Student Senate approved the creation of the rental issues director position on April 21. The position will be put into effect during the fall 2008 semester, and will be a link for students and off-campus tenants.

Outgoing Student Senate President Frank Moullet worked with the current rental issues director, Mike Park, since winter to create this position. Student Senate has been providing information for off-campus housing, which is not appropriate for a student government to do, said Moullet.

The director will have an office in the Pioneer Student Center, and will be a half limited term employee, Moullet said. Over the course of the academic year, the director will work about 27 hours per week, and about 180 hours over winter, spring and summer breaks.

“This position will offer more power to offer advice and help to students,” Park said. “It will take that pressure off the president and administration to attend city meetings, because those will be the new person’s job duties.”

This individual will work closely with students beyond what was capable this year, Michael Viney, assistant chancellor for student affairs, said. They will be a link between the campus and community, and stay up-to-date by going to city meetings to address any issues with students and permanent residents.

Student Housing has maintained a Web site for students to access rental information, but the new director will take over the Web site and create a centralized location for students looking for off-campus housing information, said Moullet.

Moullet said they are hoping to fill the position with either a graduate or post-graduate, in hopes to keep one person in the position long-term. Extensive training will take place in Madison so the director is knowledgable of legal issues, the Wisconsin Administrative Code, and to stay current on rental issues.

“We don’t forsee it 100 percent operational for at least a year because it will take time to develop the services offered,” Moullet said.

According to the job description, approved by Senate, the director will maintain files of sample legal documents and leases; work in cooperation with Res-net to maintain and information website; develop and maintain a database of all rental properties, contacts, and landlords; develop and maintain a rental agreement checklist; arrange educational seminars to educate students about rental rights and responsibilities.

The position was also approved with a $21,025.12 budget, funded out of non-allocable student fees, Moullet said. The budget includes salary, and costs for creating the services. Depending on the person hired, the cost may drop due to the fringe benefits that are also included.

The position will be re-evaluated annually by student affairs, student senate, and SUFAC, to determine the need for job duties, Moullet said. Every three years the committee will review the position to determine student need.

“I hope that students will seek this individual out to help with their rental issues,” Park said.

Viney said they hope to have a person hired by the first week of August to attend training sessions in Madison, and get accustomed to the Platteville community.