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.
VCU has actually raised admissions standards over the last few years…. for whatever that’s worth…..
I do think that a “welcome sheet” is a nice idea, but have a feeling it will just end up on the sidewalk with the red cups and other trash. I think landlords should take on more responsibility, tell the students about neighbors and sound and garbage and their consequences.
In other news,
A kid came out of 418 Laurel 3 nights ago and proceeded to piss on the sidewalk right in front of me and my house. When questioned by me about his actions he said, “oh sorry, I didnt even see you there” I later listened to a heated and very loud debate from the same house about how to get into bars without being of legal drinking age. No consensus was reached, but I dont think they needed any more to drink anyways.
I was shocked a few months back when I learned that VCU would not police the neighborhood or take any responsibility for it’s students here. If a kid gets caught doing graffiti in the fan he not only goes to jail, but gets kicked out of vcu. VCU should step up and their should be academic consequences for other illegal behaviors…..
“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,”
What are the numbers to support the notion that it’s a behavioral trend, rather than simply a factor of having more students in the neighborhood? With literally more houses in Oregon Hill than 10 years ago, I’m guessing–but don’t know–that there are more students.
On our end of the Hill, we have a much quieter and somewhat cleaner street than 10 years ago when the Chuckwagon was in full swing.
Im basing my premise on the fact that in my corner of Oregon Hill (which admittedly borders the University), in the last 9 years since i’ve been here, the ratio of students to others has remained fairly constant with majority of the 100 and 200 blocks of Cherry being student rentals and a mixture on the 300 block. It wasnt till maybe 3 years ago that the neighbors and I have had to start calling police on problem parties- RPD would have those figures.
The way things are going, I have a feeling a lot more families and working people will be moving out in the near future, at least in this part of Oregon Hill.
How would you know we are all VCU students living here?!
Whether or not the individuals or groups exhibiting this behavior are students, has no bearing in this matter. It comes down to the the simple act of consideration. This neighborhood is filled with unique and creative individuals. The respect one expects to be given to themselves should be afforded to others as well. I don’t think this is a case of complete negligence by VCU (although the disparity in the treatment of the Fan vs. Oregon Hill is disappointing). I like to have a good time and am guilty of plenty of stupidity, but I try to be conscious of my impact on others. I believe this is a case of inconsiderate young people, who have no concept (or don’t care to) of what is acceptable behavior in a neighborhood like this. With that said, it does seem like landlords and neighbors need to take a direct, sensible, effective approach to involve these residents.
A large university and nearby residential community are always going to have conflicts. Many students have no long term interest in the concerns of permanent residents. While highly criticized in some quarters, a Fan style “Party Patrol” may not be a bad idea or just good relations with the local police who can zero in on problem properties.
I had a similar experience recently. The night of the “Illlumination”, a taxi pulled up with neighbors, corner of Cherry and China, six beings all piled out and three young males just whipped out their “hoses” right in front of me at varous locations and peed without any awareness whatsoever…I said, “Hey, go do that in your own neighborhood.” to which the response was “F*** You, C*NT!.” This house(Cherry & China) has been a constant source of the exact same sorts of disconnected disrespect but the landlord attracts such jackasses for the most part!!!