(A) Establishment. A City-University Relations Commission is hereby created consisting of 12 members in accordance with the following:
(B) Composition and appointment. The composition of the Commission and method of appointment thereto shall be as follows:
(1) Four Bowling Green State University (BGSU) students, at least one of whom shall be a graduate student, and each of whom shall serve for a term of one academic year. Terms shall be staggered, with two of the initial student representatives serving a term of three academic semesters. Representatives shall be appointed jointly by the Undergraduate Student Government and Graduate Student Senate.
(2) Three Bowling Green residents, at least two of whom shall reside east of Main Street, and each of whom shall serve for a term of two years. Terms shall be staggered, with two of the initial resident representatives serving a term of one year. Representatives shall be appointed by the Mayor.
(3) (a) Five ex officio members, each of whom will serve for a term of two years:
1. One member of the City Council, to be appointed by the Mayor;
2. One representative of the local neighborhood association, to be appointed by that association;
3. One member of the local landlord community, to be appointed by that community;
4. One representative of the City of Bowling Green, to be appointed by the Mayor; and
5. One representative of BGSU, to be appointed by the President of BGSU.
(b) Terms shall be staggered, with the initial members representing the neighborhood association and landlord community serving a term of one year.
(C) Organization. The Commission shall elect its own chairperson, secretary, and such other officers as it deems advisable. The Commission shall have full power to organize itself and to determine its own rules, regulations, and bylaws. The Commission shall meet not less than once per month during the academic year at a regularly scheduled time, date, and place.
(D) Purpose. The purpose of the Commission shall be to serve as a forum to address recurring issues that arise between students and city residents, and may also impact other city and campus constituencies, including city employees and officials, and university administrators, faculty, and staff; and to thereby improve relations between these constituencies through inclusivity, collaboration, authentic dialogue, and policy recommendation. Issues that may be addressed by the Commission include, but are not limited to, neighborly conduct, student housing, nuisance parties, trash and litter, parking, drug and alcohol concerns, property crimes, and general disorderly behavior.
(E) Duties and responsibilities. The Commission shall work to diminish negative stereotypes of city and campus constituencies, research best practices regarding city-university relations and consult with other college towns, solicit public input and feedback, and foster civic engagement on these issues. The Commission shall serve as a venue for authentic dialogue and civic discourse and education, encourage community-wide investment in city and campus affairs, and promote collaborative approaches to public problem solving through coordination of stakeholders. The Commission shall report and recommend or propose policy changes to the city and/or university, as the Commission deems necessary and appropriate under the circumstances. The Commission is expressly authorized and directed to make such recommendations and proposals relative to legislation or policy matters as the Commission determines to be in the interest of city-university relations.
(Ord. 8324, passed 4-21-2014)