Director of the Institute on the Common Good Paul Alexander facilitates the first university-neighborhood dialogue in Loyola Hall December 1.
A gentleman comments, "We've tried so many times to reason with this student, and yet, we feel disrespected. Parties two, three times a week. It came to a point where I had enough-I signed a complaint."
Another woman comments, "These kids are almost belligerent. There's a lack of respect. It astounds me how these students act."
Partying and students' wild behavior was just one problem addressed during a dialogue entitled "Regis University-Berkeley Neighborhood Dialogue", held last Thursday night in Loyola Hall. Organized by Dr. Mary-Beth Callie, assistant professor of Communication, the dialogue was meant to bridge the community surrounding Regis and the university itself as a way to find solutions for ongoing problems facing the area.
"It started out as a small idea," said Dr. Callie. "This meeting is the first step of what we hope will be a regular process of learning, listening, and collaborating with our neighborhood." With the help of the service learning coordinator, Melissa Nix, Dr. Callie wanted to focus her Introduction to Speech Communication class on the question, "what makes a healthy community" in light of Regis' mission statement, "how ought we to live?"
As inspiration for Thursday's discussion, Loyola 27 was transformed into a charming setup of holiday decorations and delicious food catered by Dubbel Dutch. Attending the event were 4 members of the Highlander staff, 3 freshmen from Callie's Public Speaking class, members from the Regis Communication Department, administrators, and neighbors surrounding the university.
"[In the Intro to Speech class], we talked about the concepts of walkability, livability, and community development," expressed Callie. "We thought it was important that the students begin to meet and talk with our neighbors who live across the street, to hear your perspectives on living in the neighborhood, on the assets and challenges of the of the Regis-Berkeley neighborhood."
Paul Alexander, director on the Institute on the Common Good facilitated the four key threads addressed at the event, including parking and the future plans for K-Mart lot, student partying, revitalizing 50th and Lowell, and Regis as a neighbor and valuable resource. The dialogue, however, mainly focused on parking and student partying, raising many important issues and implications among members of the community.
A faculty member commented on parking, "The problem concerns not only students but we as faculty as well. It's just as frustrating," she said. "And when I'm in a crunch to be in time for class, I'm forced to park among the neighboring streets already congested with cars. I feel bad, but I can't help it."
An estimated 3000 students and staff are on campus daily, yet, only 1500 parking spots are available.
"We're already pretty close to the maximum capacity our university can hold," said Karen Webber, vice-president of University Services, elaborating on the university's plans with parking and K-mart. "Construction, however, will hopefully be done around August 2006, in time for the Fall semester."
Also heavily discussed last Wednesday was student partying, and their negative effects on neighboring households.
"I hate to say it, but these students are a reflection of Regis University," said one woman. "They degrade what's supposed to be a positive image."
"Don't get us wrong," said another woman. "Regis has been a great part in the community. We just want these problems to get better. We want the students to know who we are, to understand that it's not only their lives, but ours too."
Neighbors living in vicinity of Regis "party houses" raised a plethora of issues, from left over trash, indecent driving late at night, property trespassing, and retaliation, just to name a few. The dialogue provided an outlet for many to voice their concerns of such issues. Strong emphasis was placed on "bettering the relationships" among Regis students and the neighboring community.
"I think if students get to know us better, they'd understand," said one woman. "We have a rich, rich community out here. It's a great group of people."
Alexander finally asked the group, "What steps can we take as a community to start addressing these problems?"
The participants, anticipating an opportunity of change, answered hopefully. They brainstormed multiple ideas as stepping stones to help improve the Regis-Berkeley neighborhood relationship. Members of the newly-formed "BRUN" Association (Berkeley-Regis United Neighbors), an extension of the existing Berkeley Neighborhood Association, also expressed that they are looking forward to working with Regis. A meeting is already scheduled for next February in the spring semester.
As the dialogue advances, the Highlander will be covering the issue as a form of "civic journalism," supporting the dialogue's main goal of bridging the university and surrounding neighborhoods. The paper will especially focus on the relationships of the University's neighbors, profiling individuals and the area's rich history.
"Yes," agreed one woman. "If [the students] only knew the history, the people in their vicinity, maybe we can all move forward."