Concern Expressed About Student Disconnect

Published with permission from OH email discussion, another take on the changing relationship between VCU students and the neighborhood: My observation is that there is an increasing trend for students living in our neighborhood and others surrounding VCU to be ever more and more oblivious to certain aspects of urban living and coexistence, including having […]

January 2, 2009; 12:49 PM • by Oregon Hill

Published with permission from OH email discussion, another take on the changing relationship between VCU students and the neighborhood:

My observation is that there is an increasing trend for students living in our neighborhood and others surrounding VCU to be ever more and more oblivious to certain aspects of urban living and coexistence, including having loud disturbing parties, putting trash on the sidewalk and even not getting towed during street cleanings. Where is the disconnect here? Are families not preparing their kids for independent college life?

Read the entire email for more…

This is slightly off topic from the VCU student party madness that has been such a problem here of late but I feel it to be relevant, especially to VCU administrators and SGA: The City cleaned streets on Wednesday on the west side of Cherry st and put up the requisite notices well in advance. Cars on the street after 8 AM were to be towed. Around 10:30AM that day I heard loud trucks outside and looked and tow trucks were removing 5 students cars from the 200 block of S Cherry in one fell swoop (this block is now all students and has been ground zero for party and trash problems). There may have been more towed earlier but thats what I saw. The day before was the other side and several students were towed from the eastern side of the 300 block (there is mostly no parking on eastern side of 200 block Cherry).

Now I wouldnt wish this on anybody, and would have banged on their doors if the cars werent already hooked up to the tow trucks. What disturbs me is that this seems to happen every time the streets get cleaned. The long time residents for the most part sweep the sidewalks in anticipation (and look forward to the cleanings which have become less frequent) and would call or knock if another neighbors car was in danger of being towed.

My observation is that there is an increasing trend for students living in our neighborhood and others surrounding VCU to be ever more and more oblivious to certain aspects of urban living and coexistence, including having loud disturbing parties, putting trash on the sidewalk and even not getting towed during street cleanings. Where is the disconnect here? Are families not preparing their kids for independent college life? Has VCU lowered their admittance standards that much? What about other important life coping aspects such as fire safety and being diligent and aware (student robberies are increasing from the no crime in Oregon Hill days of yore so the predators are noticing the dysfunction here as well).

I dont have the answers, but VCU should be aware of the trend. What can be done to bring students up to speed? Although they may not listen to the neighborhood association, perhaps “welcome sheets” should be furnished to students with tips for living independently in historic neighborhoods- perhaps at the VCU housing fair. I would hate to see a disaster occur in order to bring about some needed education and intervention here. By the way, the situation seems to have spiked adversely I’ve noticed since the recent hostile VCU encroachment into the neighborhood at Cary and Cherry, as if the kids seem to be emboldened by the VCU Administration’s disrespect toward this neighborhood.

Todd.

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January 2, 2009 12:49 PM 0