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Neighborhood Livability Working Group <br />Good Neighbor Strategy <br />Problem Description <br />There are often distinct differences in expectations around acceptable behaviors between long- and short-term <br />residents in campus area neighborhoods, particularly those still dominated by single family homes. The former <br />may hope that each new batch of neighbors will be quiet and respectful, while the latter may see view their new <br />independence and proximity to campus as a license to party with abandon. The likelihood for respect and <br />peaceful coexistence is enhanced if social connections can be built between these different types of neighbors <br />through face to face interactions and sharing of perspective, expectations and information. <br /> <br />The UO currently coordinates the collection of university and city materials that encourage student and long term <br />neighbors to develop positive relationships, tips for partying legally, renter rights and responsibilities, and how to <br />avoid being a victim of crime. These materials are distributed at the annual Community Welcome and the Off <br />Campus Housing Fair events, distributed to neighborhood leaders via Neighborhood Services packets and at <br />meetings and are available online via the Office of Government and Community Relations and Office of the Dean <br />of Students websites. <br /> <br /> neighbors or necessarily reflect the view or needs of all <br />neighbors. There is not universal agreement on content and distribution remains a challenge. Neighbors have <br />suggested a number of ways to enhance these efforts. <br /> <br />Strategy Description <br /> Assess information available that promotes good neighbor behavior and understanding of applicable laws <br />and ordinances. Use this information to develop downloadable PDFs to: <br /> Use as handouts or scripts when meeting renters in the neighborhood. <br />R <br /> Develop a version for students living in dense conditions so that they know their rights in respect to <br />R <br />noise violations and strategies for talking to neighbors as well as contacting landlords and/or the <br />police. <br /> Provide an information fact sheet that includes city code that is good to know for off-campus students <br />R <br />and encourage students to meet their neighbors for safety and neighborly reasons. Make this <br />information available on each neighborhood association webpage for use by neighborhood groups, <br />police, city councilors or others. <br /> <br />experience with past renters at residences that have been a source of problems. <br /> Leave information at address locations that are the source of a complaint for behavior problems, <br />regardless of whether or not citations are issued, that includes relevant ordinance(s) and fines. <br /> Solicit help of landlords in getting neighbors together to build relationships and inform new residents of the <br />noise ordinance, garbage service, home care responsibility, etc. <br /> <br />promoting respect and harmony in the neighborhood. <br /> Collaborate with the university and students in producing a video that promotes good neighbor behavior <br />and understanding. <br /> <br />Costs and Potential Resources <br /> While requiring significant investment in time, primarily of landlords and neighborhood volunteers, this <br />strategy is low cost and has the potential to be an effective, efficient means of creating a livable <br />neighborhood. <br /> Neighborhood association meetings, newsletters and web pages provide opportunities to assist with <br />promotion. The Rental Owners Association is also a resource to help promote this approach. <br /> <br />32 <br />Page <br /> <br />