Cities prepare for return of students, parties
With classes resuming next week, municipalities are gearing up for the return of college and university students — and their partying habits.
Brock University plans to take a proactive stance with its off-campus students wit through its Extensive Neighbourhood Relations Initiative.
Brad Clarke, Brock’s director of student life community experience, said the university will focus its effort on having students see themselves as a part of the community in which they reside.
“We’re very excited about our welcome week initiatives this year and having those be a great jumping off point for a successful year for students both on and off campus,” Clarke said.
Some of Brock’s initiatives include Good Neighbour campaigns and Good Neighbour Awards which encourage and reward students for having a positive impact on their community.
Niagara Regional Police also plan to focus on student involvement.
“We hope to ensure that the welcome of the students to the Niagara region is one of mutual respect,” Const. Phil Gavin said in an email.
“We would like to see the students be a part of the community — not just live in it. An important element of that is being a good neighbour.”
Ryan Huckla, president of the Niagara College student administrative council, said the college will hand out Good Neighbour
Guides around its Welland and Niagara-onthe-Lake campus in September, as it does every year.
Huckla said complaints regarding off-campus students have decreased in recent years.
The guides, which can be found on the college website, inform students of local bylaws and provide tips on how to be a good neighbour.
“Be a good neighbour, respect others and please understand many neighbours have lived in this area all their lives,” the packages reads.
The guide also includes information for residents on how to report any issues, such as noise and parking concerns, to the municipality.
As part of Brock’s proactive measures, campus security will patrol neighbourhoods in Thorold and St. Catharines during peak times of the year, such as Brock’s homecoming ,which is scheduled for Sept. 21 and 22.
Homecoming welcomes back Brock students and alumni for a weekend of activities, but has been problematic in the past. Last year, several hundred students gathered on Winterberry Boulevard off Richmond Street in Thorold on the Friday night of the homecoming celebration, creating a “disruption,” said Clarke. The students broke up once police were called to the scene.
Following the incident, Clarke said, there was discussion on initiatives to address partying in residential areas, with a particular focus on controlling St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. While Winterberry was quiet on St. Patrick’s Day, thousands of students partied on Jacobson Avenue behind the Pen Centre, to the anger of many residents.
Should similar situations arise this year, Brock and police have plans to deal with problematic residences.
Gavin said the NRP will have an increased presence in areas historically identified as hubs for off-campus housing.
“This may include proactive visits to identified residences that have been problematic,” he added.