Good Neighbor program volunteers to inform students


LAWRENCE — A group of University of Kansas students will hit the pavement Friday to educate their classmates on how to be good citizens of Lawrence.

Approximately 100 volunteers — including KU students, city of Lawrence staff and other members of the Lawrence community — will canvass the Oread Neighborhood Aug. 23 to deliver welcome bags filled with information on city ordinances regarding pets, bikes, parking, trash, noise, alcohol and other topics related to being a good neighbor and community member.

The activity is part of the Good Neighbor program, an initiative launched last year by KU and the city of Lawrence to help students understand the responsibilities of living in Lawrence neighborhoods and how to be a good neighbor and citizen.

“Many students live off campus in a Lawrence neighborhood, often alongside non-student residents,” said Tim Caboni, vice chancellor for public affairs at KU. “We want to help students understand they're not only part of the KU community, but that they're also part of the larger Lawrence community.”

Volunteers will gather at the Beta Theta Pi house, 1425 Tennessee St., at 1 p.m. and then go door-to-door in the Oread Neighborhood — roughly defined as the area between Ninth and 17th streets and between Arkansas and Vermont streets. Volunteers will talk with as many residents as possible. If a resident isn’t home or doesn’t answer, volunteers will leave a Good Neighbor welcome bag on the doorstep.

Lawrence Vice Mayor Mike Amyx and KU Student Body President Marcus Tetwiler will take part in the activity.

“We are pleased to partner with KU on this program for another year,” said Amyx.  “Our goal is to educate all of our residents — students and non-students — about the roles and responsibilities of being a member of a community.”

In addition to helping students understand their responsibilities, the program is designed to help students understand their rights as well as access resources. The Good Neighbor welcome bag and website includes information on topics such as how to deal with landlords and how to stay safe while living in Lawrence.

“For many students, this is the first time they've lived without their parents or outside a KU residence hall,” said Jane Tuttle, assistant vice provost of student affairs at KU. “That can be challenging, so we want to ensure they have the information they need to be safe and comfortable.”

This is the second year student volunteers have delivered Good Neighbor welcome bags.

Thu, 08/22/2013

author

Joe Monaco

Media Contacts

Joe Monaco

KU Office of Public Affairs

785-864-7100