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Home My WebLink About09-15-10 (CCAC) Community/Campus Advisory Coalitionti »i ~~ ~~, ~ i ~ - a. n,.. t ~ ~; y ~:i ~ , ~. •;, ~.... `':.. .1415 , Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) 0j~i' EH~~'i / ~~ '/! < `~~ C The September 15, 2010 meeting of the Community/Campus Advisory Coalition was held in the informal Common Council meeting room on the 4th floor of the County-City Building. The meeting was called to order at approximately 3:05 p.m. by South Bend Common Council at Large Member AI "Buddy" Kirsits. Mr. Kirsits welcomed everyone in attendance and asked that everyone introduce themselves. Attendees included: Mayor Stephen Luecke, Assistant City Attorney Ann- Carol Nash, Captain Robert Hammer and Cpl. Derek Dieter (also Common Council President) South Bend Police Department, Common Council Member Ann Puzzello Common Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, University of Notre Dame Representatives, Student Body President, Catherine Soler, Father Thomas Doyle, Brian Coughlin, Ann Firth and Tim Sexton, Saint Mary's Representatives Student Body President Rachael Chesley, Katie Cuda and Patrick Daniel, Holy Cross Representative Student Body President Sarah Fugarino, and Dan Cochran, IUSB Representative Jeff Jones, Robinson Center Adult Program Coordinator Marguerite Taylor, Attorneys Richard Nussbaum and Chip Lewis, St. Joseph County Prosecutor Mike Dvorak and Deputy Prosecutor Chris Daniels, Landlords of Off-Campus Housing Representative Mark Kramer, Neighborhood Resident, Brian Levey, Alcoholic Beverage Board Member Mike Carrington and South Bend Tribune Reporter Margaret Fosmoe. Father Thomas Doyle Father Thomas Doyle, recently named Notre Dame Vice-President for Student Affairs, will be joining CCAC on a regular basis. Due to the recent student arrests for underage drinking, Father Doyle has already had meetings with Chief Boykins, Captain Rynearson, County Prosecutor Mike Dvorak and the Excise Police. He asked if CCAC was the proper forum to bring student issues to and was assured that it was. His hope is that the group can continue to be creative and productive and he will commit his best efforts to help students be good neighbors and citizens. Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) September 15, 2010 Meeting Minutes Page 2 SAINT MARY'S Rachael Chesley said the school year is off to a great start. Saint Mary's is in the process of organizing several community activities. NOTRE DAME Student government is working on a student discount program, "Students for South Bend", with many South Bend merchants. There has been a lot of positive feedback from the students about Eddy Street Commons. Student Body President Catherine Soler handed out a memo outlining student government's efforts to improve community relations and student safety. Student government leaders have met with South Bend Police in an effort to improve communications between the City and University. They have also distributed flyers and sent emails to students reminding them to act responsibly and respectfully of their neighbors and what the implications are for illegal activity. They are planning to meet with Excise Police, and will be presenting programs on safe and legal partying and the illegal use of alcohol and its ramifications. Plans are already underway for the next Communiversity Day and may possibly be expanded to an entire weekend. Students are also planning on helping at the Robinson Center Picnic. The Rock Party held at Notre Dame the first weekend students were back was a huge success. Some 5500 students stayed on campus to enjoy the party. Brian Coughlin organized the gathering and made sure that surrounding neighborhoods were aware that the party would be taking place. Due to his efforts, there were no noise complaints that evening and the attendees thoroughly enjoyed the event. Holy Cross Holy Cross is off to a great start as well. There are 250 incoming freshman this year. Student government is working on community programs as well. Currently the school is in the second phase of renovating the Student Union. Underage Drinking A lengthy discussion took place regarding the recent arrests of college students for underage drinking. Attorney Richard Nussbaum received many calls from friends living in other areas saying their children had been arrested for underage drinking. He said there is a perception that the police are targeting university students in particular. Many felt that tickets should have been issued rather than arresting the students. Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) September 15, 2010 Meeting Minutes Page 3 Captain Hammer said that officers were not targeting student parties, but rather were responding to neighborhood complaints about loud parties. He said officers use discretion on whether to ticket or arrest. Prosecutor Mike Dvorak said that perhaps officers could have issued more tickets and arrested fewer students, but it was important to note that underage drinking is a crime. Students receiving a ticket may mistakenly believe that a ticket is for an infraction. He said that in the case of underage drinking, a ticket is a promise to appear before a judge and is just as serious as being arrested. He said many students don't realize that a conviction for underage drinking (which is a crime) will close many doors for graduate school and jobs. As an example, he said that someone convicted of underage drinking would probably not be able to get a job as a fast food manager, because it is a crime and they could not be bonded because of it. Mr. Dvorak said the Prosecutor's office very often uses a pretrial diversion program for first time offenders, and, if completed successfully, the charge is expunged. He said that the Prosecutor's Office is not so generous to second and third time offenders. The pretrial diversion program carries with it costs of $320.00 and 20 hours of community service. Tim Sexton said that in addition to that, Notre Dame students receive internal discipline, are required to do 15 more hours of community service and their parents are notified. Mr. Dvorak noted that since the arrests by Excise Police and South Bend Police and the ensuing discussions, he has seen a shift to fewer arrests and more tickets being issued. It was also noted that a couple of complaints were lodged by students about police officers acting inappropriately. Those complaints are being investigated by Internal Affairs. Ann Puzzello commented that some neighborhood residents thought it was good that the police acted swiftly. Neighborhoods don't want to deal with loud parties. Underage drinking is something we want taken care of. While some neighborhood representatives thought things were better, Ann-Carol Nash said that the recent problems led her to think otherwise. It has been necessary for her to send out more abate letters than usual. Mike Carrington said that discretion is the key in dealing with underage drinking. Things started off differently this year with more arrests of students than tickets being issued, but through dialog between police and schools, that problem is being corrected. Mr. Carrington said that when he first came to CCAC he was skeptical that the Coalition would be able to accomplish much, but he has been impressed with what has been accomplished over the last few years. Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) September 15, 2010 Meeting Minutes Page 4 Derek Dieter asked that the Excise Police be asked to attend the next meeting as discussions on the underage drinking problem continue. Buddy Kirsits said that he saw this problem as a "blip" and didn't feel it was totally unexpected. His concern is that students do not perceive drinking to excess as a danger. He noted that recently an adult was found passed out and his life was saved by the paramedics that went to his aid. If not for a quick response this man could have died. Drinking to excess is a dangerous activity for anyone. The Mayor said he was impressed with the conversation and that people are coming together to solve problems. Break Ins Neighborhood resident Brian Levey said that while he feels underage drinking is a problem that needs to be addressed, he feels that theft, especially during home game weekends is on the rise and is a more important problem. Captain Hammer talked briefly about break ins and the steps people can take to limit their exposure. He said that there was a recent home invasion at a home shared by students. In that instance, the back door had been left unlocked and the thieves entered through that door. He suggested that people lock their doors and windows. He also said to remove personal electronic items from cars. Seeing an Ipod or laptop computer sitting on a car seat makes a break in more likely. The next meeting will be will be held on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. at IUSB. Council Member Kirsits thanked everyone for attending. The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Charles S. Leone, Recording Secretary Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) ~~ /i Council Member AI "~dy" Kirsits-Chairperson Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC)