Blanton Named Director of Off-Campus Student Services

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 24, 2010) – Associate Dean of Students Tony Blanton has been named director of the new University of Kentucky Office of Off-Campus Student Services.

[IMAGE1]"Mr. Blanton’s past responsibilities as associate dean of students have prepared him well for the responsibilities of the new position, given his experience with the Town & Gown Commission, the University Neighborhood Advisory Committee, and his extensive knowledge of the Code of Student Conduct and other related university regulations," said Victor Hazard, interim vice president for the Division of Student Affairs.

The new Division of Student Affairs office will create programs and provide services and solutions to help students who live off campus remain connected to the university while becoming more connected to the community at-large. The programs and services of the office will promote student safety, facilitate matriculation and increase persistence to graduation for students choosing to live off campus.

Dana Macaulay, the current assistant director for student rights and responsibilities, will take over the interim responsibilities of adjudicating violations of the Code of Student Conduct.

Primarily, the Office of Off-Campus Student Services will focus on:

• Promoting skill development, student independence and good citizenship. Blanton will be involved in assessing student needs and interests, as well as maintaining knowledge of current trends and best practices in the fields of student affairs and higher education law, utilizing assessment data, student development theories and other models in planning and developing activities, programs and services.

• Promoting community building between students and permanent residents who live in the areas where large numbers of students rent property. Blanton will serve as an advocate for students living off campus with landlords, the city and other parties, working as a university and city liaison to improve student safety as well as relations between students and the city. He also will serve as a UK representative to the Town & Gown Commission.

• Conducting mediation and intervention between landlords and students. The office will provide information and samples of leases, complaint letters and other housing-related documents. Blanton will aid students in making informed decisions about housing and roommate selections.