The Government of the Student Body will vote Wednesday on whether to allocate $12,000 to build an off-campus housing Web site.

GSB originally developed a proposal to create an off-campus housing liaison office with a full-time director, part-time student employees and a Web site to show tenant and landlord responsibilities as well as available off-campus housing.

Because of the current state of the economy, a project of that magnitude was not feasible. However, the  Web site is a one-time cost that could directly benefit students in the near future.

“Currently, GSB has a difficult time in representing off-campus students,” said GSB president Daniel Fischer, senior in agricultural business.

Fischer said a Web site would be a way for GSB to help meet a need of both current and prospective off-campus students “through finding housing, roommates and a central resource of rules and regulations,” he said.

“It will give students access to all of the necessary resources in a much more condensed, readable format,” said GSB City Council liaison Molly Tracy, junior in political science.

The Information Technology Services at Iowa State estimated the cost of the project at $12,000. Fischer said IT Services will design the Web site with GSB’s advice on what is needed and wanted. Additionally, GSB will oversee the site, but IT Services will be responsible for the upkeep.

“The main cost of this site would be for the development of the posting system that enables property managers to post their openings, students to post roommate needs and subleasing opportunities and a communication system,” Fischer said.

The University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa already have Web sites that serve a similar purpose, and Fischer said Iowa State’s Web site will likely be modeled after the University of Iowa’s. Although he foresees concerns about the initial price from some senators, Fischer said the concerns could be clarified.

“The benefits that students can derive and money that can be saved makes the cost to benefit ratio very reasonable,” he said.

Fischer said he believes the Web site would get a tremendous amount of use, as the University of Iowa’s Web site had 50 new listings on Monday alone.

“Many first-time renters have a difficult time finding where to start, and this would provide many options,” Fischer said.

Tracy said many students run into problems when living on campus and don’t know where to find the answers. She said this Web site could be a great tool for those students.

Although the potential Web site comes with what some might consider a high price tag, students would be able to benefit from the site for years to come.

“I think as the Web site gets used more often in the future, we will hear more feedback about the Ames housing market, and we will be able to do a better job in developing rational goals and initiatives to help our off-campus students,” Fischer said.

GSB will also vote Wednesday on whether it will help fund this year’s One Community event.

The bill has been submitted to the finance committee for budget review. Lauren Suerth, senior in community and regional planning and Campustown senator, said that due to complications, the budget is still being finalized, but the estimated GSB contribution is $978.

The Ames City Council, Iowa State and GSB are collaborating to host the second One Community event, to be held April 24.

The event will take place at the Ames Fire Department, 132 Welch Ave. The celebration will begin at 4 p.m. and wrap up at 7 p.m.

Pizza and water will be provided. The event is free and is open to all students, faculty and Ames community members.

Suerth said the purpose of the event is to thank students for a successful school year and to educate students who plan to stay in Ames over the summer.

Suerth said the university did not contribute to last year’s event, but this year ISU Dining has committed to donating 500 water bottles and reusable mugs for the event.

Chamberlain Avenue will be closed between Welch Avenue and Stanton Avenue for the event.

“In addition, we hope to have yard games available to play, such as ladder ball and bags,” Suerth said.

GSB Vice President Maggie Luttrell, senior in history, organized the first One Community celebration last year, which she said was successful.

Despite last April’s cold and rainy weather, about 350 students attended the event, Luttrell said.

“As far as I know, I did get positive feedback, people enjoyed the opportunity at the end of the year to try one more time to meet city officials and make those connections,” Luttrell said.

The same could be said from GSB and the City of Ames perspective as well, she added.

“I hope that there will be more people this year since it’s on a Friday and it’ll be bigger and better then what I started,” Luttrell said.