As another resource for communication, Oxford City Council and Miami University will be collaborating to create an ad hoc University Liaison Committee to address issues directed toward both the university and the city.
The new team is currently in the planning stage during which individuals are selected to represent the committee.
Subsequent to the selection Tuesday, Oct. 3, the committee will be comprised of three members from Oxford's City Council and three representatives from Miami's Office of the President.
Vice Mayor Prue Dana said the committee was suggested due the city's and university's concerns involving students. Following the first weekend of the school year, the city and the university agreed partnership was needed.
"I do believe that the first weekend before classes started was somewhat traumatic as a city and that had to do with the incident of disorderly conduct and rape and burglary and destruction," Dana said. "So that sort of spurred us to say, 'How can we talk about this and what can we do about it?' And the university was as concerned as the city (was), and vice versa."
According to a letter from Miami to Oxford City Council, the purpose of the committee is to meet, investigate, explore and discuss any and all matters the committee determines are of concern to both the city and the university.
The committee will also be responsible for making recommendations to council that are relative to legislation or policy and in the best interest of the city and the university.
Dana expressed hope that the committee will impact the future decisions of Oxford City Council.
Oxford City Councilor Alysia Fischer stated that although the committee will not influence council directly and can only make recommendations, it would have the opportunity to make suggestions to the university.
"I think there's always been a need for communication between the university and the city and it has already been going on at a variety of different levels," Fischer said. "What's been missing is a specific space for dialogue between City Council and the President's office at the university. President Hodge came in with an interest in Miami as part of the wider community, so it seemed like an appropriate time to bring the idea forward."
In addition to student conduct, the committee will also create a space for members to discuss other issues involving long-term building plans, comprehensive and strategic planning, findings and recommendations of study committees, resource identification and shared visions for the future of Miami and the Oxford area.
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"Some of the things we talked about were long-range building issues; other issues involve our two police departments," said Stephen Snyder, Miami's executive assistant to the president. "It's pretty much wide open. Anytime you share communications about current issues and situations and long-term planning, it can only be of benefit."
Dana stressed how cooperative the university has been and that this committee will ensure that Miami and the city of Oxford maintain a positive relationship.
"(The committee will benefit Oxford and Miami) by just setting a positive, proactive tone in living in Oxford," Dana said. "In other words, we won't just be reacting to crisis but we'll be thinking ahead to what makes things better."
In agreement with Dana, Fischer also emphasized the importance of collaboration and shared visions between the city and the university.
"Miami University and the city of Oxford are the two largest entities in our community," Fischer said. "We have shared problems and this committee offers another conduit for coming up with shared solutions. We are at our most effective when we have a shared vision for the future of our community, and this committee will help ensure we have that shared vision."
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