neighbor-to-neighbor-logoA stronger ordinance to quell unruly house parties. Improved orientation materials and programs that help students understand what it means to live in a historic neighborhood. A new neighbor relations website.

Those are just a few of the tangible results the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) has helped shape in recent months during a series of robust conversations focused on a strong commitment to solving neighborhood issues and improving relations between Chapman University and the residents of Orange.

There is still much work to do, but the progress so far has been solution-oriented and significant, said Jack Raubolt, vice president of community relations at Chapman University.

“We discuss the cause of issues and work on solutions that best work for our neighbors, our students and the University,” Raubolt said.

Following is a summary of the committee’s work and progress since its formation in November 2015.

Seven Discussion Topics

Early on, the committee targeted five issues for study. They included expanded student housing; parking; party houses; university growth; and the naming of a primary lead person for community interaction. Since then, two more issues have been identified: mitigation efforts from the prior Environmental Impact Reports and the Undie Run.

Highlights of discussions and results include:

  • The committee heard reports on the party house situation from the City of Orange Police Department, Chapman Public Safety and Chapman’s dean of students. It was noted that of the 700 unruly party calls the City typically receives, about 18 percent involve Chapman students. Among the key results was the creation of a plan and accompanying handouts and brochures produced by the University to better acquaint students with the Code of Conduct and consequences for disorderly behavior in the community. In June, the City of Orange approved a stronger party ordinance, which reflected recommendations suggested by the NAC.
  • In January the University created and filled the position of vice president of community relations to give residents a single point of contact for concerns and questions.
  • Regular communications from the University were expanded through the new website, NeighborsofChapman.com, and more frequent mailings of the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Newsletter.
  • Likewise, in April a task force of the committee contributed recommendations as the City develops a new ordinance that holds landlords more responsible for the noise and party infractions incurred by their tenants. The task force also recommended zoning changes that would prohibit landlords from transforming single-family homes into mini-dorms.

In May and June, both the City and outside planning consultants presented comprehensive reviews of the previous Environmental Impact Report created for the existing Specific Plan.

In July, a newly-formed task force started discussions on the Undie Run. Several ideas, from route changes to better control of activities before and after the run, are being discussed.

New members were welcomed to the committee, including Pete Maddox, representing the Orange Chamber of Commerce replacing Pat Buttress, and added as resource members Captain David Nichols, representing the City of Orange Police Department and Chapman administrators Kris Eric Olsen, vice president of campus planning and operations; Randy Burba, chief of public safety; and Jerry Price, dean of students and vice chancellor for student affairs.

Next Steps

Going forward, the committee will discuss and create options and recommendations on the remaining issues. The committee meets every three weeks for one and one-half hours. Chapman University thanks the committee members for their time and dedication to the process.

Minutes from the NAC meetings and copies of documents and others materials presented to the NAC can be found on the Neighborhood Advisory Committee page within this site.