NARRAGANSETT – URI COALITION MEETING

December 14, 2004

SUBCOMMITTEE MEETINGS

The following subcommittees met prior to the steering committee: 

Common Ground (Chair:  Nancy Devaney)

Realtors/Neighborhood Association (Co-Chairs:  Eileen Desforges and Joe Robenhymer)

Programming (Chair: Leslie Williams)

Communications (Chair:  Tom Dougan)

The steering committee convened at 7pm. 

REPORT BY DR. ROBERT CAROTHERS

Dr. Carothers opening remarks stressed his interest in bringing students back to Kingston, and in reducing the conflict that comes when two very different lifestyles live next to each other in the community. He stated that as of the fall 2006 semester, 800 new beds would be built on the Kingston campus.  He said that an additional 2000 beds have been proposed for the following years.  He stated that the University owns the land, but financing construction has been a bigger difficulty.  He added that the rising property values in Narragansett might help bring students back to campus.

Dr. Carothers addressed difficulties in extending URI’s jurisdiction to off-campus students. URI’s actions need to be in accordance with the constitution, because URI is a state institution. Currently, the University can only address off-campus behavior when the offending student is deemed a danger to the health, welfare, and safety of the campus community.  URI is seeking to find new ways to extend jurisdiction.  

Dr. Carothers also discussed some of the University’s ongoing efforts to address the problem of off-campus behavior.  URI 101, a required course for all university freshman, requires public service projects to teach students to give back to the community.  The University has also held numerous orientations for students living off-campus.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

Communication Committee

The Communications Subcommittee is seeking to improve communication by taking an active role in orienting new coalition attendees.  The subcommittee is looking to restructure, taking on the responsibility of making sure direct complaints are brought to the proper source, so that they do not take up as much time during the steering committee meeting.

The Communications Committee helped to create an advertisement that can be seen on page 6 of the “Good 5 Cent Cigar” (during the week of December 13^th).  The advertisement reminds off-campus students to cancel newspapers, etc., during the winter break.

Programming Committee

The Programming Committee had a very successful food drive on December 11^th, with over 40 student volunteers (largely from the Greek Organization) and 10 coalition members.  Three trucks and one carload of food were collected for the Johnny Cake Center.  The Committee is planning to place a “thank you” in the “Good 5 Cent Cigar”.  

Realtor/Neighborhood Association Committee

Toni Santilli from the Building Inspector’s Office met with the Realtor/Neighborhood Association Committee.  He stated that rental registration forms will be mailed within the next two weeks.  The committee is also working with Tony Santilli and others to find new options for dealing with problems related to trash. 

The Realtor/Neighborhood Association worked to compile ordinances to make them easier to post.  Mark McSally gave his approval for the compiled list.

Common Ground

Common Ground reviewed Dr. William DeJong’s presentation from the last coalition meeting (the presentation is available on the coalition website: www.uri.edu/alcohol/coalition). 

Rish Patel (a leader of the Inter-Fraternity Council) discussed a proposal for a shuttle system that would run from campus to Narragansett.  This proposal will also be available on the coalition website for review.  Rish will continue to bring updates regarding this proposal to Common Ground.

Mark McSally met with Common Ground to discuss the new responsible beverage service legislation.  He will meet with this group again after the state sets forth new recommendations on that legislation after January 1^st. 

Common Ground will invite Bob Murray, a AAA representative, to speak about drinking and driving during the February meeting.

Steering Committee Business

The Steering Committee will meet on January 25^th at 6:30pm to interview candidates for the moderator position.  

Additional reports

The Narragansett Police Department has compiled records of loud party complaints for the past few years.  The following chart illustrates the number of calls for loud parties in Eastward Look and Bonnet Shores.  Years run from January 1^st to December 14^th.

NEXT MEETING

The next Narragansett Coalition Steering Committee Meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 15th at 7:00 in the large center hall of the Narragansett Town Hall.  

Common Ground, the Communications Committee, and the Programming Committee will meet prior to the Steering Committee at 6:00 in the Narragansett Town Hall.  The Realtor/Neighborhood Association Committee will also meet in the Narragansett Town Hall prior to the Steering Committee meeting, but will convene at 6:30.