2 | The Lantern | Thursday, November 2, 2023
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Exploring historic off-campus neighborhoods By Audrey Taylor Lantern Reporter Students living off campus often gravitate toward older houses with character, but they may not know the rich lore associated with their off-campus neighborhood. Doreen Uhas-Sauer, president of the University Area Commission and off-campus resident since the 1960s, said a few of the oldest standout neighborhoods include Iuka Ravine, Northwood Park and Dennison Place. “In an older house, you get mantles, and you get wonderful woodwork, and you get certainly all of the quirkiness and charm of an older house,” Uhas-Sauer said. “On the other hand, you can also inherit some of the natural aging [factors of an older house].” Platted in 1905, Uhas-Sauer said Iuka Ravine was one of the last places not developed by a company
when it was sold by the Neil Estate. “People put their own houses in [Iuka Ravine], which is why the houses are said to grow organically,” Uhas-Sauer said. Uhas-Sauer said the neighborhood’s architects took advantage of the natural terrain and landscaping, paving curvilinear roadways near forests and trees. According to the Statement of Significance for Iuka Ravine Marker, the neighborhood became the first street in Columbus to break the grid pattern.
house where fugitive slaves were hidden, according to the statement. The tunnel has mostly collapsed, but a few yards are still accessible from the building’s basement. A Council of Historic Neighborhoods brochure said Northwood Park, an off-campus neighborhood where many students live, was built between 1905 and 1920, with an outlier built in 1930. The area, including Northwood and Oakland avenues, consists of six blocks of original housing, which has been kept intact.
The statement said the neighborhood’s Uhas-Sauer said architectural styles can largest residential landmark is the Neil trace the passage of time, and according STUDIO, ONE, Mansion at 1842 Indianola Ave. The build- to a Council of Historic Neighborhoods TWO & THREE ing, which was home to the Kappa Sigma brochure, many architectural styles can be BEDROOM Fraternity chapter at Ohio State since 1918 seen throughout UNITS Northwood Park, although prior to the chapter’s closing in 2020, first American FourSquare — characterized by East Broad looked out to what was once Vance Farms.366 a box-like, 2.5-storyStreet form, often with a cenColumbus, Ohio — 43215 tral dormer window is the most common. The mansion is said to have a passageway entry leading to a tunnel underneath the
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“[Architectural styles] tell us about, really, both the exterior styles that were popular in certain areas, but they also tell us about the socioeconomic status of the people who were moving in, or the change in population,” Uhas-Sauer said. CONTINUES ON PAGE 3
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Thursday, November 2, 2023 | The Lantern | 3
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 Students living on Northwood or Oakland avenues should also know the neighborhood created a long-lived reputation for gardening in 1907, according to a Northwood Park Garden Club brochure. The notoriety started when the streets were deemed “Beautiful Northwood Park,” and the hype escalated between 1912 and 1916 when two garden clubs for each Northwood and Oakland avenues received the top two “Most Beautiful Street” awards. Dennison Place, a neighborhood south of Ohio State and also known as “The Circles,” is known for its circular islands, and was platted by Ann Dennison in 1888, according to a Council of Historic Neighborhoods brochure. “It’s interesting because the houses in Dennison Place and houses around South Campus are actually fairly old because the university actually started around 11th Avenue, not 15th,” Uhas-Sauer said. “And so, the older, original houses — many of which were beautiful older homes — have been lost.” According to the same brochure, over 90 percent of homes in Dennison Place were renovated in the last 30 years, and the community now consists of 400 homes filled with some Ohio State faculty, five churches, an elementary school and a range of restaurants and retail shops. While preserving the historic housing throughout the university area, ongoing renovations are inevitable, but Uhas-Sauer said Columbus handles the communities’ history more sensitively than in the 1970s. “Older neighborhoods and new develop-
CALEB BLAKE | PHOTO EDITOR
Neil Mansion, located at 1842 Indianola Ave., is the largest residential landmark in the Iuka Ravine district.
ment can exist near each other and really be complimentary,” Uhas-Sauer said. Because large institutions and nearby neighborhoods mutually affect each other, Uhas-Sauer said the university area is different from other areas around and understanding, realizing and acting like that will improve the area. “I think they have to look holistically at keeping what is essentially an intergenerational community of various socioeconomic and diverse groups,” Uhas-Sauer said.
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4 | The Lantern | Thursday, November 2, 2023
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Solutions to mail theft in the off-campus area By Kate Shields Asst. Campus Editor This article was originally published Feb. 1 and was updated for the fall housing edition. Ordering an item online and not receiving it can be a common frustration for students living off campus as a result of theft. The high frequency of stolen packages can be attributed to several factors including unmonitored mailrooms. To combat the inconvenient and financially frustrating issue, some students are opting to have Amazon packages delivered to the Amazon Hub lockers on North High Street. According to an annual report from security.com, 44 million Americans had at least one package stolen in the past three months. Taylor Stanton, a third-year in public management, leadership and policy, said she has had issues with the setup of her
off-campus duplex that caused issues with delivery that ultimately led to theft.
