Recordpub.com - Keeping the peace: Liaison hired to improve relationships between KSU students, neighbors

Neal Stefanko

By Matt Fredmonsky | staff writer

Neal Stefanko has been charged with a rather difficult task — keeping the peace between Kent residents and the Kent State University students living in their neighborhoods.

“I like a challenge,” Stefanko said.

The 30-year-old graduate assistant at Kent State University has been hired by KSU to fill the community liaison post, a position city and university leaders created with the vision of improving relationships between students and residents.

Initially, the city and KSU planned to split the $40,000 salary of the full-time position. But an interview panel of city and university staff did not find a full-time candidate after months of interviews and more than 100 applicants. So, Stefanko’s position has been scaled back to 20 hours per week and about half the salary.

He expects to spend much more time than that. In fact, Stefanko hit the ground running Wednesday night — just two weeks after being hired — and started canvassing neighborhoods around campus with members of the Undergraduate Student Government to introduce himself to students.

They’ll hit the streets and start knocking on doors again in October as Halloween approaches.

“And we’re going to try to go door to door throughout the year with a different message,” Stefanko said. “I’m not by any means sitting behind a desk making flyers.”

Right now, the message is preaching safety and communication. Stefanko pointed to the beating deaths of two KSU students within the past year as one discussion point in reminding students to act safely on nights out. He wants students to know the potential future consequences of their actions.

And he wants students to communicate with their neighbors and university and city administrators. He envisions broad cooperation among neighborhoods and is hopeful to encourage volunteer efforts, such as raking or shoveling, by student groups living in neighborhoods.

Stefanko is optimistic, but he’s not naive about how some students spend weekends and some week nights.

“Let’s be honest. You’re not going to stop it,” he said. “We’re trying to make it more responsible.”

11.	Posted by Dharma September 9, 2010
	As a resident ,since 1982, I take great offense when people claim that the residents do not want the university or students in town. That is not true at all. What most of us would like to see are respectful citizens that do not urinate in our yards, throw trash in our yards, pick up THEIR yards, take care of their dogs and clean up after them. respect the families that live in the neighborhoods. Don't drink and carry on outdoors when there are children on the street. Cut out the loud noise etc. after 10 pm, some people work early int he morning. It would also be nice if they would not line up beer cans and whiskey bottles on their porch railings. Stop blocking my drive with your car. Just general respect for the people in your neighborhood!! How about that for a start Mr. Stefanko?

10.	Posted by moroniohio1 September 9, 2010
	"Seriously? What an absolute waste of tax dollars on both sides. Fire Lefton & his cronies and start reducing tuition so more students have a chance for an education." You didn't read very carefully: this is a graduate assistantship as the full-time position never materialized. He is being paid next to nothing to do this while getting a his MBA. It's mostly a small stipend and some tuition credits. The city is paying nothing for this. The real challenge is understanding the two distinct cultures that exist in Kent: the students who have no sense of community or decency and the locals who can't stand all things associated with KSU. Most of the people who would work with this are people who already get along with each other. The problems come when students who don't act like the guests they are interact with the locals who wish the university wasn't here. As for a challenge, he's got one. The university doesn't have a clue what they're doing with this and they hired someone who is new to Kent and KSU and knows virtually nothing about either. Good guy though, but has a lot to learn to really be effective.

9.	Posted by HSGA Volunteer September 9, 2010
	Mr. Stefanko: I don't want to tell you how to do your job, I believe your first step to build bridges would be to build a sense of community within the college population. Two weeks ago, a car of college-age males parked their car in my driveway at 2:30 a.m. At first, I thought it was the neighbors, but when I heard voices, it definitely sounded closer to my house. When I looked out my window, I saw that they were relieving themselves on my trees and fence. Then when I told them to get off my property, they had the audacity to yell at me to mind my business. They left before I could call the police. This air of disrespect needs to change.