The Council of Representatives (COR) discussed the new off-campus Web site in their meeting on Tuesday evening.
After a recommendation made by the Campus Life Council (CLC) last year, a specific committee was assigned the task of creating a Web site focused on off-campus life.
Members of the committee who had worked on the development of the Web site were on hand to present their plans and answer questions that the council had about the new Web site.
The Web site is designed to allow students to find useful information about places and events off campus in one location, rather than having to visit several Web sites.
CLC and the Office of Student Affairs are sponsoring the Web site that is tentatively set to launch in early March.
The project was developed in part from the Good Neighbor Guide, the current booklet given to students that reside off campus. Instead of reprinting copies of the guide from year to year, the Web site would contain virtually all the information listed in the guide.
Along with this information, the Web site will also incorporate various other aspects of off-campus life.
Information from the presentation given last Wednesday by attorney C.L. Lindsay about students' rights off campus will also be included.
Members of COR suggested that an additional tab called "Entertainment" that lists bars, pubs, clubs and other nightlife venues in the Michiana area be added to the site.
Members also proposed a tab with links to shopping around the Michiana area. The shopping would include directions to Wal-Mart, Target and other places relevant to students.
In addition, information regarding safety off campus will also be available. This will include a link to a crime prevention officer from the South Bend Police Department.
Students will be able to e-mail the officer and ask to place their name on a listserv that will alert subscribers if a crime happens in their area.
A listing of local cab numbers was also recommended.
Although the Web site was designed with the purpose of helping students off campus, members of COR felt that it would also benefit students who reside on campus as well.
"I think that the Web site would be useful for people before they move off campus. Also, there are many people on campus who go off campus who could also use the site," junior class president Kim Kyrouac said.
Since the Web site is also in part a conjunction with the Office of Residence Life and Housing, it will include a list of rules that apply to off-campus students as well as important rules from du Lac.
One recommendation by COR members that will not be included in the Web was a classifieds section. The committee who put the Web site together felt that certain privacy issues could arise if students were placing ads for potential roommates.
While the ND Media Group was behind the initial construction of the Web site, Student Government members will be responsible for its upkeep.
In other COR news:
u COR voted unanimously to approve the seven individuals elected to the Election Committee of Judicial Council. The Election Committee deals with election violations such as campaigning before turning in petitions or tearing down of campaign signs.
u Grant Schmidt, student body vice president, announced that the off-campus discount booklets are now on sale both in the LaFortune Box Office and online. These booklets will be good through December 2009.