“When they leave it near the front door, it does get stolen very frequently because we can’t hear people knock down there,” Stanton said. Stanton also said she has had issues with boxes being ripped into and tampered with. “One of my roommates actually had someone open it out front and they just left it open because they didn’t want it,” Stanton said.
According to Amazon’s customer service page, once a package arrives, the company will send a confirmation email that includes instructions on how to retrieve it. Customers then have “three calendar days,” and if it is not picked up in that time frame, Amazon will refund the purchase and take the package back. Sgt. David Scarpitti, spokesperson for the Columbus Division of Police, said in an
email that students should report if they have packages stolen, so Columbus Police can better track and solve these crimes. “The Division understands that package thefts can be frustrating and financially damaging,” Scarpitti said. “We encourage crime victims to file a police report, being as specific as possible when providing both suspect and stolen property information, to increase solvability.”
Stanton said using the Amazon Hub lockers is straightforward. “On the Amazon website, when you order you can just click that you want it to go to your nearest pickup location,” Stanton said. “Whenever the item does arrive, you will receive a barcode and then you just go into the Amazon store and scan the barcode.”
KATE SHIELDS | ASST. CAMPUS EDITOR
The Amazon Hub, located at 2114 N. High St., aids students in avoiding package theft.
Housing Statistics: As told by OSU students on The Lantern’s Instagram & Twitter
Someone I know has: 23%
I have and someone I know has: 6%
No: 45% I have: 26%
Have you/someone you know had a package stolen?
5 or More Nights: 5% 0 Nights: 10% 3-4 Nights: 24%
1-2 Nights: 63%
How many nights a week do you eat out/order delivery?
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Thursday, November 2, 2023 | The Lantern | 7
University District residents reflect on off-campus living, share advice for students By Reilly Ackermann Lantern Reporter Between the house party noise and early morning treks to classes, students who come and go after four years pass by residents who have called the University District home for decades. According to the University District Organization, only 22 percent of homes in the area are owned, while the rest are rented, and these dwellers are looking to bridge the divide between students and residents. Doreen Uhas-Sauer, an Iuka Ravine resident, said many longtime residents have either received their degrees from Ohio State or have been associated with the university in some way. They often understand the challenges students face and wish to build a community with them, rather than just live in the same one. “It’s amazing how many times we, as the more permanent residents, become the go-to people when life gets crazy, and we’re there for you,” Uhas-Sauer said.
it can be inconvenient for other residents. “[Student residents] do not consider others. They think their front porches are an extension of their living room at 2:30 in the morning,” Dempsey said. Kelly Downes, an Iuka Ravine resident, said when bringing up issues with noise, students often ask her why she lives on campus. Downes usually responds the same way: She doesn’t live on campus, but rather off campus in the University District. “These are neighborhoods. These are established residences, people that have lived here for years, people that absolutely love where we live,” Downes said. “I think when shown disrespect via noise, trash or whatever just a general showing of disrespect, and that’s what would potentially cause issues. But no one wants to have issues. We want to coexist.” Palus said the best way to create relationships with neighbors is for students to simply introduce themselves.
While permanent residents can be a great resource for students living off campus, Xenia Palus, who’s lived in the Northwood Park Historic District for 45 years, said being respectful is incredibly important.
“You know who the students are and who the students are not. So, take a chance and knock on the door and say, ‘Hey I just moved to the area. I just want to make myself aware of what I need to know,’” Palus said. “Maybe you’ll meet me and Dale and we’ll say, ‘Hi, let us know what you need!’”
“The one thing I tell students who live around me [is], ‘I don’t want to be your mom.’ I want to be that quirky aunt you can come over and visit or knock on my door and feel free to ask me for anything,” Palus said. “I want them to carry some of those positive traits of being respectful of their own colleagues, to those of us who have lived in the neighborhood for so long.”
Downes said having respect for your neighbors and building relationships with them is the best way to bridge the divide. Showing respect for your area, whether watching noise levels or picking up trash, is important to others who call the University District home.
Some longtime residents believe students forget that not everyone living around them is in college. Dale Dempsey, a Northwood Historic resident, said being inconsiderate of neighbors is a major issue because noise carries on their street, and
“That is respect from both sides. Of course, people are going to have parties. Of course, me and my wife, we love to play music and sit outside on football Saturdays and all of that. The culture in the neighborhood is very diverse, and I think everyone who lives here is super open-minded, but I think the
REILLY ACKERMANN | LANTERN REPORTER
The University District is home to 35,899 residents, according to the University District Organization website. Over of a fifth of homes are owneroccupied, while 78 percent are renter-occupied.
interaction [between students and longtime residents] is the biggest thing I think all of us would like to see more of,” Downes said. Uhas-Sauer echoed this sentiment and said creating relationships with and showing respect to neighbors who are longtime residents can be both rewarding and beneficial to students and the community as a whole. She said to take their suggestions in stride and be kind.
