Comments on: Letter: It’s our neighborhood, too http://www.tommiemedia.com/opinions/its-our-neighborhood-too/ Campus, local and world news reported daily by University of St. Thomas students Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:14:33 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Maria Lancaster http://www.tommiemedia.com/opinions/its-our-neighborhood-too/comment-page-1/#comment-318 Maria Lancaster Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:25:00 +0000 http://www.tommiemedia.com/?p=1195#comment-318 Perhaps this has become a belabored topic, but I would like to offer a different perspective just the same. As a former Tommie and now a resident of Merriam Park I can honestly say that I am pleased with our Tommie neighbors, past and present. They have been approachable, sociable, and well-behaved. They have shoveled for us. They have hired my son to mow for them. I am grateful for their good example as my son looks up to them with hopes of attending UST himself. Maybe I have picked up a beer can or two, but I am ok with that. I understand and know what it is like to be a student. Perhaps this has become a belabored topic, but I would like to offer a different perspective just the same. As a former Tommie and now a resident of Merriam Park I can honestly say that I am pleased with our Tommie neighbors, past and present. They have been approachable, sociable, and well-behaved. They have shoveled for us. They have hired my son to mow for them. I am grateful for their good example as my son looks up to them with hopes of attending UST himself. Maybe I have picked up a beer can or two, but I am ok with that. I understand and know what it is like to be a student.

]]> By: Clark DuMontier http://www.tommiemedia.com/opinions/its-our-neighborhood-too/comment-page-1/#comment-270 Clark DuMontier Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:52:02 +0000 http://www.tommiemedia.com/?p=1195#comment-270 Maybe if public safety didn't make students feel so threatened instead of actually making them feel safe, they wouldn't travel in drunken packs off campus all the time. Any UST student would rather puke and pass out in a random lawn or bushes than risk walking back to campus and face the wrath of public safety - who inevitably is staked out trying to "bust" students. Maybe if public safety didn’t make students feel so threatened instead of actually making them feel safe, they wouldn’t travel in drunken packs off campus all the time. Any UST student would rather puke and pass out in a random lawn or bushes than risk walking back to campus and face the wrath of public safety – who inevitably is staked out trying to “bust” students.

]]> By: James Nelson http://www.tommiemedia.com/opinions/its-our-neighborhood-too/comment-page-1/#comment-266 James Nelson Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:17:39 +0000 http://www.tommiemedia.com/?p=1195#comment-266 Alaura has some very good points. However I would venture a guess that why she and her roommates have been shunned or largely ignored by her immediate neighbors goes back to Pavlov’s dog. We as neighbors have learned over the years to be cautious. Certainly St. Thomas students do good in the community, but in the immediate community? We as neighbors don’t see much of that good she speaks of. We see our children’s bikes being stolen; chairs from our front porches being broken over our own cars; endless trash in our yards and sidewalks. We see students driving down our neighborhood streets at break-neck speeds; students actually sitting in our yards talking on their cell phones late in the night. And when you go out to speak to them they are rude and drunk. The list goes on. The houses Alaura speaks of that St. Thomas forbids is not borne of some altruistic streak. The City of St. Paul made them buy those houses and sell them as single family dwellings because the party problem became so intolerable not only for the neighborhood but for the city as well. These are not isolated incidents. They happen every weekend throughout the school year. So it is difficult to have Tommie spirit and “look beyond your backyard after a Saturday night” when it is every Friday and Saturday night. We lived by Macalester and St. Kates and never had these problems. So the argument that "this is just what college kids do" is a myth. So Alaura, I am sorry you have not felt welcome. We as neighbors could do a much better job of welcoming students into our neighborhood and don’t want or mean to condemn every St. Thomas student. But understand we live here and raise our children here and will always strive to keep it the beautiful neighborhood it is. Alaura has some very good points. However I would venture a guess that why she and her roommates have been shunned or largely ignored by her immediate neighbors goes back to Pavlov’s dog. We as neighbors have learned over the years to be cautious. Certainly St. Thomas students do good in the community, but in the immediate community? We as neighbors don’t see much of that good she speaks of. We see our children’s bikes being stolen; chairs from our front porches being broken over our own cars; endless trash in our yards and sidewalks. We see students driving down our neighborhood streets at break-neck speeds; students actually sitting in our yards talking on their cell phones late in the night. And when you go out to speak to them they are rude and drunk. The list goes on. The houses Alaura speaks of that St. Thomas forbids is not borne of some altruistic streak. The City of St. Paul made them buy those houses and sell them as single family dwellings because the party problem became so intolerable not only for the neighborhood but for the city as well. These are not isolated incidents. They happen every weekend throughout the school year. So it is difficult to have Tommie spirit and “look beyond your backyard after a Saturday night” when it is every Friday and Saturday night. We lived by Macalester and St. Kates and never had these problems. So the argument that “this is just what college kids do” is a myth. So Alaura, I am sorry you have not felt welcome. We as neighbors could do a much better job of welcoming students into our neighborhood and don’t want or mean to condemn every St. Thomas student. But understand we live here and raise our children here and will always strive to keep it the beautiful neighborhood it is.

