay safe. Ryan's office has encouraged Sub-Board 1, a student-owned corporation that maintains a database of rental properties, to be selective in listing buildings, taking safety and health concerns into consideration. Ryan views Off-Campus Student Services, established in September 2008, as a "connector" between UB and its surrounding communities, with a focus on University Heights, which borders the South Campus and houses a large concentration of students. The majority of UB's off-campus efforts now involve engagement and education, rather than reaction, Ryan said. Ryan is scheduled to present at the March 2010 NASPA conference in Chicago, IL.