“Please don’t be a stranger. Reach out to the neighbors around you who are not students. Meeting in the alley while getting rid of trash is a great place — or a good morning as you dash for class or to your car,” Uhas-Sauer said in an email. “Sometimes this can result in a plate of brownies when you least expect it. We’re here to have your back when you need it too.”
8 | The Lantern | Thursday, November 2, 2023
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Why your dorm won’t have AC before the heat returns By Mariam Abaza Lantern Reporter There are usually a handful of dreaded dorm assignments when housing applications open, but few compare to those that lack air conditioning. There are eight residence halls on campus without air conditioning: Baker Hall East and West, Canfield Hall, Mack Hall, Bradley Hall, Fechko House, Mendoza Hall and Paterson Hall. All the other 30-some new or renovated dorms have air conditioning. “These are older buildings that were not designed, when first built, to accommodate air conditioning,” Dave Isaacs, communications and media relations manager for Student Life, said. Baker and Canfield halls were built in 1940; Mack was built in 1923 and Bradley
in 1955. Isaacs said the halls must be remodeled completely and “retrofitted” before air conditioning units can be installed. Zara Haque, a first-year in finance, was assigned to a dorm without air conditioning when housing decisions were released in August. To prepare, she and her roommate bought five fans and a box fan, which they strategically placed around the quad to promote airflow. Despite this, Haque described the dorm as so hot she couldn’t sleep or study. The heat was especially bad during the first few weeks of the school year, and she “even considered sleeping in the [air-conditioned] lobby,” she said. “It is not logical to have a dorm with no AC when your house is supposed to be comfortable and where you spend most of your time,” Haque said. If Ohio State were to add air conditioning
to the buildings, Isaacs said the dorms would have to be fully shut down during the construction process. Ohio State does not have the capacity to close halls during the school year, so construction work must be condensed over the summer. Since the school year only overlaps with summer heat for a few weeks, students often find it a fair trade for the price break, Isaacs said. Efforts have been taken to ensure as much comfort as possible, including hallways built with increased airflow and vents on the doors. In the past few years, Ohio State embarked on the special project of installing air conditioning units in the lobbies of every hall. Isaacs said this task did not require a full building shutdown, making it a more feasible and immediate option than installing wide-scale air conditioning. Due to her quad’s shared bathroom, Haque’s dorm is considered “Rate 2”
through Ohio State’s housing process. The university has four main types of rates: Rate 1, which runs students $4,899 a semester, Rate 2 at $4,081, Rate 2A at $3,951 and Rate 3 at $3,815 per semester. A definite timeline for air conditioning installation was not provided, however, Isaacs said they would “hopefully move forward now that the pandemic is over.” “We are working towards air conditioning, yet our progress was impacted by COVID,” Isaacs said.
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The Housing Situation at Ohio State As told by Lantern readers
Do you live in a house or apartment? House
45% 55%
Apartment
How do you get to campus?
71%
18%
7%
4%
How many roommates do you live with? 21%
0 Roommates
30%
1 Roommate
12%
2 Roommates
37%
3+ Roommates
What is your monthly rent? Less than $450 $500$700 $750$900 $1,000+
9% 29% 35% 27%
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Thursday, November 2, 2023 | The Lantern | 11
Know your rights: Resources to make informed decisions on your lease and landlord
By Charlotte Huot Lantern Reporter
When making the transition from onto off-campus home life, it is crucial students understand their rights as renters. There are several resources offered at Ohio State to aid in this, including Ohio State’s Student Legal Services, Off-Campus Housing Network and the Undergraduate Student Government’s renters’ guide. Frank
Kremer, chief counsel of the civil team at Student Legal Services, said their office offers consultations and lease reviews and aids in communication with landlords. “We do a comprehensive review of the lease agreement with you, paragraph by paragraph, section by section, all the addendums, whatever you need,” Kremer said. “We want to do it with you and explain to you what each of the provisions actually mean.”
Aside from lease reviews, Student Legal Services also recommends knowing what is and isn’t legal when it comes to renting.