]]> By: Alaura Kramer http://www.tommiemedia.com/opinions/its-our-neighborhood-too/comment-page-1/#comment-247 Alaura Kramer Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:23:09 +0000 http://www.tommiemedia.com/?p=1195#comment-247 After reading this whole blog I find it amusing that the neighbors around St. Thomas only focus on the "negative" student behaviors. They NEVER comment on our excellence, Tommie spirit, and most of all hard work. As a student that lives off campus I want to speak out to my neighbors. I have lived in this neighbor for only five months and I think most, not all, but most neighbors judged me (and my roommates) from the day we moved in. We were automatically “labeled” or “tagged” a “college house” which I think is sad and judge mental. In the five months I have lived in that house I have spoken to only two neighbors hence those two were very kind and welcoming. But I have walked those sidewalks thousands of times and received many, many dirty glances and even heard other neighbors gossip about our “college house”. It’s pathetic. I, personally, have gone out of my way but they have not. A quick example, one summer night I was having a grill out with a four friends and we found a lost small dog. We took it in and read his collar and thankfully found his owner. We called the owner who lived on our block, the owner came and picked her dog up. She never said one word to us, not even thank you. What I’m trying to express is please look at WHO we are as a student body and everything we have accomplished. Elaine, you said yourself you went to UST years ago but I don't hear ANY Tommie pride in your statement, all I hear is complaining. I don't know you personally but I can make an educated guess that you haven't stopped by campus lately to check out all the marvelous events and programs that we have created and participated in. Have you even given a thought to how hard we, as students, work in our class, teams, and clubs to make our University, community, and world a better place? Please take a moment and think about that. Each one of us went to the University of St. Thomas because it’s different than any other campus around here. We are taught at St. Thomas to “make a difference in our world”. We are taught to make this world a better, happier, healthier, and more peaceful place for our next generations. How do we do this, you ask? Just check out some of our programs, events, and clubs on campus. For example: Gamma Sigma Sigma Service Sorority and Delta Sigma Pie Business Fraternity. Elaine, you mentioned you work at the U of M. Have you ever been over there when it gets dark? The fraternities at the U of M are having party after party, but St. Thomas bans all their sorority and fraternities from having houses to reduce the number of parties around campus. Maybe a thank you to UST is needed? Moving on to more admirable programs and clubs UST has... **Tutor/Mentor Program: where 100s of UST student dedicate their precious time to helping our youth and community. **Up til Dawn: another program that 100s of St. Thomas students participate in. It’s a program that we organize that donates over $85,000 to St. Jude’s Children research hospital to help fight cancer. **VISION a program where again 100s of UST student go to different states or even over seas to help the needy, poor, and sick. This year St. Thomas will have students going to five different countries and seven different states to make our world a better place to live, learn, and love. These are only a few….UST has many, many more. I encourage you to check them all out! Therefore, I suggest next time you speak out against our St. Thomas community you look beyond your backyard after a Saturday night. Feel free to visit our website to learn about how we, ALL OF ST THOMAS STUDENTS, are changing the world one step at a time. www.stthomas.edu After reading this whole blog I find it amusing that the neighbors around St. Thomas only focus on the “negative” student behaviors. They NEVER comment on our excellence, Tommie spirit, and most of all hard work.

As a student that lives off campus I want to speak out to my neighbors. I have lived in this neighbor for only five months and I think most, not all, but most neighbors judged me (and my roommates) from the day we moved in. We were automatically “labeled” or “tagged” a “college house” which I think is sad and judge mental. In the five months I have lived in that house I have spoken to only two neighbors hence those two were very kind and welcoming. But I have walked those sidewalks thousands of times and received many, many dirty glances and even heard other neighbors gossip about our “college house”. It’s pathetic. I, personally, have gone out of my way but they have not. A quick example, one summer night I was having a grill out with a four friends and we found a lost small dog. We took it in and read his collar and thankfully found his owner. We called the owner who lived on our block, the owner came and picked her dog up. She never said one word to us, not even thank you.

