Kimberly Fezza has been named coordinator of Cornell's newly created Off Campus Housing Office, which opened Jan. 15 in 401 Willard Straight Hall. A unit of the Office of the Dean of Students, the office provides education and resource services to help promote safety and a high quality of life for students living off campus.

For example, Fezza will provide information and referral services about rental options, serve as a liaison between the university and the Ithaca community and offer referral services during landlord-tenant disputes.

A longtime Ithaca-area resident, Fezza worked for 10 years as a realtor, office manager and tenant relations specialist. She also developed the Greek Life Services unit at the Shaw Law Firm in Ithaca, which managed case files for regional fraternities and sororities.

"We invite all students living off campus, undergraduates and graduate students alike, to visit this office and take advantage of the important services it provides," said Dean of Students Kent Hubbell.

The new office is the result of a collaboration between Cornell Vice President for Student and Academic Services Susan Murphy and Ithaca Mayor Carolyn Peterson, who expressed their mutual interest in building better relations between students and their neighbors.