Advisors to Help Build Off-Campus Community

August 24, 2010 –Georgetown students who live off campus will soon have community advisors living in their neighborhoods, in an attempt to better serve them while enhancing town-gown relations.

"We're really breaking ground here -- we aren't aware of similar programs at peer institutions," says Jeanne Lord, associate vice president for student affairs. "The advisors will serve as a resource to students and will educate them about civic responsibility, in keeping with our Jesuit tradition."

The Office of Off Campus Student Life hired the community advisors -- modeled after residence hall directors -- over the summer.

The new employees will help students navigate such responsibilities as property maintenance, proper trash disposal and recycling, landlord and roommate issues, dealing with emergencies and accessing city services.

"Hiring the advisors is partly a response to off campus students and parents who have asked for a stronger connection to campus and help in transitioning to off-campus life," Lord explains. "But it builds on other programs we have in place to promote community and responsibility."

Advisor Dana Frommer will work with students living in the Burleith neighborhood, while Ben Anderson will serve as the advisor in West Georgetown.

"On the broadest level, our job will be to work with students and neighbors to strengthen relationships," Anderson says.

Frommer and Anderson also plan to address issues unique to each area and to host educational and social programming designed to help students explore life in the nation's capital.

Both advisors will be part of off-campus orientation program next week.

The Office of Off Campus Student Life has traditionally been open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. But thanks to the arrival of the advisors, the office has expanded it hours and staff members are now available Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.