What I’m trying to express is please look at WHO we are as a student body and everything we have accomplished. Elaine, you said yourself you went to UST years ago but I don’t hear ANY Tommie pride in your statement, all I hear is complaining. I don’t know you personally but I can make an educated guess that you haven’t stopped by campus lately to check out all the marvelous events and programs that we have created and participated in. Have you even given a thought to how hard we, as students, work in our class, teams, and clubs to make our University, community, and world a better place? Please take a moment and think about that. Each one of us went to the University of St. Thomas because it’s different than any other campus around here. We are taught at St. Thomas to “make a difference in our world”. We are taught to make this world a better, happier, healthier, and more peaceful place for our next generations.
How do we do this, you ask? Just check out some of our programs, events, and clubs on campus. For example: Gamma Sigma Sigma Service Sorority and Delta Sigma Pie Business Fraternity. Elaine, you mentioned you work at the U of M. Have you ever been over there when it gets dark? The fraternities at the U of M are having party after party, but St. Thomas bans all their sorority and fraternities from having houses to reduce the number of parties around campus. Maybe a thank you to UST is needed?
Moving on to more admirable programs and clubs UST has…
**Tutor/Mentor Program: where 100s of UST student dedicate their precious time to helping our youth and community.
**Up til Dawn: another program that 100s of St. Thomas students participate in. It’s a program that we organize that donates over $85,000 to St. Jude’s Children research hospital to help fight cancer.
**VISION a program where again 100s of UST student go to different states or even over seas to help the needy, poor, and sick. This year St. Thomas will have students going to five different countries and seven different states to make our world a better place to live, learn, and love.
These are only a few….UST has many, many more. I encourage you to check them all out!
Therefore, I suggest next time you speak out against our St. Thomas community you look beyond your backyard after a Saturday night. Feel free to visit our website to learn about how we, ALL OF ST THOMAS STUDENTS, are changing the world one step at a time. http://www.stthomas.edu

]]> By: Elaine http://www.tommiemedia.com/opinions/its-our-neighborhood-too/comment-page-1/#comment-244 Elaine Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:46:07 +0000 http://www.tommiemedia.com/?p=1195#comment-244 Well, it sure seems like I hit a nerve with my open letter to the UST student body. Just to clarify, I was directing the letter specifically at those students who feel their rights as individuals to do whatever they like pre-empt anyone else’s. Certainly, this is not the entire student body and I’m sorry if anyone took it as such. There are a few students whose behavior overshadows the majority and therefore becomes the focal point of the issue. While I suppose I am “super old” at 46, I do understand college students, since I teach at both the Carlson School at the U of Mn and occasionally at St. Thomas. I have defended college student behavior to my neighbors and explained that a diverse community is part of the reason we moved into Merriam Park to many friends who have the incorrect impression that living so close to a college sucks. It doesn’t – and nor are most college students rude. All I was trying to get across was the need for everyone to realize that we all need to live together – and that means respecting each other – your right to party, my right to sleep peacefully at night. Well, it sure seems like I hit a nerve with my open letter to the UST student body. Just to clarify, I was directing the letter specifically at those students who feel their rights as individuals to do whatever they like pre-empt anyone else’s. Certainly, this is not the entire student body and I’m sorry if anyone took it as such. There are a few students whose behavior overshadows the majority and therefore becomes the focal point of the issue. While I suppose I am “super old” at 46, I do understand college students, since I teach at both the Carlson School at the U of Mn and occasionally at St. Thomas. I have defended college student behavior to my neighbors and explained that a diverse community is part of the reason we moved into Merriam Park to many friends who have the incorrect impression that living so close to a college sucks. It doesn’t – and nor are most college students rude. All I was trying to get across was the need for everyone to realize that we all need to live together – and that means respecting each other – your right to party, my right to sleep peacefully at night.

