Center has expanded since starting 5 years ago

by Benjamin Roode
Senior Campus Writer

During the past five years the Center for Student Advocacy has performed more than 5,000 consultations for Ohio University students — and its resident lawyer hopes to serve even more.

The CSA started in 1997 to inform OU students living off campus of legal action they could take to settle landlord disputes and assist with minor legal affairs. But since its inception, the center has expanded to include courtroom representation and mediation in student conflicts.

The CSA aids1,200 to 1,500 students each year, said Dave Baer, resident lawyer for the CSA. CSA representatives also speak at workshops and refer some patrons to mediators.

Students pay $5 each quarter if they wish to access CSA services. Students referred to the Athens Area Mediation Service by CSA do not have to pay a mediation fee, which they would have to do if they went directly to the service, Baer said.

N. Victor Goodman, a partner at a Columbus law firm, was a member of the OU Board of Trustees when the board approved forming the CSA. He said while the CSA’s role has expanded beyond what the board intended, board members have been pleased with its progress.

“We didn’t think it was appropriate for the center to be in court,” he said. “They’d be competing with local counsel and local attorneys.”

But Baer said CSA has served students by expanding. Representing students in court as well as providing legal advice has saved some students from convictions for minor offenses.

Baer said the CSA hopes to expand its services even further. For example, CSA representatives are celebrating the center’s five-year anniversary by launching a new Web site.

The site (http://www.studentlegalrights.org) will offer advice on credit card fraud and other credit problems, applications for expunging criminal records and printable house fliers for parties.

“We have better graphics, it’s easier to navigate and it’s much more user-friendly,” Baer said.

OU Student Senate members brought the original idea for CSA to the OU Board of Trustees five years ago and persuaded the board to approve the program, Goodman said. One of the main points of the proposal was that the center remain run by students.

The CSA now employs four full-time student employees as well as two lawyers and other staff, Baer said.

And students using the services said they are pleased with what their $5 a quarter brings them at the center.

OU sophomore Brad Steinebrey called the CSA after an item was missing from his residence hall room.

“Actually, OUPD stole a bong from my room,” Steinebrey said. “The police left a note that said to call them.”

Steinebrey said the CSA told him the police could have entered the room and searched illegally. He said the CSA advised him not to call the police back, and he has heeded that advice.

“Nothing’s really happened,” he said. “But I definitely thought it was good advice, and I have recommended them to friends.”