“Ask questions: find out what your rights are as a tenant, find out what the landlord’s obligations and duties to you are so you’re at least educated and informed and you can make a decision based on what’s best for you,” Kremer said. “And obviously we’re here as a resource to advocate for you if needed.” Another resource available to students is the Off-Campus Housing Network, which provides a list of approved landlords who follow certain criteria determined by the university. The criteria include having leases that abide by city, state and federal law, and making sure properties meet the Columbus housing code. They must be registered with Franklin County, have carbon monoxide detectors and provide and main-
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tain exterior lighting at the front and rear. The USG’s renter’s guide, developed from survey results regarding landlords’ performance in certain areas, also assists off-campus students, particularly in the house-hunting process. The most recent guide includes poll results regarding property condition and upkeep, landlord responsiveness and professionalism, safety measures, maintenance concerns and security deposit returns. “USG has produced the Renter’s Guide annually since 2004,” Jack Tumulty, a thirdyear in economics and business and senior counselor for USG, said. “The goal is not to recommend one landlord over another but to allow students to make informed decisions in the leasing process based on the criteria that is important to them. We are consistently innovating the guide so that it reflects the criteria most relevant to students.”
12 | The Lantern | Thursday, November 2, 2023
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Sustainability tips for off-campus living By Reilly Ackermann & Kyrie Thomas Lantern Reporters As the months grow colder and days grow shorter, students living off campus may be tempted to turn the heat up and keep the lights on, but doing so could have a negative impact on their wallet and the environment. Practicing sustainability off campus can help students not only cut down on their carbon footprint but also save money, Tom Reeves, director of Sustainability with the Office of Student Life, said in an email. He said students can save energy by turning their thermostats back a couple of degrees, as well as opting to use public transportation and refrain from creating excess waste through thrifting and recycling. “Culturally, we tend to focus more on what to do with waste once it’s created, but the best way to reduce what goes to the landfill is to not create waste at all,” Reeves said in an email. “Stop using paper plates and plastic forks and knives. Instead, get a reusable set to carry in your backpack.” He said another huge source of landfill waste is “old stuff,” including clothing, household items and furniture. “Consider donating these items instead of pitching them,” Reeves said. Recycling is also a resource students can utilize off campus. The University District Organization’s “Can Fairy” project gives students living between 16th and Chittenden avenues free recycling boxes. The “can fairies,” a team of the organization’s employees, then empty the boxes for the students every Monday during the academic year, according to previous Lantern reporting. Nora Gerber, executive director of the University District Organization, said the project is a very easy way to be sustain-
able by diverting litter from the landfill, and it also helps cultivate pride in the community. “One, it’s helping Earth be happy. And two, we have this really bad habit of excessive litter on lawns,” Gerber said. “So by having a way to really easily recycle and keep our lawns clean and our neighborhoods clean, I think it will show that we have a lot more pride in our University District.” Reeves said anyone can recycle in their homes, sometimes it may just take a couple more steps, including bringing the bin to a neighborhood recycling center, managed by the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio. Everyone needs to take responsibility for reducing litter, Reeves said. Reducing litter can also stem from the process of composting. Ohio State’s Undergraduate Student Government has partnered with the local nonprofit, The Compost Exchange, to make the process easier for off-campus students. “The entire city of Columbus is doing what you should do. To get that apple core and banana peel out of the house, where do you put it?” Ray Leard, chief composter at the exchange said. “The trash. So, just change the path, it’s as simple as that.” USG and the exchange’s off-campus composting initiative runs until Dec. 3, providing students free composting buckets with drop-off locations in Clintonville, the Short North and on Lane Avenue, according to the project’s guidelines. “I think what’s really cool about this program is we’re getting students to engage with community members and local community-run businesses,” Lily Des Rosiers, the director of sustainability for USG, said. “Getting students outside of the Ohio State bubble is beneficial to bridge the gap between campus and Columbus.”
LANTERN FILE PHOTO
Students can practice sustainability off campus through their neighborhood recycling center.
Composting food provides a plethora of benefits for the surrounding environment, such as taking food scraps away from landfills and decreasing produced emissions, Des Rosiers said. While composting is good for the environment on its own, Leard said the main appeal is the ease of simply bypassing the trash can and going straight to a compost bin. The act of being more environmentally conscious can seem overwhelming and daunting for many students, Des Rosiers said, but in reality that concern often stems from a lack of resources, an issue that Ohio State is directly trying to combat. Ohio State also offers sustainability resources to students, faculty and staff regardless of where they live, Reeves said. The Willie J. Young Sr. Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement depart-
ment provides sustainability resources, which can be found on its website. “Ohio State offers composting services to all students [and faculty and staff] regardless of where they live,” Reeves said. “Students can sign up to receive a bin, which they can bring to one of several drop-off locations around campus, including ones that are right on High Street.” Reeves said that the biggest way to make a difference is to slow down and think about how students’ decisions could impact the environment. “But to me, it’s about protecting the environment. Let’s be clear: climate change is real, and it is caused by humans — this is scientific fact. And we are already seeing impacts of climate change through intense weather events around the globe and right here in Ohio. People have created this mess, and it’s up to us to clean it up.” Reeves said.