Planning commission needs to consider housing complex

Two companies have shown interest in building a student-housing complex off Richland Avenue. The project has not yet been approved, and the Athens Planning Commission should investigate the companies fully before giving the green light for construction.

The first question the commission must ask is whether the 30-acre site west of Ohio University Inn, off Richland Avenue and Dairy Lane, is appropriate for the complex, which would house as many as 904 residents. University Courtyard, which opened practically across the street in the fall, is about half the size and has yet to be filled to capacity.

The new complex, if full, would increase the number of residents on Richland Avenue by 50 percent, creating logistical problems with traffic and utilities. The planning commission needs to make sure there are no other suitable sites in Athens. And the members must decide if Athens really needs 900 more beds for its residents.

The city must investigate the companies and their hiring practices. The workers should be local and be paid fair wages for quality work. In a project of this scope, there is no room for mistakes. Athens cannot handle another University Courtyard.

The fact that two companies see a market for quality housing should be a wake-up call for Athens landlords. Students would not complain about lack of apartments or houses if the landlords would fix the property already available close to campus. Unless they take care of their property, landlords will lose tenants — and rent money — to the new complexes.

The emphasis on the housing project, if built, should be quality. University Courtyard has had its share of problems, including burst pipes, spreading mold and screws in garbage disposals. Another complex won’t benefit Athens if it is not constructed properly. Many students will be willing to pay higher rent to live in clean, comfortable facilities.

 

Athletes need to place more emphasis on academics

A 12-percent drop in the graduation rate of Ohio football players in 2001 appears to be a fluke.

Only half of the 11 to 15 football players who were recruited in 1995 graduated in 2001. Ohio University officials attribute the 50 percent rate to the coaching change from Tom Lichtenberg to Jim Grobe.

Although not an excuse for the low graduation rate, the coaching change is not a reoccurring event. A low rate for one year does not indicate a trend.

But coaches and athletic administrators still must put an emphasis on grades and academic performance. The problem of players not graduating is not a phenomenon exclusive to the football team. Other sports’ coaches need to make sure their players are earning their degrees while on athletic scholarships.

As athletes and coaches know, the primary reason to attend college is to obtain an education. If OU is paying full or partial scholarships, the athletes should make the most of the opportunity to earn their degrees. Athletic prowess is a great way to pay for a college education, but school should not become an afterthought.

Though officials said the coaching change caused the low graduation rate, the number of football players who did not earn their degrees from OU might be a sign of a deeper problem. Athletes need to take their education seriously. And though it does not seem to be happening year after year, coaches of all sports need to place an emphasis on academics, including graduation rates, as well as athletics.