(10/4) The late-night rambunctiousness of several Mount Saint Mary’s students is causing more disturbances in town as of late, according to Deputy First Class Jason Ahalt. The university and the town are working together to educate students about being good neighbors and ensure that they take responsibility for their actions.
"After parties" of several student athletes living in and around town are a result of "maturity issues," Ahalt said. The after parties have resulted in destruction of town property and disorderly conduct issues.
Ahalt said that the students have been spoken to and provided a day of community service to clean up some of the issues they created.
"The majority of the students that live in the town … are perfectly fine," he said.
Ahalt said it must be reiterated to students, "We appreciate you; we want you here, we want you to have a good time, we want you to get an education, but you’re a guest.
"You only live here half the year for four years, these people live here their whole lives," he said.
The University's Office of Student Life and Mayor Don Briggs are individually visiting houses occupied by students to welcome them as well as remind them of Mount conduct expectations and potential consequences for off-campus students, discuss frustrations of residents and provide simple educational strategies on how to be good neighbors and responsible citizens, according to Vice President for Student Life Bernard Franklin.
In a meeting with all student-athletes at the beginning of the year, the Athletics Department addresses the expectations of student-athletes who live off campus, and coaches reinforce this message throughout the year. Fewer than 10% of student athletes live off campus. Violation of laws, whether convicted or not, or of University policy, whether the incident occurs on or off campus, breaches the University's student code of conduct.
Commissioner Frank Davis suggested providing overtime to patrolling deputies the first few days of the semester, "to let their presence be known."
"There’s great value in having the students here but at the same time we have to understand thresholds of behavior," said Council President Tim O’Donnell. He concurred with Ahalt’s recommendation to host a meeting with students prior to semesters to establish expectations of the town.
In spite of the rocky start for the new school year, Ahalt said he felt like "we're headed in the right direction."
