Oct. 27, 2004
By Marisa Long
With Halloween just around the corner, student volunteers have taken a new spin on an old Halloween tradition. Reverse trick-or-treat is an initiative that informs students of their rights and responsibilities associated with living off-campus.
Volunteers from Student Senate are going door-to-door to visit with residents living in many off-campus areas, including Mill, Palmer and Stewart streets, among others. As part of their treat, residents of these areas receive a guide for the City of Athens laws pertaining to noise, trash and alcohol, as well as the nuisance party ordinance. They also receive information on the new Office for Off-Campus Living, a list of activities taking place and precautions that students should take on Halloween weekend, and of course, a candy treat.
"These visits are a great way to engage students on a personal level and remind them of their civic responsibility as a student, tenant and member of the community, specifically during Halloween," says Jim Hintz, coordinator of the Office for Off-Campus Living.
Reverse trick-or-treat is supported by the Office for Off-Campus Living, Ohio University Student Senate, the Center for Student Advocacy and the Department of Health Education and Wellness' student group, POWER (Promoting Ohio Wellness, Education and Responsibility). The Office for Off-Campus Living is responsible for coordinating services, education, events and resources to assist students living off-campus. A Web site for the office is currently being developed at www.ohio.edu/off-campus. For literature on students' rights and responsibilities, visit the Center for Student Advocacy at www.studentlegalrights.org or Student Senate at www.mystudentsenate.com.
Marisa Long is a writer for University Communications and Marketing.
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