]]> By: James http://www.tommiemedia.com/opinions/its-our-neighborhood-too/comment-page-1/#comment-230 James Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:35:06 +0000 http://www.tommiemedia.com/?p=1195#comment-230 I am glad to see a healthy discourse on this subject. Yes, generalizations and sterotyping does happen. You may not like that, but to paraphrase Matt L. from his initial reply "that is not breaking news". A few really can create a poor reflection of the many. Unfortunately it appears so far that those whose actions we are discussing don’t seem to be participating in this process. So to those of you who are offended by the sweeping generalization of the letter–-stand up and do something about it. Writing a letter to the school paper is a good first step. Do more. Forward the letter onto the University administration. Tell them you upset that such a few can cast a bad light on the whole student body. Voice your opinion—Facebook, Twitter or in person to friends. Be outraged that you are lumped in with students who act like this. Personal responsibility does not stop with oneself, it is also about holding others accountable for their actions that will directly or indirectly affect you. If that is not apparent yet it will be at some point in the future. I disagree with J.W.'s comment, apparently to some of you it does seem to be a concern for the student body and for that I am grateful. Truly I hope more students are offended by the actions of their classmates and will choose to voice their opinions and take some small step to hold them accountable. I am glad to see a healthy discourse on this subject. Yes, generalizations and sterotyping does happen. You may not like that, but to paraphrase Matt L. from his initial reply “that is not breaking news”. A few really can create a poor reflection of the many. Unfortunately it appears so far that those whose actions we are discussing don’t seem to be participating in this process. So to those of you who are offended by the sweeping generalization of the letter–-stand up and do something about it. Writing a letter to the school paper is a good first step. Do more. Forward the letter onto the University administration. Tell them you upset that such a few can cast a bad light on the whole student body. Voice your opinion—Facebook, Twitter or in person to friends. Be outraged that you are lumped in with students who act like this. Personal responsibility does not stop with oneself, it is also about holding others accountable for their actions that will directly or indirectly affect you. If that is not apparent yet it will be at some point in the future. I disagree with J.W.’s comment, apparently to some of you it does seem to be a concern for the student body and for that I am grateful. Truly I hope more students are offended by the actions of their classmates and will choose to voice their opinions and take some small step to hold them accountable.

]]> By: Lawrence B. http://www.tommiemedia.com/opinions/its-our-neighborhood-too/comment-page-1/#comment-215 Lawrence B. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:39:41 +0000 http://www.tommiemedia.com/?p=1195#comment-215 I have to disagree with you, Pat. What is selfish about those comments? He's right - the author of this letter came out guns-a-blazing accusing every St. Thomas student of said behavior. That is not civil and is certainly not a way to improve the situation. I'm glad he said that - someone needed to. I have to disagree with you, Pat. What is selfish about those comments? He’s right – the author of this letter came out guns-a-blazing accusing every St. Thomas student of said behavior. That is not civil and is certainly not a way to improve the situation. I’m glad he said that – someone needed to.

]]> By: J.W. http://www.tommiemedia.com/opinions/its-our-neighborhood-too/comment-page-1/#comment-204 J.W. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:35:57 +0000 http://www.tommiemedia.com/?p=1195#comment-204 "Instead of being outraged that the writer had the audacity to complain, why not ask what you can do to improve the situation? The writer explained her position in a civil way; why not you, too?" So I'm guessing that sweeping generalizations are the very definition of civility? And this is not a community-wide problem where we all have to band together to "improve the situation." Any conflict here is caused by a few careless individuals, whose actions are rude and irresponsible, yes, but that is not the fault or concern of the entire student body. “Instead of being outraged that the writer had the audacity to complain, why not ask what you can do to improve the situation? The writer explained her position in a civil way; why not you, too?”

So I’m guessing that sweeping generalizations are the very definition of civility? And this is not a community-wide problem where we all have to band together to “improve the situation.” Any conflict here is caused by a few careless individuals, whose actions are rude and irresponsible, yes, but that is not the fault or concern of the entire student body.

]]> By: Pat http://www.tommiemedia.com/opinions/its-our-neighborhood-too/comment-page-1/#comment-203 Pat Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:36:25 +0000 http://www.tommiemedia.com/?p=1195#comment-203 Matt: As a UST alum, I'm so embarrassed by the selfishness of your comments. Instead of being outraged that the writer had the audacity to complain, why not ask what you can do to improve the situation? The writer explained her position in a civil way; why not you, too? Mature people certainly remember what it was like to be young. But, sorry, youth doesn't excuse rudeness. If you were a law-abiding, tax-paying homeowner proud of the community in which you live, you'd take exception to others trashing the place and keeping your family up at night. Matt: As a UST alum, I’m so embarrassed by the selfishness of your comments. Instead of being outraged that the writer had the audacity to complain, why not ask what you can do to improve the situation? The writer explained her position in a civil way; why not you, too? Mature people certainly remember what it was like to be young. But, sorry, youth doesn’t excuse rudeness. If you were a law-abiding, tax-paying homeowner proud of the community in which you live, you’d take exception to others trashing the place and keeping your family up at night.

]]> By: Tony B http://www.tommiemedia.com/opinions/its-our-neighborhood-too/comment-page-1/#comment-197 Tony B Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:26:29 +0000 http://www.tommiemedia.com/?p=1195#comment-197 Although i agree that its wrong to generalize us like that, I don't necessarily think that's what she's doing. I sort of took it as more of a "if you're one of these people, listen" If you're not doing anything wrong, chances are, nobody's mad at you. Although i agree that its wrong to generalize us like that, I don’t necessarily think that’s what she’s doing. I sort of took it as more of a “if you’re one of these people, listen” If you’re not doing anything wrong, chances are, nobody’s mad at you.

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