Should Tiffin University pay property taxes on Non-Education property?

[RCT Admin]

Customarily, Tiffin University has NOT paid taxes on any of the
property it owns. Should they?

Seldom has anyone questioned the wisdom of this financial "gimmee".
It made a lot of sense that the OHIO legislature made such provisions
for non-taxable educational use property...but that was over one-
hundred years ago when "educational" opportunities were NOT as robust
as they are today. Maybe the Responsible Citizens for Tiffin should re-
visit this at City Hall. It could help ease the tax crunch in a just
way!

For example, the sheer volume of dormitory space a hundred years ago
did NOT even exist. For most of its long history, Tiffin University
(TU) was able to grow and carry on its educational mission without
owning any dormitory or student housing of its own. Student growth
was, in part, made possible because regular citizens who had extra
rooms or apartments in their houses would fill the void...and make a
few dollars for their contribution...AND PAY property and income taxes
to our local government.

This scheme was GOOD for everyone! Non-university, regular citizens
who were private property owners made a few bucks, paid taxes on it,
and benefited Tiffin as a whole. Students had low cost living
quarters. Tiffin University gained because they did NOT have to build
dormitories requiring substantial capital outlays. The money TU
raised from alumni could be put toward better programming, endowed
chairs, and a growing endowment to benefit a much needed stability.
But all of that changed! Today, the Tiffin University wears the mask
of community leadership behind which student real-estate has become
big business. Regular Citizens, as well as many students, are locked
out of affordable private housing while University administrators
privately enure benefits such as high salaries and personal incomes
fron student real-estate investment, student-housing investment
opportunities, and a reputation for directing the vote of more than
one Tiffin City Council Members.

Other communities across our nation have been questioning the "no-
property-taxes-for-educational-use" practice. For many years, now,
towns with large college student populations have been quietly asking
their Universities to VOLUNTARILY ante up so the tax burden of regular
property owners could be eased in light of added student-caused wear
and tear and development needed to keep the town livable. Many of
these Universities have quietly respected the financial needs of the
town's regular citizens, and have quietly handed over millions and
millions of dollars...on a voluntary basis. Some financially-strapped
towns are considering an outright tax.

I like the "idea" of Tiffin University. And, for all of the real
estate they own, such as student housing, that could be provided by
private local tax payers; and the fact that they Don't need to own
more property to grow and operate a University, We should consider
requiring they pay property taxes on Student Housing.

Just think of the wisdom, here. The town benefits from higher tax
revenues. The neighborhoods and utilities can be maintained and
improved over time by EVERYONE who uses them, AND the Tiffin
University can relax by taking off the mask! Its the responsible
thing to do!

Best wishes,

Joe Monaco